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| Quick answer: Cats often walk sideways because they’re playing, feeling startled or trying to make themselves look bigger. Kittens will often do a kind of ‘crab walk’, which is both endearingly cute and often hilarious. It’s how they practise hunting and defending themselves. We know our cats are pampered little prince and princesses, but they still think they’re predators who need to hunt and protect themselves. It can also be a reaction to a loud noise or sudden movement. Often walking sideways is totally normal and nothing to worry about. But if your cat suddenly starts doing this without playful body language or if they don’t seem steady on their feet, then it might indicate an injury or medical problem. |
🐈⬛Your Cat is Playing
Playing is the most common reason why your cat is walking sideways.
Kittens will often hop sideways, arch their back, puff up their tail and make exaggerated movements before sprinting off. It’s a ‘crab walk’, and it’s just them practising stalking, pouncing, and acting defensively. They’re learning how to judge a threat, react quickly, make themselves appear bigger (and therefore more threatening) as well as judging distance. It’s like practicising dance moves ahead of a competition or first wedding dance.
Don’t be offended if these moves are directed at you, it’s not personal!
You’ll often see this behavior when they’re having the ‘zoomies’, as it’s often accompanied by a burst of energy. If your cat quickly returns to normal afterwards, then there’s likely nothing wrong.
🐈⬛ There’s a Threat
Another reason a cat will walk sideways is because they’re feeling threatened. They may feel intimidated or unnerved by an animal, like a dog or another cat. By moving sideways, the cat can keep the threat in their direct line of sight while moving away from it. This means they don’t have to risk turning their back on it. But also, by approaching or retreating side-on, your cat appears larger to its opponent. When doing this they’ll also often fluff up their fur and tail and arch their back. Approaching side-on also makes it easier for cats to use their back claws when defending themselves. This is a display of strength that will hopefully be enough to make the other predator think twice about starting or continuing the fight.
🐈⬛ Your Cat is Startled
Sideways walking can also be in response to loud noises or an unsettling experience. If a cat is suddenly nervous or spooked by something, it may scurry sideways to get away. This may trigger that defensive behavior they’ve been practising since kittenhood. This is probably the most common time we see this in our adult cat. If I drop something onto the floor or if there’s a sudden noise that startles her, she’ll react this way, but will be calm seconds later when there’s no threat.
🐈⬛When Should You Worry?
If your cat is walking sideways all the time, seems unsteady, has a head tilt, is falling over, or just isn’t acting normally, then it’s worth arranging a veterinary examination. Balance problems can sometimes happen because of an ear infection, injury or neurological issue, so you can’t always assume this behavior is playful. Ruling out injury is especially important for cats that spend time outdoors as they may have been hurt and hiding it.
But if your cat is only walking sideways briefly during play or after being startled and then returns to normal, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
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