Cats tend to exhibit strange behavior every now and then. You may observe them meowing loudly, purring with their mouth open, or hiding under pillows and blankets. How about if your cat won’t sit down all the way?
Some common reasons why your cat won’t sit down all the way may include arthritis, stress, constipation, or injury. The dilemma is how to pinpoint what’s the exact cause and the ideal treatment.
Why won’t a cat sit down all the way?
It’s normal to worry if you notice your cat with an abnormal posture like if she’s not sitting down properly or all the way. A consultation with your vet is the right thing to do. It’s important to assess what’s causing her to act like that.
Here are a couple of reasons why a cat won’t sit down all the way.
Arthritis
One probable cause why your kitty is not sitting down all the way is because of arthritis and joint pain. As cats mature, their cartilages between the bones start to deteriorate and the joints gradually lose their flexibility. It makes any kind of movement like jumping or sitting down a struggle because your pet experiences chronic pain.
Arthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD) usually affects the lower back, elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and hocks, or ankles in humans. Surprisingly, even young cats may develop arthritis as a result of trauma or infections.
The signs of arthritis, aside from the inability to sit down all the way. are the following:
- difficulty in going up or down the stairs
- stiffness
- less active and playful
- decreased ability to jump up or down
- decreased grooming or over-grooming a painful area
- withdrawn, always hiding, clingy
- not using the litter box
- aggressive when touched or towards other cats
Injuries
Cats sometimes experience fractures and ligament damage due to falling from heights, fighting with a fellow cat, or miscalculated landings. If you suspect that your pet cat has been injured or fractured because she’s not sitting down all the way then carefully and gently assess your cat’s body for signs. Be sure to protect yourself by wearing gloves if she becomes aggressive.
Constipation
Your pet cat may also be experiencing constipation that’s why she’s not sitting down all the way. Constipation causes great pain to the rectum and prevents cats from properly sitting down. It happens when your pet cat hasn’t passed stools for more than a day. Other symptoms may include a tense abdomen, an occasional lack of appetite, hard and dry stools, straining which looks like your cat has difficulty in urinating, and a hunched posture.
Common causes of constipation among cats are the following:
- a sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- hair ingestion
- too much or not enough fiber in their diet
- hernia
- tumors near the pelvic region
- side effects of medication
- nerve disorder
Allergy
Your kitty may have allergies and her immune system has become overly sensitive even though these allergens are harmless for other pets. If cats come in contact with allergens they usually start to cough and sneeze and the body becomes swollen. As a result, your cat won’t sit down all the way because the rear is also swollen along with other parts of the body.
The other signs and symptoms of allergy in cats include:
- increased scratching due to itchy skin
- itchy and runny eyes
- itchy ears
- itchy back and base of the tail
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- chewing the paws, swollen paws
- snoring due to inflamed throat
Usual causes of allergy in cats:
- some types of food
- fleas and flea control products
- mold, mildew, and dust pollens
- perfumes
- cleaning products
- fabrics
- cigarette smoke
- rubber and plastic materials
- prescription drugs
Stress
Cats may also become stressed and anxious due to sudden changes in their environment or if separated from their companion animals. If you’re moving to a new house or there’s a new addition to the family or pets then these may stress out your pet cat, too. Signs that she’s stressed include rapid grooming, dilated pupils, and altered sitting posture such as not sitting down all the way.
The other signs of stress in cats include:
- diarrhea
- inappropriate scratching
- hiding or extra clinginess
- decreased appetite
Cat won’t sit down all the way: Treatment options
If you suspect that your pet cat has arthritis it’s best to consult your vet right away. He may conduct a physical exam, perform a diagnostic test, and take radiographs. Treatment options include prescription of pain medication, nutritional supplements to nourish the cartilage, and weight loss for cats that are arthritic and overweight.
If it’s an injury that’s making your cat unable to sit down all the way, then it’s best to bring her to the vet at once. Your vet may perform the necessary tests and treatment or surgery as deemed necessary.
If the culprit why your cat is not sitting down properly is constipation then you should also consult your vet right away. There are also remedies that you can try at home if for any reason you can’t visit the vet right away. These remedies include the following:
- encourage your cat to be more active through interactive playtime
- increase hydration
- improve fiber intake
Should the strange posture of your cat a result of allergies, take your kitty to the vet immediately. Your vet will do a thorough physical examination and determine the source of the allergic reaction. He may also do skin or blood tests and a special elimination diet to determine the cause.
If your pet cat won’t sit down all the way due to stress, then make sure that your pet cat gets adequate play and cuddle time. Play soothing music and eliminate noise sources at your home so your pet cat will become calm and relaxed. Using a Feliway diffuser and spray is also helpful to alleviate stress. Providing scratching posts and cat perches may also help your stressed cat to regain her normal composure again.
Conclusion
The causes why your cat won’t sit down all the way may be due to injuries, arthritis, constipation, stress, or allergy. Whatever may be the cause, it’s important to always be sensitive and observant of your cat’s needs and behavior. Proper assessment of the cause and prompt consultation with your vet is beneficial to ensure your cat’s health.