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my cat runs like a monkey

post #1 of 8
Thread Starter 
This isn't really a problem, just an amusing thing I've noticed over the past month or so. My 1 and a half year old cat Memphis is very tall, he stretches out to over 3 feet when he's laying down. Since he's so tall and lanky (only 12 lbs at that length) he looks really funny doing certain things, like sitting and running. He always looks like he's enormous because he sits with his front paws next to each other, and he crouches like the room is too small for him.

We have a 60 foot long hallway in my apartment, and he loves to sprint up and down it. I've been noticing that he runs a lot like a capuchin or spider monkey on all-fours. His tails curls over like a monkey's, and he has a semi-sideways way of running (it's more of a hopping lope most of the time, his full-out sprint is straight and an arrow) that makes him look like an animal with hands that decided to run on all-fours.

Does anyone else have a cat that runs like this, or in any other strange fashion? My 3 month old kitten runs more like what I envision as "normal cat running," yet my girlfriend's DLH runs like a raccoon (he's bushy-looking like a racoon, moves just his paws when skirting across the ground, and keeps his bushy racoon tail completely still when he runs). So that's 2/3 of the cats I know that run like some other form of animal, and my kitten may grow into it before too long.

Memphis is in general a very species-confused cat. He has to be part siamese with his completely triangular head, enormous eyes and long body, but he has a perfect tuxedo pattern with a white chest, strip of white down the belly, and white shirt cuffs and socks (paws). We live three doors away from the fire station, and he sprints into the sunroom to watch them take off and come back every time. I believe he thinks he's half siamese, half dalmatian.

This is Memphis, he doesn't much like having my phone (don't own a camera) thrust in his face, in case you couldn't tell
LL
post #2 of 8
Have you checked out any physical problems that might make running look funny?
post #3 of 8
My cat runs exactly like how you're describing. He isn't my first cat so I noticed immediately and found it amazing that he does this. He is currently about ten months old, and has been doing this about since we got him at four months.
I always felt he's quite an unusual cat, not just the way he runs but the way he acts. He isn't near as afraid as some other cats, he won't run away from anything but rather crouch low (similar to the fashion you described) and he is fascinated with the swimming pool and even sticks his paws into it often. He actually plays fetch and will often bring his toys to us (mouse on a string, bouncy ball, etc) when he wants to play. He also sleeps with his tail curled in in the same way that he runs. Lastly, it was more apparent when he was younger because his fur has bushed out a little more, but he has a very triangular face (we called him "batface") so I wonder if there is some cross-breeding going on (maybe siamese run this way?) but he is entirely black in color.
post #4 of 8
My super long boy does this too - not all the time (when he is REALLY haulin butt he runs normally) it's more when he is being goofy he does it... his front end BOUNDS up and down like a monkey. It's adorable and silly and I chalk it up to him being quirky. I do think the kitty length has something to do with it too though. My boy - like yours is long long long (He is part ragdoll).
post #5 of 8
What a handsome boy!!!
post #6 of 8
Queen Eva ran funny with her middle hitched up after her spay because the stitches were pulling I think. She runs "normal" now.

Be sure Memphis is pooping and peeing normally, and eating right, as the strange posture may indicate pain. If all is well, then I guess that's just his thing.
post #7 of 8
Our shelter has a cat that runs a little funny. One of our volunteers lovingly refers to her as the spider monkey. We noticed that she would swing one of her legs out from the hip instead of bending at the hip & knee. X-rays showed an old healed fracture. They thing that is the reason for her strange gait.
post #8 of 8
I see this was a thread from November!!! But, Memphis is a darling looking kitty! And looks mischeavous like a monkey. Handsome boy!!!
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