Odd cat behavior

[hifiguy]

Just recently I noticed my cat doing something he, nor my previous cat, ever did.

He's an 18# fixed male rescue cat that looks like a Turkish Van, about 10 years old.

I was scratching his back, just behind the side of his rib cage and he arched his neck back and started "licking the air" for want of a better description. I stopped scratching him and he stopped his odd behavior, which resumed when I began scratching again.

He's a perfectly healthy and happy cat, but I've never seen a cat do this.

What is this inscrutable feline trying to tell me???

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. i have seen that before

kind of like the cat version of a dog "cranking his motorcycle"

sort of an involuntary (knee-jerk) reaction.

[HopeHoops]

2. That he's too fat to turn around and actually lick himself - mine does that too.

It's more that you just hit that "cat spot" that gives them the urge to lick. If he's in a comfortable position, he probably WON'T turn around, but if there's a dog or another cat nearby, or even part of your body, that's likely to get licked instead of the air.

[emilyg]

3. One of mine does that - he's

telling you he likes it.

[mikeytherat]

4. That's the Sweet Spot.

All of my cats have that one scritch spot that makes them lick the air and freeze.

mikey_the_rat

[hifiguy]

5. Thanks, all.

I knew if there was a place to get a fast answer to a kitty question it would be here. :)

[Indi Guy]

6. I wonder what would happen...

...if you were to scratch its back while holding a slice of jalapeno near its mouth.

[hifiguy]

7. That wicked thought actually passed through my mind

because I always keep fresh hot chilies - usually habaneros - in the house. But he's too good a cat to play such a nasty trick on.

[Angry Dragon]

8. You might end up with a 'HELL FIRE CAT'

[mockmonkey]

9. odd, but can he sing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqafYTKBpss&feature=related

[Brigid]

12. Now that is hilarious!

:rofl:

[MikeW]

10. we had a cat that did that while sleeping ... must have been dreaming of cleaning LOL

[UTUSN]

11. "odd" and "cat" and "behavior" ALL linked together?!1 ( I'm a dog person, need I say?!1) n/t

[rurallib]

13. it's normal and fun once you find the spot.

[GoCubsGo]

14. I just found "the spot" on my kitty.

I never saw the air-licking thing before, although I never looked. I have seen plenty of other strange behavior from this one, however. She's quite the weird-o.

[GReedDiamond]

15. My cat does that...

...others I've had did not.

[Flaxbee]

16. you just got his licky spot

Several of our cats have them - it's almost like you're tickling them. Two of our felines (our third beloved had a MAJOR licky spot - he passed away a few years ago) lick the air, two of the other felines nibble their paws like they do when cleaning themselves, and two other felines seem totally unaffected.

It's normal. :)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Cat behavior is odd

whenever they are awake.

[WolverineDG]

18. I have cats that do that

weirdos.

dg

[provis99]

19. it's an involuntary nerve reaction.

Some cats like to be patted on the bottom; hit the right spot, and they mewl with joy.