(1/2)When I pet my cat along her back (mostly lower back), she tenses up and sometimes she threatens to bite me (opening her mouth and jerking her head towards me). This happens when I’ve stroked her 1-3 times, with no signs of over stimulation beforehand. Is it possible she’s in pain, or just doesn’t like being touched there? I got her in February of this year, and I’ve only really noticed this in the past few months. She’s indoors, fixed, and had an appointment right after I got her so if it’s

why-animals-do-the-thing:

pain the cause would have been more recent. I think she’s about 4, but the spca didn’t know since she was a stray. I’ve done a few google searches, but everything was inconclusive. I’m really worried about her. I’m taking her to a vet regardless, but I’m just hoping you have some insight. Thank you for running this blog ❤

I obviously can’t tell you for sure, but it sounds like it could definitely be caused by pain if it’s abnormal and doesn’t seem to be related to over-stimulation. Get her checked out by a vet to be sure (and I’d get someone to video the behavior before you go in, in case she shuts down in the vet office that they don’t get to see it). 

Does she tense up at all the first times you stroke her, or does she seem to not care until she reacts? 

Definitely take a video and show the vet either way, but some cats get overstimulated when being stroked along their backs. We have one who does pretty much the exact thing. She likes scritches along her scruff and between her shoulder blades, but down her back makes her antsy most of the time.