It came as a surprise to many that cats can also walk in sync. Under normal circumstances, when a cat walks, the sequence of limb movement is right front, left hind, left front, right hind. This mode of walking is known as the feline walk.
Strangely, despite having four feet, only two footprints are left on the ground. This is because with each step, the cat’s hind foot will firmly step on the footprint of the front foot, with the two footprints completely overlapping. Each step appears so elegant and composed; this feline walk is a result of the cat’s long-term evolution, which helps to minimize the traces left behind and not startle prey. However, some cats move their limbs in the sequence of right hind, right front, left hind, left front, which looks somewhat comical, akin to human sync walking.
In fact, this mode of walking is a result of the cat’s careful calculation. Scientists have found that cats walking in sync swing each step towards the inside of their body, leaving footprints that are almost in a straight line. This sync feline walk allows cats to easily pass through narrow paths, and with this skill, cats are adept at leaping from roof to wall.
There is also a type of cat that cannot walk normally and only walks in sync. Such cats are usually due to incomplete cerebellar development, leading to unstable balance and uneven force when walking, and they typically do not run fast. They are prone to falling, have poor body coordination, and these cats are referred to as “problematic cats,” mostly occurring in the kitten stage. Cat caretakers can provide calcium-rich food for the cats, and as the cats age, the situation will gradually improve.
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