Dear Cathy,
I rescued a six-year-old part Siamese female about six months ago. I started noticing she has a long ridge of fur along her spine when she is relaxed or sitting, similar to that of a (Rhodesian) Ridgeback dog. I don’t know if there is a connection, but she is also polydactyl on all four paws. I checked online, but there are no explanations for this trait. Do you have an answer for me?
— Rose, Massapequa, NY
Dear Rose,
While there is no cat breed that has a “ridge” along its spine as a breed trait, there are other cat owners who report that their felines have a narrow ridge of hair that stands up neatly along their spines while resting. I have seen this narrow ridge of hair, mostly on short-haired cats. So, while not a specific breed characteristic, it may be something genetic in how the hair grows that results in sort of “cowlick” for cats. This should not be confused with a cat raising its hackles, which is the hair around the shoulders, along the spine, and along the tail that stands up when a cat is aroused or in fear.
For my readers, polydactyly, which means “many digits,” is the congenital anomaly of having more toes than normal. Typically, cats have 18 toes, five on their front paws and four on the back paws. The record for polydactyl cats, however, is 28 total toes. As far as I know, there is no genetic connection between polydactyl cats and the gentle ridge of hair along the spine.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, children’s author, syndicated pet columnist, and pet expert with more than 30 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal
Sherr Figurny
I have a white med long haired cat with a ridge on her back the length of her back, she is 6 and it seems the older she gets the more it stands up especially when she’s standing,It lays down whe she’s sleeping.It’s very different looking.
Hi Sherri, what a great question. Please check out this column I wrote from someone with the same question.
https://cathyrosenthal.com/blog/2021/12/21/why-do-some-cats-have-a-ridge-of-fur-along-their-backs/#:~:text=I%20have%20seen%20this%20narrow,of%20%E2%80%9Ccowlick%E2%80%9D%20for%20cats.
Sherr Figurny
I have a white med long haired cat with a ridge on her back the length of her back, she is 6 and it seems the older she gets the more it stands up especially when she’s standing,It lays down whe she’s sleeping.It’s very different looking.
Hi Sherri, what a great question. Please check out this column I wrote from someone with the same question.
https://cathyrosenthal.com/blog/2021/12/21/why-do-some-cats-have-a-ridge-of-fur-along-their-backs/#:~:text=I%20have%20seen%20this%20narrow,of%20%E2%80%9Ccowlick%E2%80%9D%20for%20cats.
I adopted a cat from a local shelter back in January. She’s now 20 months old. She has a ridgeback too. I’ve had many cats in my life but this is the first one with a ridgeback. At first I thought maybe it was anxiety because of a new home and all, but she’s completely settled now and I mostly see the ridge when she’s relaxed and content. She’s a European Short-hair, no specific breed. No polydactyl, just the ridge 🙂
Thank you for sharing this about your cat. It’s interesting to note that people are seeing it more often in their felines.
I adopted a cat from a local shelter back in January. She’s now 20 months old. She has a ridgeback too. I’ve had many cats in my life but this is the first one with a ridgeback. At first I thought maybe it was anxiety because of a new home and all, but she’s completely settled now and I mostly see the ridge when she’s relaxed and content. She’s a European Short-hair, no specific breed. No polydactyl, just the ridge 🙂
Thank you for sharing this about your cat. It’s interesting to note that people are seeing it more often in their felines.
My male siamese mix has a ridge all along his body like he was sewn together. It starts at his head with a longer ridge, goes all down his back and under his belly. He’s also double the size of my other cat that was born a week before him. He has HUGE paws & feet. If he’s not a special breed, he should be!
Can you share a picture? I would love to see what he looks like.
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My male siamese mix has a ridge all along his body like he was sewn together. It starts at his head with a longer ridge, goes all down his back and under his belly. He’s also double the size of my other cat that was born a week before him. He has HUGE paws & feet. If he’s not a special breed, he should be!
Can you share a picture? I would love to see what he looks like.
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Can you share a picture? I would love to see what he looks like.
Can you share a picture? I would love to see what he looks like.
My black kitty also has this ridge of standing hair when relaxed. I have pictures but. I way to share them. She is a short hair.
My black kitty also has this ridge of standing hair when relaxed. I have pictures but. I way to share them. She is a short hair.
I recently took in a young stray, she has white fur except for a patch of brownish fur mixed with white strands on her left ear and a little patch above her right eye, also her entire tail is this color. I noticed that along her back the fur was different, the hair was longer and looked coarser almost like bristles then the hair on the side of her body. The other day she was scared by the sudden sound of the printer in the other room. That coarse looking hair stood straight up from her neck to the end of her tail!!! Like a mohawk! I have never seen anything like it! Once she calmed down the hair laid down again. That is why I am here to see what breed of cat is she. I was told she looks to be mixed with siamese.
I don’t see a picture here, but if the hair raises along her back and neck when she is scared then those are the “hackles” that I describe in the column. Cats also puff themselves up when they are frightened to make themselves look bigger and more intimidating to whatever is scaring or threatening them. If you want to send me a picture at cathy@petpundit.com, I will be happy to take a look at your feline and see if I can identify the breed.
I recently took in a young stray, she has white fur except for a patch of brownish fur mixed with white strands on her left ear and a little patch above her right eye, also her entire tail is this color. I noticed that along her back the fur was different, the hair was longer and looked coarser almost like bristles then the hair on the side of her body. The other day she was scared by the sudden sound of the printer in the other room. That coarse looking hair stood straight up from her neck to the end of her tail!!! Like a mohawk! I have never seen anything like it! Once she calmed down the hair laid down again. That is why I am here to see what breed of cat is she. I was told she looks to be mixed with siamese.
I don’t see a picture here, but if the hair raises along her back and neck when she is scared then those are the “hackles” that I describe in the column. Cats also puff themselves up when they are frightened to make themselves look bigger and more intimidating to whatever is scaring or threatening them. If you want to send me a picture at cathy@petpundit.com, I will be happy to take a look at your feline and see if I can identify the breed.
Our cat, Joe, was rescued. He’s about three years old. Weighs 15 pounds. Gray short hair with white trim. He has developed a ridge back. He does not shed.
Our cat, Joe, was rescued. He’s about three years old. Weighs 15 pounds. Gray short hair with white trim. He has developed a ridge back. He does not shed.
We have a Ridgeback white kitts named Leo. 27 LBS, white fur, 7 toed, (paws the same size as baby feet), and lazy as f…udge. we also have 3 other kits, Leo is definitely the laziest critter I’ve ever met. And for such a big cat, he has a kitten voice.
That is one big cat! And polydactyl (multi-toed) as well. Sounds like the ridge is just part of his make-up if he is healthy otherwise.
We have a Ridgeback white kitts named Leo. 27 LBS, white fur, 7 toed, (paws the same size as baby feet), and lazy as f…udge. we also have 3 other kits, Leo is definitely the laziest critter I’ve ever met. And for such a big cat, he has a kitten voice.
That is one big cat! And polydactyl (multi-toed) as well. Sounds like the ridge is just part of his make-up if he is healthy otherwise.
A ridge along a cat’s back can sometimes signal an underlying health issue, though it’s generally not a reason for concern. In some cases, it could be due to muscle tension or spasms, especially if the area feels tight or stiff, which may happen in response to stress, pain, or discomfort. Less commonly, a noticeable ridge might result from a spinal alignment issue or skeletal abnormality. Changes in weight or muscle mass could also make the spine or muscles more prominent, causing a “ridge” appearance. Additionally, certain skin conditions or inflammations might create a raised effect along the back, particularly if the skin seems irritated or red. If Joe’s ridge is a recent development, it would be a good idea to check with your veterinarian. A quick exam can help determine if it’s part of his natural physique or if there might be an underlying health condition to address.
A ridge along a cat’s back can sometimes signal an underlying health issue, though it’s generally not a reason for concern. In some cases, it could be due to muscle tension or spasms, especially if the area feels tight or stiff, which may happen in response to stress, pain, or discomfort. Less commonly, a noticeable ridge might result from a spinal alignment issue or skeletal abnormality. Changes in weight or muscle mass could also make the spine or muscles more prominent, causing a “ridge” appearance. Additionally, certain skin conditions or inflammations might create a raised effect along the back, particularly if the skin seems irritated or red. If Joe’s ridge is a recent development, it would be a good idea to check with your veterinarian. A quick exam can help determine if it’s part of his natural physique or if there might be an underlying health condition to address.