How do cat's Puff up the way they do when they are scared.?

Question

How do they do it muscles or what ???

Answer 1

The "puffing up" is an involuntary reflex to make themselves look larger to the enemy.

Answer 2

Here's the cool thing on this -- it's all fur and appearance, almost an optical illusion. And often their not even scared!

When a cat is confronted the first thing they want to do is intimidate the opposition. They go through several steps to achieve this. First their tail goes up and "poofs" out -- amazingly this can make the tail look to be four times bigger; next they arch their back -- this also cause most of their body fur to stand on end; turn sideways; and finally turn their face forward with jaws open towards the opposition -- often (depending on the proximity of the opponent) raising a paw as well.

In combination this can make a 12 pound tabby look like 50 pounds of romping stomping ready to go bobcat. An aggressor is now suddenly confronted with what appears to me much more feline than they had expected -- often the other animal will pause at this moment and many members of the cat family will use this hesitation to become vocal. Hissing, growling and spiting usually are enough at this point to deter any aggressor.

While dogs have a strong flight instinct when fighting with other animals -- specifically other dogs -- cats seem to have a flight instinct point that only goes so far. Sadly, cats brought in to vets that have had severe fights with raccoons, dogs, etc. are more battered than their canine counterparts. It appears cats will only engage in fleeing to a certain degree -- then turn and attack their pursuers regardless of size or circumstance.

Answer 3

Yes, cats have muscles underneath their skin in a way that we do not; they have a lot of control over moving their coat. We humans have some small muscles for our hair (that is how we get "goose bumps), but they are small and we don't have voluntary control of them.

Answer 4

For some reason my cat only puffs up her tail. It's hilarious. I dunno why she decided that's the only part of her that needs to look bigger, but she looks like a cat with a bristle brush on her tail.

Answer 5

they probably dop it because they get scared and they make all of their fur stand on end. kind of like what we humans do when we get the goosebumps.

Answer 6

its the same way like when we humans get cold our hairs rise or when the same thing happens to them