I know a lot of people might not see something like this as a big deal but I care for all creatures, including my cat a great deal. I don't know if cat's can have a mental illness but I'm afraid she might have one.
For the past month or so she has been acting extremely strange.
She's very well able to open the door to my bedroom because it's left ajar but she wants to come in and for some reason won't open it so she just sits out there crying to come in. It's so sad. She's always up in my room sleeping on my bed and it seems to be the only place she feels safe. When she's not sleeping in the bed she's running around staring at random things and then running away with the wits scared out of her. She also is doing something shes never done where she'll start freaking out and clawing up the ground and rolling around and panicking, jumping all over. You see it's very frustrating because I can't speak cat and can tell she's suffering a great deal. Does anyone know what might be going on?

I consider this a medical issue but I still don't know if it's in the right section.

[edit on 7-2-2009 by NativeAmerican]

Why don't you take your cat to the vet?

I would definitely have a vet check her out. You know it might be a physical problem like a tumor. Hope your little buddy gets better real soon.

May I ask, how old is the cat?

We have an older tom who gets, erm, "confused" at night, it's due to his age, basically--he just forgets where he is and gets scared when we're asleep and the place is too quiet.

Also possible for cats to have anxiety disorders, or... it could be losing hearing, another thing that affects nighttime behavior in older cats, as I understand it.

Either way--definitely should have a vet look into it, see what they recommend.

Good luck!

I've never had a cat but I have a dog who as old as dirt... like maybe 12 human years, at least (don't know for sure.)

He has canine diabetes and cushing's disease, that and his age makes him do some really wierd crap.

I'd take him to a vet but it may be just age, or he may have an underlying condition.

Also if there's anyone here well versed in animal behavior I can probably get some videos of her doing it. She's actually pretty calm though at this moment.

Could be fleas... My cat did some of that behaviour when she had fleas, especially that looking at something on the ground... Remember their eyesight is far superior to yours.

Or have their being any new radio towers like a cell phone tower put in any where near? Or maybe she is being bullied by other cats??

Sounds like heat. My kitten isnt fixed and she does the same things, will sit outside my bathroom and yowl while im taking a shower. She is perfectly able to get in as she has done before.

Does your cat also roll around randomly? What's weird is that sometimes she will stare at a wall while nothing is there and swivel her head.

I think our animals can sense it when poo is about to hit the fan. She would not shut up during the 2008 hurricane season.

Also if she is pawing at the carpet, she might be trying to hide her scent, or some litter got stuck on her paws and dropped on the spot and shes trying to bury it as cats do. Mine sometimes does this.

[edit on 7-2-2009 by LeTan]

It might be possible that your cat sense that something is about to happen. A lot of bad things are happening around the world and your cat could just be warning you of inpending doom.

I believe these are just symptoms of her age... they get more needy and a kind of senility can set in. You've given her a loving, happy home and life, that's good! Please just keep doing what you're doing, and be there for her. She's lucky to have you.

I wish you the best with your cat. They are sensitive, perhaps you could do come cleaning of energy in your room and then start meditating and also light candles during your wake time.

I am sure your little cat brother is going to be fine, going a bit blind maybe and picking up on trails of residual energy signatures.

Try changing the food for a few days and it may turn out to be diatary.

Need more info before making any suggestions...ultimately a trip to the vet might be a good thing if she's due for boosters or spaying (if not already done).

my first question is: is your kitty an orange tabby by any chance?Or even a pale orange cream colour? (no browns just orange to creamcicle orange)

What does she eat
Is she spayed and innoculated
Does she go outdoors
Does she have toys
Are you home a lot
Are you on a busy street
Does she look healthy (nice shiny fur, not dull and greasy, bright clean eyes and tear ducts, cool moist nose and cool ears, no scabby skin or missing fur, clean teeth with none broken or missing....)
Are there other cats in your immediate area that yowl or come to your windows or doors

Your vet will likely ask the same types of questions


Assuming she's spayed and is indoor only.

I'll tell you about my lunatic cat Gus (Gustardio). he does have a neurological condition that has yet to be labeled by our vet.

Gus is an orange Tabby. 2 yrs

he is neurotic to the point that he literally bites and draws blood on his own tail. he doesn't associate it as part of him and thus it is a nuicance and irritates him with it's endless twitching. his tail is scabbed with so many bite marks.

Gus is also afraid of the evening-window-boogeyman. The glare from the street at night reflects on our windows and terrifies him. Every night he slides across the room, belly to the floor and hugging the walls for safety until he finds his basket which I have blacked out for him with a towel. he does come out with coaxing and will try to sit and snuggle but the slightest noise or light reflection that catches his eye he will freak and hide again.

Gus's day routine is similar to your kitty's. For the most part it seems "normal" for Gus to attack the floor and even try to chew up bits of it at random and just for kicks. I wouldn't say he's in physical pain but it's become pretty clear he suffers mentally. he's very skitish and will flee in terror at anything unknown, unseen, or unusual in anyway...no curiosity to come check anything out once it's scared him. he will remain scared of things even long afterward.

he will attempt to break into every cupboard and we now have babylocks on all cupboards to keep him out as he shreds things when he gets inside. he has destroyed at least 50 bucks worth of TP since we got him, eaten numerous hand towels, scratched out pots and pans and chewed on anything and everything plastic handled he can sink a tooth into.

he has a scratching post and more toys than some human kids...still he will look for things to demolish.

he also prefers to sleep on the bed but is not allowed unless I give permission while I'm napping. It's treat for him.

At night he brings out all of his mice to the bedroom door and plays there in front of the closed door pretty much all night. occasionally he'll beat up our other cat, but they are very different in age and personality so they don't play much together.

Gus is an oddfish for sure, physically healthy but mentally a bit damaged. he may have nerve damage that causes his tail troubles but the other things we're still trying to sort out.

the vet has asked for him to come hang out at the clinic for day or two for observations.

Gus is neutered btw and is negative for feline aids or leukemia. he was a feral cat but was so affectionate he went on the rehoming list and we scooped him up His blood work is a-ok and the vet is a bit unsure how to proceed. medications...or just learn to live with it.

the tail will definitely be docked as it's too risky to have him chewing holes in it all the time.

Indoor cats can suffer some natural neurosis from boredom, poor diet, illness or just personality quirks.

The things you describe I imagine are a bit weird to watch, but unless you really feel the cat is in physical pain when it's trying to eat your floor...it's more than likely just playing and imagining an adversary. Cat's have great imaginations.

I also have a Maine Coon (16 years) and he always tries to kill the floor...growls and claws and spins out on the hard wood. he'll jump from one piece of furniture to the other like his tails on fire. This is called "the rips". cat's will often get a sudden burst of energy and they simply have to release it. he also screams sometimes at fluff before pouncing on it and devouring it only to spit it back out and head for a nap.

Your vet can give you the best info though as they can see the cat themselves and check any common problems that might be of concern.

[edit on 2/7/2009 by justgeneric]

Cats can see what we cant see. My cats see the earthbound spirits that filter in and out of my home. Since I can see spirits too, I know what they are looking at. Thats why you see your cat watching something that isnt there. Not a mental illness. It is possible a spirit followed you home that is spooking your cat. I recommend doing a cleansing of your house with incense or a smudge stick and demand that all entities leave your house. This should put your cat at greater ease with the situation.

i think it sounds like maybe your cat has just had a scare. an untintentional one. show your cat all is ok and he/she will eventually be back to normal. despite what people think cats have a great memory and never forget things that scare them.

thats one idea anyway.

the neighbours across from us had a young black and white cat called softy, one day (when she was due for being dressed at the vet $$$$) she suddenly vanished and we suspected the owner had dumped her somewhere so they would not have to pay the money.

then 3months later the cat turned up at our door like skin and bone. we reckon she was dumped miles away and she made it back to us. we kept her after tha, then one day my mum was holding her and that guy came walking over and the cat went mental!!!

this was prooof that they remember things. we knew then it was him.

sorry for the rant . cats have great memories, thats what i am trying to say.

hope your cat gets better.