My Cat is Acting Weird

Okay, first some background.

I have two cats, Ransom and Kyrie. Both came from the animal shelter, hence are spayed/neutered. Both are indoor cats. Both are about five years old, no relationship to each other.

We adopted Ransom on the day he was scheduled to die. Literally. I had gone online to the local animal shelter, looking for a new kitten, and found Kyrie. I later went back online and saw a picture of this tiny kitten with his kill date scheduled for that afternoon. It took a LOT of frantic phone calls and $100 adoption fee (hence the name Ransom) but two days later that kitten came to live with us.

Ransom was 3/4 feral, probably why they were going to euthanize him. In the time he's lived with us, he's let me pet him maybe five times. Oddly enough, he loves my son and lets him play rough and tumble games.

So to the weird part. All day today, Ransom has paced our house, meowing loudly. All three levels, constantly moving.

I've done everything I can think of...clean water, check. Clean litter box, check. Fresh food, check. Favorite hiding places available for occupation, check.

Three times today he has come to me for petting. Remember, he's still half feral and quite disdainful of all humans (except my son). Still, he's pacing the house, calling. He paws at the door, jumps into the windows, but when I go look there's nothing going on but a rainstorm.

This has been ongoing for almost seven hours now. Until about ten minutes ago, Kyrie just ignored him. Now she's starting to pace the house and call. Only difference is, she comes and jumps in my lap, pawing at my arm while calling.

I haven't the foggiest idea what's going on. Hoping someone has some ideas, I'm starting to get a little freaked.

Are your cats spayed and/or neutered?

Could be HCS (Horny Cat Syndrome) as I like to call it. The cats get all affectionate and start pacing, rubbing, and meowing all the time. Could be a cat in heat in the area and they are picking up on it?

They obvious sense something and it is upsetting them.

My first question is, where are you located?

The second question is, cats can often smell things we cannot. Have you checked for any weird smells, such as burning electrical stuff, etc? There could be a fire starting somewhere (attic, electrical appliance, heater).

Originally posted by Deemo Diablo
Are your cats spayed and/or neutered?

Could be HCS (Horny Cat Syndrome) as I like to call it. The cats get all affectionate and start pacing, rubbing, and meowing all the time. Could be a cat in heat in the area and they are picking up on it?

edit on 5-5-2013 by Deemo Diablo because: Superfluous comma

Both are spayed /neutered.

Your cat could have bad experience with rainstorms

Originally posted by FissionSurplus
They obvious sense something and it is upsetting them.

My first question is, where are you located?

The second question is, cats can often smell things we cannot. Have you checked for any weird smells, such as burning electrical stuff, etc? There could be a fire starting somewhere (attic, electrical appliance, heater).

I live in NC, middle of the state, on the VA border.

We actually were concerned about this and did a house check. We have carbon dioxide detectors, no go. Husband climbed into the attic and checked the fuse boxes, nothing out of the ordinary. Even had the gas company come out and make sure there was no leak (even though we didn't smell anything).

There are other animals in this neighborhood but they all appear to be acting normal.

Originally posted by Kuroodo
Your cat could have bad experience with rainstorms

It's a very gentle rainstorm....

I guess I'm bringing it up because, just this past week, I had thought that I was smelling something electrical that was burning, but it was kind of faint and kept just coming and going. I thought perhaps it was my scented wax burners.

My cats (I have 11 of them) didn't act weird, but a few of them kept trying to dig into a vent that was under a closet where the heater and water heater were located.

Turns out that the wires had touched and burned out because of a leak, the plastic covering had melted, the thermostat was melting, and the insulation was black. A fire was fixing to occur. I would have never thought water heater in a million years. I thought they sprung leaks, not had electronics that burned.

Anyway, just a thought.

I wish I knew what to tell you, something is obviously bothering the poor kitty. Perhaps they are hearing something that you are not able to detect? I think there's some free software out there that would enable you to take a recording, and bring any undetectable sounds up or down into the human range of hearing frequencies. I vaguely remember watching Ghost Hunters a long time ago and they did that for their EVP sessions. Although, my memory for such things does not have a track record for accuracy.

I would say that would be an aspect worth investigating.

ETA: I did a quick search and the name "Audacity" is ringing the proverbial bell. I am under the impression that the software is indeed free, but am unaware of the range of utility it would serve for that purpose. Good luck!

Originally posted by FissionSurplus
I guess I'm bringing it up because, just this past week, I had thought that I was smelling something electrical that was burning, but it was kind of faint and kept just coming and going. I thought perhaps it was my scented wax burners.

My cats (I have 11 of them) didn't act weird, but a few of them kept trying to dig into a vent that was under a closet where the heater and water heater were located.

Turns out that the wires had touched and burned out because of a leak, the plastic covering had melted, the thermostat was melting, and the insulation was black. A fire was fixing to occur. I would have never thought water heater in a million years. I thought they sprung leaks, not had electronics that burned.

Anyway, just a thought.

Sending my husband to check this out now. House fires are my biggest fear. I may just check my son and myself into a hotel for the night.

In the UK we have the RSPCA (The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals) and it has a policy that will never put a healthy animal down.

The reason they are able to have this policy is thanks to the existence of many different re-homing charities such as Animals In Distress, The Cats Protection Leauge, The Dogs Trust, The Blue Cross (originally founded to care for the animals injured in World War One) and Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.

These independent charities exist in all areas of the UK and I believe it says a great deal about the level of compassion towards animals that exist in this country and is one more reason why I am very proud to consider myself a citizen of the UK.

I believe it's is a hard truth that you can judge a country by the way it treats the most vulnerable.

reply to post by FissionSurplus

EXACTLY, animals are so much more sensitive to things and can also "predict" and warn of things about to happen. I was going to ask the same thing, "where are you located"...

My first gut reaction when I read the title was "Earthquake" ....I really hope not for smyleegirl's sake... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby cats Hope you guys don't experience anything where you're at and that no matter what you guys stay safe!!!

indoor cats.
do you realise what wrong with that?
cats are nocturnal predators.

Originally posted by Rikku
indoor cats.
do you realise what wrong with that?
cats are nocturnal predators.

When we adopted them, they were both declawed. They can't defend themselves outside.

We are quite aware of their nocturnal rumblings, they chase each other all over the house.

Originally posted by shell69
reply to post by FissionSurplus

 

EXACTLY, animals are so much more sensitive to things and can also "predict" and warn of things about to happen. I was going to ask the same thing, "where are you located"...

My first gut reaction when I read the title was "Earthquake" ....I really hope not for smyleegirl's sake... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby cats

Hope you guys don't experience anything where you're at and that no matter what you guys stay safe!!!

We aren't in an earthquake prone area. Had one last year that was really more of a tremor than anything else. But I'll keep you informed.

Interestingly, both cats have calmed down somewhat.

get a dog

Let's deduce something first.

Sure, you didn't give them a little too much cat nip?



Cats will be cats..

I'm sure everything is fine and they are just scared of the storm.

Hope everything is okay.

Hi!
Our cats carry on before earthquakes!
Either big ones far away or closer smaller ones.
I didn't realize it until I found ATS & started watching quakes though.

The one that's 16, chases the younger one something awful before quakes.
Usually mag 6 or bigger are the ones I notice bother them.
We very seldom have any small ones close to us to go by.
I think he feels something that bothers him & assumes she's causing it!
The younger one, just 'trills' & wants a lot of attention when she 'feels' it!

I just checked, so far nothing small listed close to you. Only Arkansas today.
But they aren't always listed right away.
It could be a bigger one anywhere worldwide coming too.
Has it ever acted like this before?

Ours usually feel it up to 12 hours ahead of time.
It probably depends how far away & how big it is too.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few hours!

It could have heard an animal in distress outside too.
But you wouldn't think it would have gone on that long.

If it ever happens again, sit a glass of water on the table & check it every so often.
See if you see any slight vibrations on the surface of the water!
It would have to be pretty close for anything to show up though!

One thing is for sure...they don't act like that for no reason!
The problem is, humans not being able to translate their language!!!
Keep us updated!!!
WOQ

Our cats always act weird. When they start acting normal I will get worried.

Originally posted by Rikku
indoor cats.
do you realise what wrong with that?
cats are nocturnal predators.

There is nothing wrong with having an indoor cat. Cats can be quite happy and content when cared for properly.