Hi all,

My cat is behaving strangely, and isn't like her usual self. Started on saturday- usually she wakes me up to be fed, then won't get out from under my feet until the food is in her bowl on the floor. On saturday she didn't, but I thought she was just having a lie in. I was out overnight on saturday and when I got home yesterday, she'd eaten all the food and was looking a bit sorry for herself. She's usually very vocal, but was strangely quiet.

Last night, she honestly looked like she'd seen the cat equivalent of a ghost! Was staring round at nothing, slinking about as if she was petrified of something and most importantly, didn't try to sleep on my bed. Was the same this morning, so decided to take her to the vets. Couldn't get an appointment till this afternoon so we've just got home. The vet couldn't find anything amiss- infact, all the behaviour changed as soon as we got there.

She's still eating, drinking and using the litter tray with usual regularity. Haven't had anyone round to the house who could have scared her, can't find anything she might have eaten that could have poisoned her so am at a loss.

On;y other thing I can think of is that I'm going away on holiday on wednesday. Could it be sulking behaviour ie- she knows something is going on? My parents are looking after her while I'm away, have given strict instructions to take her back to the vets if she starts looking odd again.

Anybody else come across this before? She's always been ok when I've gone away if it's that. If not I am stumped.

Having had the all clear from the vet it sounds as if she is anxious/scared by something, rather than sulking.
Does she go outside?
Have there been any new cats or other local disruptions around lately?

I wondered the same thing.

Thanks for the replies!

She's an indoor cat as I now live next to a very busy road. Should have mentioned it before. She's asleep now under the dining room table- which is better than last night when she wedged herself under my wardrobe.

Only disruptions I can think of were roadworks outside, but they finished about a week ago.

Your cat might have picked up on the upcoming holiday. Hearing you talking about it, perhaps sounding a bit anxious.

Or the change in routine or starting packing, suitcases out, etc.

Does she sit on the windowsill? She may have seen a strange cat or other animal outside and it freaked her out - my Gus reacts like this when our local feral pays our garden one of his rare visits. He's "on guard" for days afterwards.

Maybe some evil spirit from the other side has entered your house and is scaring the crap out of the cat. Afterall it is believed that animals have a better perception of these sort of things.

Has there been any other unsual activity in your house recently? Strange bangs? Doors and cupboards left open that you thought you'd closed? Any rooms feel particularly colder than normal? Have you been having any strange nightmares during this time?