Cat experts of DU--another question

[jpgray]

Our tuxedo cat is staring fixedly at hidden or otherwise non-visible crannies in the house for hours at a time. Under the couch, behind the fridge, etc. He's (almost) totally unresponsive during this time to almost any stimuli. I read up a bit on OCD in cats and I think it may have to do with the recent lack of outside time that comes with the onset of winter. When he engages in this behavior, nothing will snap him out of it, and I'm wary of providing toys or attention because it may reinforce the behavior. Anything to do? It doesn't seem right in this situation to get the spray bottle, but I'm not sure what to do. Will he snap out of it? Should we take him to the vet? What say you? Thanks in advance.

:hi:

[Robeson]

1. It's close to winter. Mice come into homes this time of year...

...he may have spotted one, smelled one, or seen one. Sounds like he's on mouse patrol to me.

[jpgray]

2. I considered that. Looked for little mouse presents everywhere

But I guess that doesn't mean it hasn't happened--this is a leaky house. :( I guess I should just give it some time?

[Maine-ah]

12. ditto that

op - wait until night time when you normally go to bed. Do your normal routine & instead of going to bed, sit on your couch in the dark and listen. You'll hear your rodent in your walls.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Ranger Rick Sez

Why do cats stare at nothing? A cat could be looking at something that you just can't see--especially if the light is low. Cats have excellent vision in dim light--much better than yours. Or the cat might be hearing something you can't hear. Their ears pick up sounds that are much too quiet or high-pitched for your ears. So a cat might look like it's staring at a blank wall. But maybe it's really listening carefully to a mouse squeaking behind that wall. It could even be feeling movements in the air with its whiskers. Let's face it: Cats have super senses!
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EPG/is_1998_Dec/ai_53254519

[reyd reid reed]

4. I'd give it time...

besides, I don't know what the vet would do about it. There might be a mouse somewhere where the cat hears/smells it but you can't tell (like under the floor boards or behind the wall). I've had cats do the same thing and it always seems to pass.

[Critters2]

5. Mice!!

Years ago, I had 'em in my old townhouse. They'd come in around pipe that carried water from my dishwasher to an outside drain. I knew when there were mice, because my then cat would just lay infront of the dishwasher, staring for hours on end. And then one would stick his little face out and BAM!! No more mouse.

Might be something else, but my money's on mice. When he takes care of the problem there, send him to my house. My guys don't seem to be doing the job.

[astral]

6. Yup, my cat sees things that aren't there too!

Possibly as said above he sees things that I just can't see, and it's probably a good think I can't see 'em!

He can actually be sitting on my lap and suddenly look up, and stare intently, with great alarm, at nothing. It **IS** kinda scary! I wouldn't try to break him of it, though, just accept it as part of his "Cat-ness!"

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. epilepsy, petite-mal seizures...

I used to have them from about 3rd grade to about 5th. No external stimuli could bring me out of it.

...or he could have seen a bug.. :shrug:

[SoxFan]

18. Actually, this is a valid point

I had a cat once who had a brief spell where she had weird little seizures. She would suddenly "lock up", stare into space with bug eyes for about 10 seconds, then snap out of it and flop down with an exhausted look on her face. We took her to the vet, who told us that these petit mal seizures occur sometimes, and they aren't always a permanent condition. As it turned out, these lasted for a week or two and then never reoccured for the remaining six or seven years of Tigey's life.

[jpgray]

8. Ai! C'era un topo!

It was a mouse. :dunce: My cat and most of you were right. :P I thought we had sealed off all the little entryways well enough.

[Raven]

9. The cat's meditating...leave him alone...it's a stressful world...

join him!!!

[SoxFan]

10. Maybe it's Shadow People

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_People

On the other hand, it could just be that cats are weird...

[TZ]

15. ROFL! Change that to

"Ceilings- utterly fascinating" and you would have my house where my two routinely stare at the bedroom ceiling. I can't tell what the hell they are looking at.a shadow? a bug? a cobweb?:shrug:

[Perseid]

11. mice

the creature is looking at or smelling mice.

[Mutley]

13. Mine is staring at the ceiling

Chirping and flicking his tail really hard. He's been doing this all morning. :shrug:

:hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

14. squirrels in the attic? nt

[Mutley]

19. That would make sense

Except my computer is in the basement. :D

[flamingyouth]

16. Ours sleep on the vents.

They definitely slow down this time of year, which makes sense. Humans are the only creatures who run around like maniacs during the coldest, darkest time of year. :hi:

[SoxFan]

17. Warm those kitty buns!

Pippy likes to tuck herself in next to the radiator. She'll walk into the room and when you pet her, you notice that she's toasty warm on one side.

[TZ]

20. Then my cats are weird...but I guess I already knew that

They are getting MORE active--running chasing pouncing wrestling..although they are more likely to curl up next to me at night for warmth..:)