My cat is acting very odd even for him, he's old maybe 11-12 years old. But anyway about a week ago he began acting strange, he would run to a specific spot and spend almost the entire day there picking his fur out of himself. First it was on top of the washer and dryer then the top of the couch then cram himself in between a space in my sister's closet. He would run to them like he was gunna get caught like it was wrong for him to go those spots but it wasn't wrong. And he has never gone to these spots before, ever. Before he started doing this he would spend most of his day outside lounging on the deck and when he was inside he would walk around the house and sleep on someone's bed or in the rocking chair in the living room like a normal lazy cat. No one in my family has no idea what's going on and were waiting to see if his behavoir will calm down before we call the vet. Any idea's what colud be going on with him?
2006-09-21 04:39:00 · 8 answers · asked by liesse00 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
As this is new behavior and started quite sudden plus the age of your cat. The cat is probably ill. He really should be taken to the vets. cats pull fur out for a reason. Either a illness flea allergies or stress.
Cats can pull out their fur for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are because of either parasites or skin conditions. Parasites that can cause this include fleas, ringworm, and the mites that cause feline mange. Mainly, you want to watch out for a parasite that's going to cause itching or irritation of the skin - the cat will try to remove it with its teeth, and it will often get clumps of fur instead. Many flea control products will kill both some kinds of mites and any fleas.
Skin conditions are a little harder to diagnose - they can be the result of allergies or a number of other causes, but the problem is that the visual symptoms that a non-expert can see are all the same and there's really no way for you as a layperson to tell which one is which. Another problem is that the cat may be irritating the skin by biting at it, making it look like a skin condition.
Finally, sometimes a cat biting at its fur is a result of behavioral problems. These include cat obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety or stress, and a syndrome called feline hyperesthesia that sometimes causes cats to repeatedly bite themselves. Treatment for these can vary, but you can't really use punishment on the cat because the behavior is often caused by stress, and yelling at the cat or frequently punishing it can just add to this. Anti-stress medication can work, and you should also talk to your vet about whether placing the cat in a special collar to keep it from biting for awhile is a good idea.
Finally, make sure your cat doesn't have feline endocrine alopecia. This is basically just baldness. If you've actually seen the cat pulling the fur, it doesn't have it.
2006-09-21 05:46:52 · answer #1 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is now considered a senior cat at this age. Cats become senile just like some people do when they age. As long as it is not doing anything to hurt itself, someone else or is showing signs of any kind of pain, then let it be. If it wants to act a little nuts then, hell its lived long enough that I think he's earned the right to get a little freaky now and then!!
2006-09-21 04:44:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would call the vet - my cat developed a neurological disorder with old age and acted strange like you describe - my other cat went blind and felt secure i certain places - so maybe you a combination going on just check them out to make sure they don't suffer of have pain.
2006-09-21 04:49:22 · answer #3 · answered by worldstiti 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
all cats are psychotic...it is their nature. As long as he isn't doing anything destructive where he is, just enjoy the show!
When you say picking his fur out, if you mean more than just preening, he may indeed have a problem with his skin. Get him to a vet soon if that is the case, don't wait, he could be driven more psychotic than he already is!
2006-09-21 04:49:51 · answer #4 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Could be some kind of skin irritation. Sounds like so much discomfort he doesnt know what to do. Ask a vet.
2006-09-21 05:03:52 · answer #5 · answered by groomingdiva_pgh 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is it late in the evening. All cats get the "crazies" in the evening, when they're supposed to be hunting.
2006-09-21 04:41:23 · answer #6 · answered by John K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your cat isnt old ,cats easily live to 20 these days ,and as for its behaviour cats are strange ,my cats change their sleeping places weekly,
2006-09-21 04:44:21 · answer #7 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Please consult your vet. We care;BUT; we are not Dr.s...
2006-09-21 04:49:43 · answer #8 · answered by renhoez 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋