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6 Reasons Why Your Cat Stares At Walls

6 Reasons Why Your Cat Stares At Walls

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You cannot feel totally comfortable when your cat stares at you or something around you; I know I can’t, anyway. I have had so many cats throughout my life, but it’s something I’ll never get used to.

After learning that cats can sense many different things that we can’t, their staring started to creep me out even more. Two of my cats, Freddie and Loo, often tend to stare at the wall. 

I finally figured out why, so keep reading to see 6 reasons for cats staring at walls!

#1 Cats Can See Better Than Us

Cats have remarkable senses that allow them to be excellent predators and hunters in nature. One of those senses is vision. Cats can see much better than we can, that’s for sure. 

So, if your cat is staring at the wall, it may be because it has noticed something interesting on it, such as a small insect or a shadow, dust particles, or similar. 

My sweet young Loo is always staring at the wall, usually when there’s a certain shadow on it. She’s very funny, especially when trying to catch that shadow.

#2 They’re Aging

Just like we become older and older, our cats age too, but even faster than us. Older cats are prone to feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD). 

According to the ASPCA, this condition affects many different things such as memory, ability to learn, awareness, vision, hearing perception, and it can even lead to other health problems.

Therefore, if you have an older cat who often stares at walls, it might be that it’s suffering from FCD. In that case, you should take your cat to the vet to help find a way to make it more comfortable.

#3 Cats Can Hear Better Than Us

Besides their better vision, cats have remarkable hearing perception. They’re able to hear sounds and feel vibrations that we can’t. 

If your feline friend is sitting calmly and staring at the wall, it might be hearing some familiar sounds, such as a family member arriving home, sounds of rodents or insects, and similar.

On the other hand, the cat might not be familiar with the exact sound, and it’s just trying to figure it out. This behavior is usually harmless. When I want my cats to stop staring at the wall and pay attention to me, I simply accomplish it by using one of their toys.

#4 They’re Stuck In The Meow-ment

Our felines are special creatures, and their brains are very different from ours. Your cat staring at walls might happen because they get stuck in the moment. 

Cats can sometimes experience some kind of reboot where they freeze in the middle of an action. They look like they’re staring at the wall or something else around them, but in fact, their brain is just frozen.

That “frozen moment” doesn’t usually last long. The cat quickly shakes itself off and continues with its activities as though nothing weird happened.

#5 Your Cat Might Be Sick

If your cat is staring at the wall and pressing its head against it and not moving, it’s usually a sign that your cat is seriously ill. 

Head pressing can indicate different issues such as brain tumors, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, poisoning, etc. If your cat is sick, it may start showing other symptoms as well: seizures, disorientation, excessive meowing, and other similar signs of illness.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to take your feline friend to the vet as soon as possible!

#6 Your Cat Might Have Hyperesthesia

Another reason for cats staring at walls may be feline hyperesthesia. According to Cornell University, feline hyperesthesia is an extreme sensitivity in an area of a cat’s skin.

This skin sensitivity usually makes them uncomfortable and anxious, which can cause them to space out and stare. 

If you notice that your cat is staring more often than usual, and if you notice symptoms such as loud meowing, excessive grooming, skin rippling, and similar things, make sure you take your cat to the vet for an examination. 

Final Words

All in all, our felines are often weird, and they love to creep us out by staring at walls, at us, or at anything around them. Usually, this is a common behavior for cats and there’s no need for you to worry about it.

However, if you notice some unusual symptoms along with the staring behavior, especially those that may be related to certain health issues, then I advise you to take your cat to the vet right away.

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