We often rely on cats’ behavior and actions to understand what they are thinking. And while some are easy to decipher, others are a mystery that even the Scooby gang might struggle to unravel.
Cats can express all sorts of things habits and quirks in behavior. Maybe yours get a ‘magnifier’ – where they dash around the room at top speed and jump off any surface their little paws can find. Maybe your cats have decided their favorite sleeping spot is nowhere but your head, or they like to chew on anything other than their toys.
But there’s another thing, on the surface of things, that doesn’t seem to make much of an excuse: Staring at the wall.
There are a number of reasons cats do this – from spotting something we don’t, to being in hunting mode, to simply being a bit mysterious. However, in some cases, staring at the wall for long periods of time can also be a sign that something serious is going on.
Either way, your kitten doesn’t just watch the paint dry. So let’s take a closer look at what they’re doing.
Why do Cats stare at the wall?
As noted, there are many different reasons why your pet cat tends to stare at the wall lustfully.
Your cat hears something
While you may think your hearing is pretty good, cats’ ability to pick up sounds is beyond human capacity.
Cats can hear 64,000Hz, while the human range extends to about 23,000Hz – meaning cats pick up sounds three times better than we do. One reason is that they have a much deeper and more prominent vocal range ear canal shape, so sound is delivered to the eardrum more efficiently.
So your kitty might be staring at the wall because they pick up noises from behind it that we can’t measure: Perhaps a pipe editing or a mouse moving. move around behind the plaster.
Or, they might be “listening to something, which could be appear like they were staring at the wall,” said Dr. Amber Karwacki, partner physician at Heart + Paw Callowhill.
iStock / Kong Ding Chek
Your cat has better eyesight
Some aspects of cat vision are not as optimal as in humans. For example, according to Cats Protection, it will be harder for them focus on objects closer, and they cannot see many colors.
In other aspects of vision, however, it’s like your cat has super-protective glasses inbuilt. Protect Cats revealed that they have a wider field of vision, at 200 degrees compared to 180 degrees in humans. The ‘cone’ cells in their eyes also mean they can see many things more clear detailsand a higher number of ‘rods’ cells mean their vision in low light is up to 6 times better than ours.
Such good eyesight allows them to see things your eyes can’t (especially if you forget your glasses).
“Because cats have high vision, they will see small insects or bright spots on the wall that we wouldn’t notice,” explains Karwacki.
Maybe your kitten is even looking at ‘secret’ sunbeams: Studies show cat eyes can tell UV lightwhich humans cannot perceive.
Your cat is hunting
Not all hunting takes place in the garden or beyond – they can take place in the comfort of your own home.
Cats, both domesticated and wild, often observe their prey before pounce; they want to make sure the timing is right for success.
As Karwacki reveals: “They’re probably tracking/hunting for prey on the edge of the wall that you might not be able to see.” Perhaps a spider is crossing the wall back into the web and your cat is just assessing the best time to strike.
Your cat is getting mysterious
Another reason your kitten might be staring at the wall is, in fact, no real reason at all.
Humans can look into space, so your cat can too. We never know what’s going on in their brains, so it’s possible they’re distracted by other things going on or simply acting a little odd.
Maintaining a sense of mystery can keep relationships interesting, and this is no different than the relationship between you and your fluffy friend!
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When should I worry about my cat staring at the wall?
In general, a cat looking at a wall for a long time is nothing to worry about. Sometimes, however, it can indicate a medical condition that needs attention.
Staring at the wall can be a symptom of three concerns: Cat cognitive dysfunction, cat delirium syndrome, and head press.
Cat cognitive dysfunction
Just as our mental abilities begin to decline as we enter old age, the same applies to cats. “Cat cognitive decline causes changes in the brain that lead to behavioral changes,” says Karwacki. Based on Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineCats can begin to show signs of cognitive decline after the age of 10.
Cornell University states that symptom Cat awareness includes:
- Sleeping too much or changing the way you sleep
- Reduced spatial awareness
- Get lost from home into foreign territory
- Passing a bowel movement or urinating outside the toilet tray
- Reduced interest in playtime, food and/or water
- Loud and prolonged meowing, especially at night
“This [behavior] Karwacki added.
Experts at Cornell University also note that cat cognitive dysfunction may be linked to nervous disorder. In this case, the cat’s risk of physical injury may also increase as the area of the brain that controls response to the environment is reduced.
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Anesthesia syndrome in cats
According to Cornell University, this condition mainly manifests itself as the skin hypersensitiveusually on the back and around the tip of the tail.
However, it can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Staring and or staring at the wall for long periods of time
- Excessive grooming (especially near the tail)
- Noisy yowling or meow
- Pupils widen
- Biting and tearing the skin
While causes can be identified for many feline health concerns, veterinarians aren’t sure what’s behind hyperesthesia syndrome.
Some think it’s a neurological or genetic concern. Meanwhile, others believe it’s related to anxiety – and the good news is that you can take steps to help. relieve this.
“If your cat has these symptoms, you should take them to the vet,” says Karwacki.
Press head
The main sign of this concern is when a cat “puts its head against a wall and doesn’t move for a period of time,” explains Karwacki.
Other actions or symptoms that may accompany head pressure include disorientation, seizures, vision problems, pacing, and high-pitched voices.
She adds that head pressing is not common in cats. When it does, however, it can signal a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor, infectious disease, metabolic disorder, or poisoning. This means that it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
However, it’s not to be confused with headbutting — it’s “when cats rub their heads against a wall or your body when they’re walking past or asking for scratches,” explains Karwacki. This is a completely normal (and sometimes affectionate) behavior for cats.
Take it
Like humans – and other animals – cats can exhibit all sorts of funny and weird behaviors. But that’s just one of the many reasons we love them, right?
Cats can be caught staring at walls for a variety of reasons, most of which are harmless (and often demonstrate their superior vision and hearing!).
Occasionally, however, prolonged eye contact can indicate that something more serious is going on with your kitten – especially if accompanied by other symptoms. If you notice any unusual or disturbing behavior, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice.
