cat all of sudden different, scared, tentative

Like a light switch turning on, our cats behavior has turned quickly. Background- She is a two year old cat they we picked up from shelter a year ago. She was tentative for the first couple of weeks, but soon enough warmed up into a lovable, sweet, interactive cat. At times a little tentative with strangers, but nothing out of the ordinary. Fast forward to a week ago. Within a two hour window, she has become a timid little mess. She skulks around tentatively, unsure of many inanimate objects, especially blankets. She seems very unsure, worried, and gets super spooked where she does that instant recoil run away thing that is fight or flight type mechanism when she senses something she doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t like. Here is a video on you tube that is parallels my cats behavior, except its not just one singular inanimate object that she is scared of, she walks around the house with this same sort of uncertainty toward many things. sniffing incessantly, pawing tentatively at inanimate objects as if it were alive.

I brought her to the vet, they didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t offer much explanation, but they de-wormed her, noted that she has small crystals in her urine and changed her cat food, gave her antibiotics but havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t offered much else. I think they are barking up the wrong tree at this point, but maybe they are just being understandably procedural, ruling out psyichal health issues. The key to me is that here behavior changed so instantly. Something could have happened outside?

Up to this point we are just trying to be as sweet and accommodating as possible- stepping softly, gving her space, giving here gentle love.

Anybody else have something similar happen to them or have any suggestions or caveats? thanks.


trevor

Keep her inside until you figure this out. Since she is startling so easily, I would worry that she may run off in response to something (like the car starting) and you wouldn't be able to get her back. Personally, I wouldn't let her out at all.

My first thought would be a trauma outside, such as a new strange cat (smells on the boots). Or neighbor's dog chasing her. So many possibilities.

Good luck.

Can you find a good vet that will check her eyes thoroughly? If she suddenly has vision problems, it could explain her being tentative about everything (not knowing what she's smelling).

thanks for your responses. i'm bringing her back to the vet and will post what I find out. much appreciated

trevor