My 12-year old cat Kramer, an orange tabby, has been exhibiting very odd behavior over the past week. He is normally an *extremely* outgoing and social cat -- loves attention. Since last week, he's taken to hiding under the bed. He lets me pet him and he purrs, and will eat food if I bring it to him. My vet (who makes house calls) came to see him and didn't see any outward signs of illness. He did both blood and urine tests, and both came back normal. After the vet left, Kramer laid in the litter box all night! This behavior hasn't been continuous - one day he seems to be back to his old normal self, and then the next day, back to hiding. Last night he came out from under the bed and jumped up - when I reached out to pet him, he let out a horrible meow and dove back under the bed. He did come out to eat this morning, was affectionate for a while, and is now hiding again. Since I have another cat (who Kramer loves), it's hard for me to determine if Kramer is really using the litter box during the day when I'm out. Has anyone experienced this kind of behavior before?? I'm worried!!!
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Unusual hiding behavior
- Thread starter kariba260
- Start Date
I cannot answer your question but soon somebody will come along that can. I just wanted to comment on a vet that makes house calls. I have never heard of such a thing. What a great world we live in, after all.
That is great that you have a vet that makes house calls, but I would think that would limit the testing available. I would confine him separately in a bedroom with litter, food, water and watch his intake and litter use. Another possibility is a lurking stray about your home. Often outside stray cats can cause stress and behavior issues. Feliway is a common remedy for this.
Has anything at home changed? Someone staying with you? Shampoo the carpets? Visiting a friend that has a new dog or cat - some possible scent on your clothing or that you somehow bring into the house?
If the behavior cannot be explained by any of the above - or by the possibility of a lurking stray or Tom hanging out or spraying near your home, I would seriously consider a second vet opinion. Kramer, at 12, is getting on in years. I know you just had his bloodwork done, but I would still consider getting another test done by a different vet that likely uses a different lab, and having another opinion.
Had we not done that with our Flowerbelle, she would be dead.
Laurie
If the behavior cannot be explained by any of the above - or by the possibility of a lurking stray or Tom hanging out or spraying near your home, I would seriously consider a second vet opinion. Kramer, at 12, is getting on in years. I know you just had his bloodwork done, but I would still consider getting another test done by a different vet that likely uses a different lab, and having another opinion.
Had we not done that with our Flowerbelle, she would be dead.
Laurie
