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Spinning in circles?

post #1 of 18
3/10/10 at 4:34pm
Thread Starter 
I've noticed Imogen is more than a little weird (in fact, my boyfriend lovingly calls her "retard kitty") but this has me concerned: she will spontaneously break out into sudden, violent "spinning attacks." In other words, she'll stop dead with whatever she is doing and basically chase her tail. Rapidly. Sometimes she growls a bit while doing it. (And, I've noticed she only spins to the right, or clockwise. Never counterclockwise.)

Now, she most often does this when I'm bringing her food, or when she's trying to follow me around the house and can't figure out where I'm going. She'll often stop dead right in my path and just twirl. Is this a sign of boredom? Excitement? Something else? Sometimes it seems she's in a very excited mood when she does this, and sometimes she just plain seems confused.

Anyone else have any experience with something like this?
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post #2 of 18
3/10/10 at 6:13pm
I'm not sure about your cat, but I did used to have a dog that displyed this behavior! She would go crazy in circles when she was excited to see you, wanted attention from you, or was just bored. Maybe your cat is in the same mindset? Does she get dizzy or seem stressed from the activity? My guess is that she's just being silly, but a call to your vet office might be of help for answers.
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post #3 of 18
3/10/10 at 6:56pm
Your cat is spinning in circles because she is playing with her tail!

Charlie, when he was about 4-7 months old, he used to follow me, everywhere except going outside, he would follow me to the bedroom, kitchen and even in the bathroom, he watched me while I was taking a bath, he was watching everything that I do! and when I tried to lock the door without him inside, he would do a loud non-stop meow in front of the door! I'm missing it!

He stopped following me when my dad died, maybe he is feeling different now that dad is gone, maybe he is affected too..
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post #4 of 18
3/10/10 at 11:52pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, Charlie sounds just like my girl! She follows me everywhere and sits patiently beside me no matter what I'm doing. And I guess the spinning is just excitement or playing. It's good to know that she's not the only one, though
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post #5 of 18
3/11/10 at 12:14am
You might want to check that there isn't something wrong with her tail?
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post #6 of 18
3/11/10 at 5:07am
If it's a new behavior, especially in an adult cat, talk to your vet to make sure there's nothing more going on (ie - feline hyperesthesia syndrome, dry skin/allergy, fleas, etc).
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post #7 of 18
3/11/10 at 7:11am
Thread Starter 
Nope, her tail's fine, except for the last two vertebrae, which are a bit crooked. I believe something or someone crushed the tip of her tail as a kitten, poor thing. And she's been doing this since the day I brought her home, so I guess it's just a quirk
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post #8 of 18
3/11/10 at 11:26am
I've actually noticed crooked tails in a lot of cats. I'm pretty sure it's a defect since some of those cats never had any tail damage.

As long as it's not a new behavior and she doesn't hurt herself, then it's normal. If you think she's getting too worked up, you can always distract her with something else.
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post #9 of 18
3/11/10 at 9:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
I've actually noticed crooked tails in a lot of cats. I'm pretty sure it's a defect since some of those cats never had any tail damage.

As long as it's not a new behavior and she doesn't hurt herself, then it's normal. If you think she's getting too worked up, you can always distract her with something else.
My Dusty has a crook in the tip of her tail and the base is crooked. She cannot hold her tail straight up. I think it may have been broken at birth.
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post #10 of 18
3/11/10 at 9:45pm
Well, it's possible she's just playing and being a goof.

If it seems like it happens uncontrollably, it could be an inner ear infection or a vestibular condition. Inner ear infections may possibly be cured with the proper antibiotics. Vestibular conditions are neurological, and they have to live with them.

Is she doing anything else odd? Does she hold her head to the right, fall alot, unable to jump up very well, etc?

Good luck!

Okie
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post #11 of 18
3/12/10 at 1:28am
Sophie's chased her tail since she was a kitten and it's hilarious

Here she is ...

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture661.flv
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post #12 of 18
3/12/10 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
Nope, she's not leaning to one side and her balance is normal. She did have an ear infection when I brought her home from the pound, but it's since been cured by vet+antibiotics. And Rosiemac that video of Sophie is adorable and a half, but that doesn't look like what my girl is doing. Imogen's not going for the tail at all; in fact, her tail usually points straight up while she's spinning. It's like she's just...going on spin cycle. I'll try to get a video sometime soon. I'm not too worried that anything's wrong with her, the behavior is just a bit odd.
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post #13 of 18
3/12/10 at 11:43am
LOL, sounds like she's playing "Let's freak out mommy!"

A game my critters play frequently!

Okie
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post #14 of 18
3/12/10 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iambic View Post
Now, she most often does this when I'm bringing her food. She'll often stop dead right in my path and just twirl. Is this a sign of boredom? Excitement? Something else? Sometimes it seems she's in a very excited mood when she does this?
I've just gave mine their supper which is always wet food, and even though i've noticed Jack doing what you've described in your last post, your thread came straight to my head!.

I think it could be excitement, because his tail was up as he was spinning around in front of me while i carried their bowls over. He would spin around, stop, then look at the bowls in my hand, then spin again as if to say "Hurry up and put the bowl down!!"
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post #15 of 18
3/12/10 at 2:34pm
Thread Starter 
Yay! I'm not the only one! And I think you may have hit the nail on the head Rosiemac: the emotion she's expressing could be impatience! Haha
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post #16 of 18
3/12/10 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iambic View Post
Yay! I'm not the only one! And I think you may have hit the nail on the head Rosiemac: the emotion she's expressing could be impatience! Haha
If you could have heard me because i said out loud "Oh you do it as well Jack!!!"
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post #17 of 18
3/12/10 at 5:29pm
I work with a board certified behaviorist, and I think she works tomorrow... I'll get her input on it.

Okie
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post #18 of 18
3/17/10 at 10:52pm
When i had my older cat 7 years ago, who died, she did the same thing she was 15 years old she would starting spinning in circles and make funny noises, we went to the vet and found out it was seizures that were making her spin in circles. I'd advise going to a vet.
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