Should I be concerned?

First of all our family has six cats; Momma cat (Rose), Asia, Slipper, Ra, Spot, and Princess. That being said, Ra and Spot have been doing something odd. It's the same behavior, but takes place in different situations. For Ra, it's when I open the door to let him in. He'll jump back as if startled, bounce around like a stiff-legged bronco bull, and then dash inside. Spot will come up to me mewing, I'll reach down to pet him, and he does the same thing as Ra before cuddling against my hand. 

What is this? I've never seen any of them do anything like this before!

It sounds like to me that they are scared when they got a response from you they weren't expecting.

I agree with DreamerRose, but it could also be a combination of that and other things including a smell you have on you that they don't like or can't associate with.

I don't have a smell on me. I have very sensitive skin and just about everything breaks me out, so I don't wear anything. And for startling them, well--Ra was scratching to be let in and we always let him in when he does that and Spot was crying for attention, and I usually pet him when that happens. (Sometimes he cries for pets when I'm in the middle of cooking and I just can't bend down.)

Tallyollyopia said:

I don't have a smell on me. I have very sensitive skin and just about everything breaks me out, so I don't wear anything. And for startling them, well--Ra was scratching to be let in and we always let him in when he does that and Spot was crying for attention, and I usually pet him when that happens. (Sometimes he cries for pets when I'm in the middle of cooking and I just can't bend down.)

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I'm sorry, I didn't mean it in a negative way, nor was I referring to things like cosmetic smells. Cat's are just way more sensitive to smells than even I realize, myself, and I was trying to come up with an example of how extremely difficult it could be to pinpoint the source of their strange behavior without a deep investigation. That's all!

I too know the pains of having very sensitive skin. I'm just lucky in that the things I can use, like shampoos, are very inexpensive. I'm sorry we have that problem!

Here, let me see if I can help you rule out things that might be the cause of their behavior: what have you done differently with them or around the house? Even if it seems ineffectual. Things could be such like using new flea medication, using new cleaning products, bringing used furniture into your house. It could be that they have damaged whiskers from playing too rough or fighting with a neighborhood cat. Maybe there is something putting their sensory perception off kilter. For that matter, one could be doing this as a symptom to something, and the other could be mimicking.

If you can, by chance, take a video of the activity, maybesomeone can give you better clues. Maybe have a camera recording and ready when you open the door to try to catch the behavior.

Have you changed your hairstyle or color? Dressing different? Cats also have poor eyesight and I know when I wear my husbands jacket or a hat, or style my hair completely different (OK, didn't do anything with my hair that morning!) I can make my strays run for the hills until they hear my voice. You might just crack the door a little and let them know it is you at first. It definitely sounds like something is scaring them. All the luck!

No, nothing. The cleaners we use are the same ones. The only thing I can think of is that I recently changed their dry food--but that wouldn't cause this, would it?

Tallyollyopia said:

 
No, nothing. The cleaners we use are the same ones. The only thing I can think of is that I recently changed their dry food--but that wouldn't cause this, would it?

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 I'd swap back, just in case.  It's really hard to pick what will have an effect.

Mani said:

 I'd swap back, just in case.  It's really hard to pick what will have an effect.

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So hard in fact, that you may have to take them to the vet, and even then, that may be inconclusive.

For all we know, you, yourself could have developed a medical condition and they are reacting to it with concerned agitation. I sincerely hope all of you are in good health, and honestly, it may be nothing completely!