Carpet Freak Out

kirathecat

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Hi, everyone! I could really use some help from the great cat understanding minds around here 


So, here's what happened:

This morning around 10.30 am when I got up I saw Mr. Kitty do a crazy jump up and away from his favorite spot on the carpet near a scratching post. I thought it was weird since he wasn't in a playful mood and wasn't really doing anything, just sort of sitting there or lounging around that area which is a common activity for him, there was no strange or loud noises outside and even if there were he NEVER jumps. As the morning progressed I noticed he was kinda walking around that spot and avoiding it so I just put him there and he did the jump thing again. He did eat his breakfast while sitting on the carpeted floor but away from that jumpy spot. I noticed him sitting on the floor near that spot or intensely looking at it from the table. He also walked along the wall to avoid that spot to get to his litter box. He did use his litter box, thank god, cause that area is on his way to the box and there's no way around it. I tried playing with him and he seemed interested in his favorite ribbon but wouldn't chase it on the floor like usual, only if I moved it to the couch or bed, then he'd pounce. I vacuumed every inch of the house as well as I could to pick up anything that could have bothered his paws while Mr. Kitty took his the afternoon nap that he woke up from around 6pm and after about 2-3 minutes sitting on the carpet in the different room he did that crazy jump up and away thing AGAIN! After that he wouldn't step on the carpeted floor almost at all. I saw him sitting on the couch arm rest (which he never does), I had to feed him on the magazine table since he wouldn't come down to the floor, he did not walk to the kitchen to get his favorite treats, which is literally unheard of for him. Only when I put down a blanket on top of the carpet at his favorite spot near the scratching post did he step in that area. I tried touching his back and front paws and he reacted like he normally does: he let me touch all of them for a few minutes and then started protesting. I also got down on my knees and examined the areas from which he jumped from with my hands - there is NOTHING there, I also sniffed it - also NOTHING. 

Sorry, if it's a confusing post. The bottom line is: my cat has suddenly became afraid of the carpet, has been avoiding walking on it all day, had several incidents of weird jumps like he's been jolted with electricity or something at two locations, has no problem jumping up and down the furniture and cat tree or walking but stepping on the carpet destroys his playful mood so he wasn't very active today.

If anybody can make sense of WHAT the heck happened to Mr. Kitty and if I should be worried, please reply!
 

tabbytom

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It's weird since you vacuumed and sniffed and found nothing.

My guess could be static electricity that bolted him. Don't know if static electricity affect cats. But it's my guess :think:
 
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kirathecat

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I don't know, he doesn't mind an occasional zap from rolling around on the comforter and I can feel those static zaps and they are strong... I'm totally flabbergasted by this.

Mr. Kitty just got up for a late dinner and still avoids that spot near the post but at least walks and sits on the carpet under the table in the same room... 
 
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kirathecat

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The only 'new' thing in the whole house is a duffel bag with power tools in the living room but it has been there for about a week and he actually likes it, has been rubbing up against it just this evening and biting on the handles in a playful way :) Oh, and it seems to me that he has been sniffing around the floor, under the couch and in odd places overall like some new scent is coming from somewhere but I can't smell anything even when I literally stick my nose to the floor 
 The sniffing started the day before the freak out jumps... Could that be connected somehow?
 

tabbytom

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Don't think it's any new scent that made him jumped. But you said he was sitting there and made a sudden jump. So shouldn't be the smell.

Anyway, your nose is not as sensitive as his, what he can smell, you can't :lol3:
 
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kirathecat

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Don't think it's any new scent that made him jumped. But you said he was sitting there and made a sudden jump. So shouldn't be the smell.

Anyway, your nose is not as sensitive as his, what he can smell, you can't
Yep, and what he can see, I can't 
 (you know. like when they sit and stare at the wall and such, haha) 

Well, this morning he's a bit better, almost back to his usual self, but still a bit jumpy and avoids some places and keeps on sniffing around our home... Makes me wonder, if there's a ghost here or something 
 
 
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kirathecat

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Ghost?

Think could be just some scents brought in from outside the house.
Nah, I'm just joking, no ghost here 


If he only sniffed at the high traffic areas, than, yes, some scent brought in from the outside, but he was sniffing the box that he's been using as a hide out for months in the room that's barely used at all except for him. His behavior reminds me of the time we brought him home for the first time, back then it was normal for him to explore and sniff around new things, now just weird. Hopefully it will pass soon, I miss my playful outgoing kitty
 

tabbytom

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I think he'll get over it soon. They go through different phases. Certain things they used to like and after awhile they pay no attention to it. That's why it's hard to buy toys for my boy coz he like it for 10 mins and stopped playing with it. So these days, diy toys are the way to go and he only stick to a few favorites.

So your kitty could have change his game play and is looking for something else to do.
 
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kirathecat

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Had to give him a bath today, he made a mess on his bushy tail when using the litter box and now seems to be walking everywhere just fine 
 He also gets very meowy and cuddly after baths for no apparent reason but I'll take it 


I'll also stick to your last suggestion that he was just looking to change things up a bit 


Thanks for listening and support :)
 
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tabbytom

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Had to give him a bath today, he made a mess on his bushy tail when using the litter box and now seems to be walking everywhere just fine :)  He also gets very meowy and cuddly after baths for no apparent reason but I'll take it :rub:

I'll also stick to your last suggestion that he was just looking to change things up a bit :high5:

Thanks for listening and support :)
:beerpals:
 
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