Gaze/stare (is this normal?)

moonstr80

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
33
Purraise
4
Perry does this a lot does your cat has tendency to stare or day dream no idea how else to explain it. Here's example I took a picture of what he looks like. I wonder if it is wiring down before sleeping?

 

betsygee

Just what part of meow don't you understand.
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
28,330
Purraise
17,465
Location
Central Coast CA, USA
My cat Zoe does that.  She looks like she's asleep, but her eyes are open.  I always wonder what she's thinking about.  
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

moonstr80

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
33
Purraise
4
My cat Zoe does that.  She looks like she's asleep, but her eyes are open.  I always wonder what she's thinking about.  :think:
Thank you for responding. Maybe that is it he's sleeping with his eyes open [emoji]128514[/emoji] he's deep in thought
 

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,122
Purraise
23,104
Location
near Boston
My guy does that also.. It kind of worries me, but I have gotten used to it. 

I had an older neighbor visiting, who never had cats, and never really cared for a pet. This is funny: She saw Artie doing the staring into space thing... She went crazy thinking he was having a seizure or dying or something. She could not understand why I just sat there and said, 

"oh yeah, he is ok.. thats normal"... 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

moonstr80

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
33
Purraise
4
My guy does that also.. It kind of worries me, but I have gotten used to it. 

I had an older neighbor visiting, who never had cats, and never really cared for a pet. This is funny: She saw Artie doing the staring into space thing... She went crazy thinking he was having a seizure or dying or something. She could not understand why I just sat there and said, 
"oh yeah, he is ok.. thats normal"... 
[emoji]128514[/emoji] Nah! No seizures that I see ... I suppose I think he's think I'm a deep thought...
 

tarasgirl06

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
24,708
Purraise
64,893
Location
Glendale, CATifornia
Nothing abnormal that I can see - he is probably thinking or daydreaming, just like a lot of us do.  Perry is a very fine cat, by the way -- I love the look of black longhaired cats very much. 
 

KatKnapper

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Messages
243
Purraise
189
Location
Cat in the window
Note how Perry folds under and lays on the front paws.  I notice mine does this on a perch that is an arm's length away over my shoulders as I sit at the PC.  He also stares straight forward but will focus my computer screen or my face if I turn and look at him.  He never leaves that position.  I think it's their version of being in a hammock.
 

msFriday

Smokey at 7 months and Indy at 5 years
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 18, 2017
Messages
53
Purraise
62
Location
Christiansburg, VA
I just joined TCS a few minutes ago (can't sleep, it's 4:30 am) and I had to say -- Perry is gorgeous!  I have always loved black cats, especially long-haired beauties!  I was lucky enough to be owned by one many years ago, and he has been my favorite cat so far.

I think it's normal cat behavior.  I have only had my current cat, Indy, for 3 months (he is almost 4, and had lived his whole life in a cat rescue), and he does this a lot.  He loves to lay with his front paws tucked in and just stare at nothing, and I've seen him do it while sitting, too.  I think of it as his "waiting for something interesting to happen" mode.  I don't know if he does it when he's alone, because obviously he's near me when I see him do it.  

Maybe, in Indy's case,  he's just enjoying the peace and quiet here (he lived with 106 other cats, so he probably never had a moment's peace or a good night's sleep until he moved in with us!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

moonstr80

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
33
Purraise
4
Not to discount the more positive responses so far to your post, but I do think this Cat Site article is very helpful:

"35 Signs That Your Cat May Be In Pain"
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/35-signs-that-your-cat-may-be-in-pain

How old is your cat Perry?
Thanks you kindly for the info on 35 signs. I dunno if Perry is in any pain. I'm such a worry wart about my cat. Perry is 4 years old.

Maybe it's contemplation "what am
I doing with my lives?"
[emoji]128514[/emoji] he is such a complimentary boy and regal. I suppose he is.

My Zoe is a long-haired black cat, too. They're beautiful cats.
Thanks [emoji]128151[/emoji] Yes they are!

I just joined TCS a few minutes ago (can't sleep, it's 4:30 am) and I had to say -- Perry is gorgeous!  I have always loved black cats, especially long-haired beauties!  I was lucky enough to be owned by one many years ago, and he has been my favorite cat so far.

I think it's normal cat behavior.  I have only had my current cat, Indy, for 3 months (he is almost 4, and had lived his whole life in a cat rescue), and he does this a lot.  He loves to lay with his front paws tucked in and just stare at nothing, and I've seen him do it while sitting, too.  I think of it as his "waiting for something interesting to happen" mode.  I don't know if he does it when he's alone, because obviously he's near me when I see him do it.  

Maybe, in Indy's case,  he's just enjoying the peace and quiet here (he lived with 106 other cats, so he probably never had a moment's peace or a good night's sleep until he moved in with us!
I do gather it's a normalcy of what cats do. Could be deep meditation in zen. I do find black cats are distinctive beautiful and regel cats. Indy now can live a happier and zen life, Perry is the only cat.

Note how Perry folds under and lays on the front paws.  I notice mine does this on a perch that is an arm's length away over my shoulders as I sit at the PC.  He also stares straight forward but will focus my computer screen or my face if I turn and look at him.  He never leaves that position.  I think it's their version of being in a hammock.
I do wonder now you mentioned the arms folds and how he lays on them. Do they fall asleep? I suppose his deep in thought Perry version of being in a hammock, that is new to me never heard of it

Nothing abnormal that I can see - he is probably thinking or daydreaming, just like a lot of us do.  Perry is a very fine cat, by the way -- I love the look of black longhaired cats very much. :blackcat: :heart3:
Thank you [emoji]128151[/emoji] He very well could be in complete zen
 

KatKnapper

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Messages
243
Purraise
189
Location
Cat in the window
I do wonder now you mentioned the arms folds and how he lays on them. Do they fall asleep? I suppose his deep in thought Perry version of being in a hammock, that is new to me never heard of it
Thank you [emoji]128151[/emoji] He very well could be in complete zen
If Perry could sing, I reasoned his choice of song to you would be "As Long As You Love Me," by the Backstreet Boys.

"Perry's version of being in a hammock," I was just saying he is probably zoned out or as you say in "zen" mode.  The paws tucked under seems similar to when we have both elbows on the desk or dinner table, with our face resting between our palms.  Of all the times I have noticed my cat in this posture, he is never asleep.
 

catspaw66

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
5,508
Purraise
1,616
Location
Waldron, Arkansas
Perry is just using feline telepathy to report what he has observed to the mother ship. When they have enough informationally they are going to enslave all humans - not just cat lovers. [emoji]128568[/emoji].

Actually, I see The Ladies doing the same as Perry quite often. If you have serious concerns, see or call Perry's doctor.
 

raysmyheart

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
2,866
Purraise
8,640
Location
Massachusetts
My Speedy does this too.  She takes the same pose as Perry (tucked legs under body) and will start to look half-asleep and just keep her pose like that for the longest time.    I always think this is a "stage" before going to sleep.  It is like she is monitoring her environment by staying still and "tuning in" to noises to make sure she is safe before falling fully asleep.   I may have read this is a built-in instinct, but I'm not sure.  Perry is so beautiful!
 

louche

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 15, 2016
Messages
22
Purraise
27
Location
ugh usa
If there is a problem, every single cat including strays i've ever met would be in a bad way. I would concur it's typical. I think they are just in a relaxed state. They do observe a lot so it could them doing what they do best. Maybe for some assurance, Grimmy was doing the same thing for maybe 20 minutes. She just did that little head bob with slow blink and went to sleep ;f

Of course, best thing to do is observe, take note if anything changes in your cat's behaviour, and have a vet check up.
 
Top