Cat acting suddenly paranoid

by Christine
(Massachusetts)

Two days ago, it was a perfectly normal day...nothing different about it. We fed our cats and our older cat (4 years old) came out of the kitchen to start cleaning himself...which is very typical behavior. Then suddenly he got a twitch and jumped. He began to run from room to room twitching his tail and back leg. I didn't think much of it; I figured something bit him so I checked him for fleas and I also checked the floor. Both cats have always been indoor so I wasn't surprised that I didn't find any fleas.

Since then, he has been acting very paranoid. If he wants to get somewhere he runs instead of walks. He's constantly looking around, twitches and then cleans his tail and back legs frantically. He seems physically fine because when we pet him he chirps and rolls like normal but when he he wants to go somewhere he runs. His behavior started to go back to normal about 36 hours later but then last night the behavior started all over again. His back twitches (which he does when he's nervous or scared). He runs and hides under desks and/or beds.

Our other cat is perfectly fine. Nothing seems to be bothering her but she certainly has noticed my older cats odd behavior. I got him to eat a little bit but he's too jumpy to eat.

I'm worried about him. This came on so suddenly but there has been nothing that could have caused it. No storms, or loud bangs or anything. Please give me some insight. Right now I'm concerned that he might have a brain tumor or something.

Thank you for your help!

Reply
Hi
well it does sound very similar to something my previous cat suffered from. Although she was flea free they can still get on the cat now and again even if indoor all the time (the little blighter's get in somehow). It turned out that although she not have fleas if one bit her she would suffer an allergic reaction which would trigger this itching and running around behavior. It was very distressing to see and for the cat too. we used to have to take her to the vet for an injection which would calm the reaction down.

It may be something similar in your cats case.

If it continues for more than a few days then it may be an idea to have him checked by the vet.

I have a page about cat allergies which you may find of further interest here

http://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-allergy.html

best wishes kate