Why Is My Cat Acting Strange And Scared All Of A Sudden?

Has your cat started to act scared and strange all of a sudden, and you’re not sure why? Sudden changes in behavior can be red flags and you’re right to be concerned.

There are many reasons why a cat may start to act fearfully or strangely – seemingly out of the blue – and it’s important to first determine the cause so you can take the appropriate action.

In this article, I’ll explore possible reasons for a sudden change in your kitty’s behavior so you’ll have a better understanding of what could be causing his unease, as well as provide a variety of solutions to help him get back to his usual self.

How cats tell us when they’re afraid

Cats let us know how they’re feeling through their body language.

The signs can be both subtle and obvious, but some of the most common signs of fear in cats include:

• Running away
• Hiding (this may be underneath furniture, in a cupboard, or on a high shelf)
• Freezing in place or making themselves appear smaller by crouching lower to the ground
• Cringing or cowering
• Arching the back and puffing up the tail
• Tucking the tail under or swishing the tip quickly side to side
• Moving the ears quickly (as they try to listen) or flattening the ears close to the head
• Wide eyes with big pupils
• Growling, hissing, or spitting
• Swatting, scratching, or biting
• Peeing or pooping outside the litter tray
• Not eating or drinking, and/or performing other survival functions
• Only eating, drinking, and/or performing other survival functions when there are no humans around
• Only playing when there are no humans around

Paying attention to the way your cat moves and behaves can provide vital feedback on how he’s feeling in any given situation.

Reasons your cat is acting strange and scared

You’re already aware that your kitty is acting strange and scared. But why? What could have happened to cause this sudden shift in his behavior?

Let’s look at some of the most common reasons.

Your cat is sick, injured, or in pain

If your cat is suddenly acting strange and scared, it’s possible he may be sick, injured, or in pain and finding it difficult to settle and get comfortable.

Cats often hide away when they’re hurt or in pain as a way of keeping themselves safe from predators and potential threats. It’s a survival strategy – so you may find your cat starts hiding away.

Additionally, if he’s in pain, he might go out of his way to avoid physical contact because he doesn’t want to risk being touched in the area where it’s painful, so you may find that he keeps running away from you,

He may also become more vigilant, startle more easily than usual, or behave in a skittish manner that’s just completely out of character.

If you notice any sudden changes like this in your cat’s behavior, it is important to rule out any possible health issues and the best thing to do is to see your veterinarian as soon as possible to get a thorough examination.

If the reason for the anxious behavior is something to do with your cat’s physical health, you’ll be able to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to help him feel better.

Otherwise, once you’ve ruled out potential medical conditions, you can work on addressing a possible behavioral issue.

Loss of hearing or vision

Aside from illness, physical pain, or injury, your furry friend may have started acting scared and strange due to a loss of vision or hearing.

When a cat is losing his ability to hear he may no longer respond to sounds, have trouble waking up, and meow louder than usual.

Cats that have impaired hearing can also startle easily due to their inability to detect incoming objects or sounds – especially if you approach from behind and they haven’t seen you.

Similarly, a cat experiencing vision loss may be startled by the sudden presence of an object, person, or another animal.

He may also have difficulty estimating distances correctly when jumping onto furniture and other objects.

Watch out for signs of disorientation in your cat too, as this could be another indication his eyesight is deteriorating (MediVet, 2022).

Case Study: Millie – Sudden loss of vision

This reminds me of the time our old cat Millie suddenly started behaving very strangely.

She was about 20 years old at the time (we adopted her aged 16 when she’d been dumped in a Los Angeles shelter and was about to be euthanized) and in pretty good health for her age, if a touch arthritic. She was also on medication for hyperthyroidism.

One morning I went into the mud room and found small bits of cat litter scattered all over the floor, and Millie seemed very subdued. But she ate breakfast and was responsive and so I cleared up the mess and carried on with the day.

We had other cats in the house so I couldn’t be sure what had happened, but I felt like something was not quite right with Millie. She was withdrawn usual and just not herself.

I kept an eye on her and she remained quiet but was still eating, drinking, and moving around okay. But a few days later she had a seizure on the floor right in front of me. It was terrifying. I thought she was dying.

We held our collective breath for what seemed like hours but what in reality was about 10 seconds. When it was over, she just lay there and I was so relieved to see that she was still breathing.

Thankfully, she recovered and was back to normal after a few minutes, if somewhat disoriented and exhausted.

We consulted our vet and were given some new medication for her. But I could tell something was still wrong. She just sat around staring blankly and was unresponsive when she’d previously been so affectionate and engaging.

A couple of days later I was sitting next to Millie on the sofa when it became apparent that her pupils were dilated to the max and she looked increasingly spaced out.

I waved my hand in front of her eyes a few times. She didn’t react. I realized with horror that she couldn’t see anything.

I thought maybe it was the new medication. But she was scared to jump down off the sofa. When I gently placed her on the floor, she started bumping into things when she tried to maneuver around.

We consulted the vet again. There was more medication and then a few days of wait-and-see. But sadly our sweet girl deteriorated and we had to make that most dreaded of all decisions and let her go.

I hope Millie’s story highlights the importance of taking sudden changes in behavior seriously, and why your veterinarian should always be your first port of call if you notice anything unusual.

Your cat is getting older

As well as issues with hearing and vision, cats can experience physical and cognitive changes as they age, just like humans do.

Signs of cognitive dysfunction in older cats can include fear and anxiety, changes in how they interact with their owners, disorientation, confusion as to what day or time it is, and other uncharacteristic behaviors.

So if you have an elderly cat, this could explain why he is acting scared and strange – it’s his way of telling you that something is going on.

If you suspect your cat is experiencing cognitive changes due to aging, please do speak to your veterinarian for a diagnosis and recommendations for managing his health.

There are still plenty of things pet owners can do to help their senior cats more comfortable in their twilight years.

Your cat is stressed

There are many reasons cats can be prone to stress, which can manifest as unexpected unusual or fearful behavior.

For example, it’s common for cats to become overwhelmed if their environment changes suddenly. Any major life change can cause a great deal of uncertainty and fear.

Say you’ve just moved house or moved the furniture around. These both mark a significant change and can be a huge deal for the resident kitty.

Maybe you’ve got visitors who have taken over the room where he normally hangs out, or you’ve been carrying out noisy renovations.

Maybe you’ve adopted a new pet or brought home a new baby and the resident cat’s not too keen.

For the newly adopted cat, he is most likely feeling stressed from being in a new environment for the first time, with strange people he doesn’t yet know or trust, not to mention all manner of new things and unfamiliar scents and sounds.

There may also be other pets in the household for the new cat to contend with in his new home, or a crying baby, or noisy toddlers – which he’s just not used to.

Or, maybe you’ve been on vacation and left him at a cattery or with a pet sitter. Maybe he’s just come back from a scary experience at the vet and is freaking out a little.

Cats can also be sensitive to sudden movements or loud noises, which can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.

Sometimes they can get stressed if their owner gets sick, or if there’s a lot of tension in the home.

Any such changes in your cat’s environment can pose a threat to his sense of security and make him feel unsafe.

As a consequence, he may start acting scared and strange, exhibiting signs of distress such as increased vocalization, destructive behaviors, hiding, grooming excessively, loss of appetite, running away, aggressive behavior, hyper behavior, inappropriate elimination, and more.

Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is a feeling of worry or stress that happens when a cat is separated from a person or pet he is very bonded to.

Separation anxiety can range from mild to severe and the early signs can be easy to miss – some cats will start to feel anxious before the person leaves because they know the signs, like if you pick up your keys or grab your bag.

So you might find your cat goes and hides, starts meowing excessively, follows you around, or even tries to block the door so you can’t leave.

In some cats, undesirable behaviors such as vomiting, excessive grooming, inappropriate elimination (often on personal items like clothes or bedding), not eating, and destructiveness may be triggered (Fear Free Happy Homes, 2022).

Don’t worry – these behaviors are anxiety-related, not an attempt to make life difficult for you! So if your cat is acting scared and strange, pay attention to possible triggers for the behavior.

Loud noises

Cats have exceptional hearing capabilities compared to humans and can detect sounds as low as 20 Hz and as high as 64,000 Hz. By comparison, humans can hear only up to 20,000 Hz) (FirstVet, 2021).

This makes them capable of hearing sounds four to five times farther away than we can.

Because of their superior and sensitive hearing, cats can get very unsettled around loud noises like thunder, fireworks, construction, the garbage truck, or emergency vehicle sirens going past.

It’s also possible that your cat is acting strange or scared due to a sudden noise inside the home, such as vacuuming, hammering, or drilling.

Scary experiences

Cats have complex emotions and can often feel stressed, scared, or agitated when they are around another cat or person they don’t get along with or feel safe with.

When a cat has had a fight or is being bullied by another cat in the home environment, is being chased by the family dog, or is being punished for what his humans consider to be undesirable behavior, this will make him feel unsafe and insecure, leading to changes in his behavior and cause him to act strange and scared.

He might hide under furniture more than normal, meow or scratch more often, or even urinate in the house.

What should I do if my cat is acting strange and scared?

The above list presents some of the most common reasons a cat may suddenly start to act strangely or fearfully but that’s not to say there won’t be others.

All cats are individuals and will have their own little quirks and sensitivities, so it’s important to be aware of that too.

Let’s now look at ways you can help your furry friend feel calmer and less stressed, so he no longer feels the need to act scared and strange.

Provide a safe space

Building your cat a safe room can be a great way to reduce his stress levels and make him feel more secure.

A spare room or bathroom works best for this, or somewhere else quiet tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the house.

Fill kitty’s room with all of the essentials – some tasty treats, a water dish, a selection of food bowls, a litter box, and a scratching post.

Keep it off-limits to other pets and children so your anxious cat has a safe area to call his own and give him all the security he needs to start feeling at ease.

Environmental enrichment 

Give your cat the perfect playground by creating plenty of cozy, hidden spots, including cardboard boxes, which research shows can help reduce kitty stress (Kry & Casey, 2007).

Set up a cat tree or high shelf to provide vertical space where your cat can safely survey her domain, and top it all off with scent enrichment of catnip or silvervine on toys and bedding.

If you have more than one cat, make sure there are multiple resources so each cat’s needs are met, as well as feeding stations in different locations and litter boxes for each cat – plus one extra.

That way there’s less competition over resources and each cat can feel more relaxed in his environment.

If your cat is acting strange and scared because of loud noise or something else scary in his environment, here’s a great little video from the PDSA showing how to make a quick and easy fireworks den to help him feel safer:

Mental stimulation 

Mental stimulation is key to keeping cats sharp and engaged – that’s why interactive toys, clicker training sessions, puzzle feeders, and simple paper bag treats are great enrichment tools.

Activating the brain’s “seeking” system helps encourage exploratory behavior in cats, which brings with it a dopamine reward to make them feel happy and content.

The more a cat engages his rational brain, the more inhibited his emotional brain will be, meaning he’s less likely to keep acting strange and scared.

Oh, and if you were wondering where to start with clicker training your cat, here’s a handy video from Cat School Clicker Training on how to train a cat to focus by using a target stick, which would be a good place to start building his confidence:

Positive interactions

Make sure all your interactions with your cat are positive to build up trust and promote bonding.

Whenever he wants to come and hang out, reward him with treats, petting in his favorite spot (often the face, lips, chin, or neck areas), or a fun game.

If he’s hiding, there’s no rush. Talk to him quietly and calmly, use slow blinking to tell him you’re not a threat, scatter some treats and then retreat.

Play

Play can help strengthen your bond with your cat while reducing stress levels and elevating his emotional state to one of happiness.

If you can, carve out time each day to engage in interactive play – it can be anything from playing a game of tug-of-war with a piece of string or feather wand toy to throwing a crumpled-up paper ball for your kitty to pounce on.

Not only does this help fulfill his natural predatory instincts, but it’s also a good way for him to get some physical exercise which will help him feel more relaxed overall.

Stay calm

It’s important to remain calm and relaxed around your cat even if you’re feeling anxious or stressed.

Cats can easily pick up on their owner’s moods, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion.

Reacting to things in a calm, positive manner will better ensure that your kitty stays calm and is less likely to get scared when there’s a thunderstorm or you’re moving house, for example.

Desensitization and counter conditioning

Desensitization and counter conditioning, aka DS/CC, are big words but are useful concepts to know about when dealing with a scared cat.

Desensitization means slowly introducing your cat to a stimulus he fears at a very low level. At the same time, you observe him very carefully and make sure he stays relaxed and stress-free.

Say he’s scared of the noise from fireworks. You could find a video of fireworks on YouTube and play it at a very low volume.

If he shows no signs of fear or stress, increase the volume slightly and repeat. Keep doing this, always watching for signs of stress. Stop and go back a step if he has a negative reaction.

This process can take time, so just go at your cat’s pace and don’t try to rush it.

At the same time, you can use counter conditioning as the two techniques go hand in hand.

Counter conditioning is a technique whereby you can change your cat’s emotional response to a stimulus he’s scared of.

You do this by associating the stimulus with something positive, such as a favorite treat or even chin rubs – anything the cat loves and values highly.

By giving your cat a reward when you play the fireworks sound at a low volume, your cat will start to replace his fear with the more positive emotion associated with getting the reward.

This is done through repeated, controlled exposures to the scary thing coupled with rewarding positive reactions (PetMD, 2022).

The DS/CC process can be tricky to implement so you may want to consider enlisting the help of a certified feline behavior professional to support you through the process. I’ll list my recommendations at the end of this article.

Friends for Life Animal Shelter in Houston, Texas has done some amazing work with rehabilitating fearful cats, so I highly recommend taking a look at their videos to get some more ideas about how you can help your cat when he’s acting scared and strange:

Routine

Given that cats are creatures of habit who don’t always do so well with change, creating a fixed daily routine can go a long way toward making your cat feel more secure.

So keep feeding times, one-on-one time, play, going outdoors, and bedtime at the same time as much as possible so your cat knows what to expect.

This will help him feel more in control and lessen his anxiety.

Pheromones

Cats use pheromones to communicate with one another through scents secreted from glands around their chin, lips, cheeks, face, and base of the tail.

Feliway is a product that mimics these natural pheromones and can be used in the form of a spray or diffuser to create a calmer atmosphere in a home environment and may help reduce stress levels.

Rescue Remedy

Another option for calming your cat’s anxieties is a few drops of Rescue® Pet added to his water or food.

Rescue® Pet is a combination flower essence remedy that supports emotional and healthy behavior in pets, as per the manufacturer.

Cat music

Perhaps surprisingly, bringing down your cat’s stress levels may be as simple as putting on some soothing tunes.

Music specifically designed for cats, such as iCalmPet’s Through a Cat’s Ear, can help reduce anxiety levels in some cats.

Personally, I like to play my cats classical music featuring violins – they seem to find it quite relaxing.

What should I not do if my cat is acting strange and scared?

If your cat is acting strange and scared, it’s best not to try to chase after him if he wants to hide away.

If he does this, instead of trying to lure him out from his hiding place, allow him some space and time until he feels safe enough to come back out on his own terms.

Above all, don’t punish your cat for displaying fear-related behaviors. This will just reinforce his anxiety with the added risk of making him scared of you. The last thing you want to do is make him more scared.

Behavior doesn’t just happen in a vacuum and there’s always a reason for it. So if your feline friend is acting scared or strange because he feels threatened or unsafe, offer calm reassurance and provide comfort if he seeks you out. And try to figure out the reason for his distress so you can act accordingly.

My cat is scared of something I can’t see

There are some significant differences in how cats and humans view the world, the most noticeable being color perception.

While humans have far more cone cells to detect a greater variety of hues and tones, cats lack sensitivity to red shades. However, they can discern blues and purples.

Cats also have an advantage when it comes to vision in low light conditions, which makes them well-equipped for nocturnal hunting. In comparison, our own eyesight is vastly inferior.

This means that sometimes your cat will see something that you can’t and perhaps explains why cats will sometimes look up at the ceiling for no apparent reason and look like they’re following something with their eyes.

Even though nothing is there.

When I was growing up, we lived in a 400-year-old cottage in England. One day our lovely Siamese cat Suki was behaving strangely, looking at something in the corner of the hallway and acting very scared. But there was nothing there.

My dad picked her up to try to comfort her. She backed up his arm and onto his shoulder, staring intently at the same spot and growling with her hair standing on end.

What could she see that was making her act so strangely? We have no idea. It never happened again.

Make of that what you will. Sometimes our cats may be acting scared and strange for reasons we will never know.

READ NEXT

25 Tips For Helping Your New Shy Or Fearful Cat To Adjust

Resources

• Clicker Train Your Cat To Touch A Target Stick [Video] – Cat School Clicker Training
• Conquer Your Cat’s Fear of the Big, Bad Vacuum – Sally Bahner
• Do Cats See Color? – Ryan Llera and Lynn Buzhardt
• Fraidy Cat Program – Friends for Life Animal Shelter
• How To: Make A Fireworks Den For Your Cat – PDSA
• How To Tell If Your Cat Is Blind Or Deaf – MediVet
• How well do cats hear? – FirstVet
• Stress Sponges: How Cats Pick Up On Our Emotions – Sandra Toney
• The effect of hiding enrichment on stress levels and behaviour of domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus) in a shelter setting and the implications for adoption potential – K. Kry & R. Casey
• The Ultimate Guide to Cat Anxiety – PetMD
• They’re Not Loners: Cats Can Have Separation Anxiety, Too – Ramona Marek
• Thunder Cats? Felines Can Be Fearful Of Storms, Too – Fear Free Happy Homes

NEED HELP FROM A CAT BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST?

If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a certified feline behavior consultant. They will be able to offer you tailored advice for your cat(s) and situation.

Good places to start are:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior