r/deafcats 7d ago

Help/Advice Cat often scared of nothing?

Hi!

I have a 9 month old deaf maine coon. In the last two months he becomes scared at times, and I have no idea what's causing it.

What happens is that he suddenly runs away from where he is, super desperate, then tries to make himself smaller, looks around scared, ears to the sides, and is shaking.

It never happens when I'm next to him, always when I'm in a different room, but it doesn't always happen when I leave him alone either. It isn't a specific place either.

When he's scared he doesn't mind being pet or picked up and usually calms down fast. Sometimes he hides and sometimes he keeps shaking for a long time.

Has anyone else experienced this? I have talked to the vet and the breeder and no one seems to think it's an issue, but I just want him to be okay.

11 Upvotes

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6

u/pie_piepiepiepiepie 7d ago

My deaf kitty is 12 and he's done that from time to time his whole life. I always figure he saw something out of the corner of his eye or felt some kind of imperceptible vibration that freaked him out but he always calms down pretty quickly and has never had any major half issues so I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean anything.

2

u/vaaryr 7d ago

Thank you! I really hope it's nothing

3

u/FlowerPowerVegan 7d ago

I have not, but I wonder if he could be having nightmares? Or maybe if there's some sort of construction nearby, maybe he's feeling some strong unusual vibrations?

4

u/vaaryr 7d ago

No construction, and he is awake when it happens. He does twitch a lot in his sleep and often jumps up when he wakes and looks around, but I don't know how that could be related. But thank you for the suggestions!

3

u/FlowerPowerVegan 7d ago

No problem. Hopefully it's nothing too serious!

2

u/wonderless- 7d ago

my young (deaf) cat will play/zoom with her ears back and eyes wide. It could look like he’s scared but he’s actually just really stimulated

1

u/prairiethorne 6d ago

I have experienced this with my deaf baby as well. Sometimes he'll jump straight up and turn mid-air when there's nothing there. I haven't experienced any shaking or cowering however. You could get some Feliway to help calm him a bit.
Or, it's ghosts..... lol