Why is my cat staring at the wall?

Updated 25/06/2024

Ever lose yourself in a daydream as you stare off into the distance, completely absorbed in your own little world? Now, imagine catching your furry friend in a similar trance, perhaps even staring at a wall as if watching paint dry. Have they seen a ghost, or is there another explanation for their wall-watching antics? We’re here to get to the bottom of why you might spot your cat staring at a wall, and when to be concerned.

Why is my cat staring at the wall?

Your cat's listening to something

Our feline friends have a few tricks up their whiskers that might surprise you; first on the list is their hearing. That’s right, while we’re straining to hear sounds at a mere 20,000Hz, cats can tune into frequencies as high as 64,000Hz, which means their hearing is 3x better than a simple human’s. Why are we telling you this? If you’re thinking “my cat is staring at the wall for no reason", it might mean they’re actually listening to something that’s out of your hearing range. They could be pricking up their ears to anything from water running through the pipes to your next-door neighbor watching TV, and if this is the case, they may turn their ears towards the sound and half-close their eyes in concentration. 

Your cat's watching something

If you were impressed by a cat’s hearing, you won’t be surprised to learn that our furry felines have certain all-seeing powers, too. Although their vision doesn’t trump a human’s in all areas (we can see more colors, for example), they can see better in low-light conditions than we can, thanks to being crepuscular creatures (meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk). In addition, their peripheral vision spans 200 degrees, which far outdoes our 180 degrees. This exceptional eyesight enables cats to detect the tiniest details that we might miss, from little bugs to faint specks of light, and could explain why your cat keeps staring at the wall.   

Your cat's bored

Cats may stare at nothing (or the wall) when they’re bored, so it could be a sign they’re not sufficiently mentally stimulated and they’re giving you the cold shoulder. Interactive cat toys and puzzles are excellent ways of keeping your furry friend happy and entertained, triggering their natural instincts and providing much-needed mental and physical exercise.

Health problems

While cat wall gazing is typically nothing to worry about, it may occasionally be a symptom of a health condition (and no, there’s no such thing as cat staring at wall disease). 

Feline cognitive dysfunction

Otherwise known as cat dementia, feline cognitive dysfunction typically affects older cats over the age of 10. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, symptoms of the disorder include:

• Disorientation and confusion
• Getting lost in unfamiliar territory 
• Reduced enthusiasm to play
• Excessive sleeping
• Changes in sleep-wake cycle
• Gazing into space or at walls for long periods of time
• Lack of interest in food and water
• Doing their business outside the litter box
• Unexpected bouts of loud meowing

If you’ve got an elderly cat who’s staring at the wall, unfortunately there’s no cure. You can, however, make your furry friend more comfortable by sticking to a daily routine and making sure everything they need is within easy reach. 

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome

Feline hyperesthesia is a rare condition in which muscles contract uncontrollably, causing your kitty cat to twitch, often for no apparent reason. Hypersensitivity is the most common symptom, and you may notice your furry friend switching suddenly from manic grooming to zoning out in a trance, perhaps even staring at the wall. The following symptoms are linked to feline hyperesthesia:

• Hypersensitivity (usually on the back and in front of the tail)
• Gazing into space or at walls for long periods of time
• Excessive grooming and scratching
• Loud yowling or meowing
• Dilated pupils
• Drooling

If your furry friend’s displaying any of the symptoms above, it’s important to schedule a checkup at the vet. If possible, record a video of your furry friend during one of these episodes, as it will be very helpful for the vet when determining the diagnosis. 

Head pressing 

Although it goes beyond simply staring into space, if you notice your furry feline persistently pressing their head against a wall for extended periods of time, this may be cause for concern. Not to be confused with affectionate headbutting, head pressing may be a sign your cat’s suffering from one of the following medical conditions:

• Prosencephalon disease
• Viral or fungal infection
• Stroke 
• Brain tumor
• Head trauma 
• Poisoning 

While there are many logical reasons why cats stare at walls, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for signs it’s something more serious. But who's best to take on this important task while you’re away? Our house and pet sitters, of course! Providing round-the-clock care and companionship for your fuzzy felines, our loving pet sitters will ensure you’re the first to know about any changes in your purr pal’s behavior. Just make sure you give your cat sitter the run down of what’s normal and what’s not, so they’re fully equipped to spot anything out of the ordinary. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.