Have you ever worried about your cat getting stuck in a daze? Seeing your cat zone out can be an unsettling situation to have to handle. Whilst there are reasons for it that may be nothing to worry about, there are some conditions that require prompt veterinary intervention. This post will go through some of the common causes for zoning out, when to worry, and what your vet may do to investigate and treat your cat. Remember, if you are concerned about even a minor change in your pet’s health or behaviour, it is always best to seek veterinary support as soon as possible to protect your pet’s wellbeing.
But first, what does ‘zoning out’ even mean?
‘Zoning out’ may mean slightly different things to different people. To some, zoning out may simply mean drifting off to sleep, but to others it implies being unresponsive to stimuli in the environment. It’s best to be as clear and specific as possible when describing your cat’s behaviour to your vet. If you can, it is especially important to clarify your cat’s state of consciousness during these episodes of zoning out. Taking a video can be a helpful tool to show your veterinarian exactly what has been going on. If your cat is zoning out regularly, consider starting a diary to track and monitor each episode. Passing on this information to your vet could be very useful.
What could be causing my cat to zone out?
There could be several reasons your cat is zoning out, those related to ageing are less concerning. However, some of the neurological and pain-related issues often require prompt investigation and intervention. Complete loss of consciousness is a lot more serious than just ‘zoning out’ and could be due to serious cardiac issues.
Normal behaviour
Just like in humans, all animals are prone to the odd moment of zoning out! If the episode is a one-off, brief incident and your cat appears otherwise normal, it could be nothing to worry about. We are more likely to see episodes of harmless zoning out in our ageing cats. This may be due to a natural decline in vision or hearing. However, if your cat is experiencing frequent episodes of zoning out, shows other clinical signs, cannot be roused, or becomes unconscious, speak to a vet as soon as possible to see what else could be going on.
Pain
Severe pain can lead to a depressed demeanour, which for a normal spritely cat, could make them seem relatively zoned out. Cats are typically very stoic and are good at hiding signs of pain. If your cat becomes quiet, stops eating, or resists handling, it could indicate they are in pain. It is always best to take your cat to the vet if you think they are pain. Your vet will be able to perform a clinical exam and the necessary diagnostic tests to reveal any potential problems.
Anxiety
New cat on the block? Not all cats will express their anxiety through vocalisation etc. Anxiety can cause some cats to freeze, where they may appear to be in an unresponsive ‘trance-like’ state. Consider whether there have been any recent changes to your cat’s environment that could be causing them to feel anxious.
Neurological problems
Neurological disease is a common cause for unresponsiveness in animals. Epilepsy and brain tumours can cause seizures, which can present with confusion and unresponsiveness, or ‘zoning out’. You would typically expect to see other neurological signs during a seizure, such as twitching, pupil dilation, and lip licking. We tend to see head tilts, circling and a lack of coordination with the presence of brain tumours. Toxin ingestion is another common cause for neurological signs, including unresponsiveness.
Leaving seizures and toxin ingestion untreated can be fatal. If you think your cat is having a seizure, contact your veterinarian immediately for medical intervention. If your cat has had more than 2 seizures without full recovery in-between or a seizure lasting over 5 minutes, it is particularly important to seek emergency veterinary help. Not sure if your cat has eaten something they shouldn’t have? It’s always best to take them to the vet for the appropriate treatment, just in case.
Our older cats can also develop cognitive dysfunction, or feline dementia. Just like in humans, the brain starts to slow down and lose function with ageing. Cats with feline dementia may appear confused and ‘spaced out’ from time to time. A change in behaviour, such as aggression or urinating in unusual places, are also characteristic of feline dementia. Whilst there is no cure, dietary supplementation and changes to the environment can be helpful in managing feline dementia.
Hearing or sight problems
Poor hearing and sight mean your cat may not respond as well to stimuli in their environment. This could give the impression they are zoned out within an environment of chaos and noise! There can many reasons for hearing and sight problems, and these are commonly seen in our ageing feline friends. If you are concerned that your young cat has problems with its sight or hearing, take them to your vet for further investigation.
How do I find out the cause of my cat zoning out?
Seeing as there are several possible causes for zoning out in cats, your vet will need to start a diagnostic investigation. This will start off with a thorough history, your vet may ask you some of the following questions, so consider thinking about them before your visit:
- Are they conscious or asleep?
- Are they sat up or lying down during these episodes?
- How often does this happen?
- When did it start happening?
- Are they showing any other abnormal signs?
- Can they be roused out of the zone?
- Have they eaten anything they shouldn’t have that you’re aware of?
- Have there been any recent changes to their environment or diet?
- Have they recently started any new medications?
Your vet will then perform a clinical exam to assess your cat’s overall health. This gives the vet an opportunity to spot anything abnormal from the outside. Remember to show them any videos you have of your cat zoning out.
Due to the long list of potential causes, it is unlikely that your vet will know for certain the exact cause of your cat’s zoning out just from this initial assessment. However, the findings from the history and clinical exam may help your vet to select their next step in the diagnostic process. The next set of tests could include bloodwork, specific tests for infectious agents, or imaging.
Some of the neurological conditions mentioned above may require more advanced diagnostic procedures, such as an MRI at a referral centre. It would be worth checking what your insurance can cover, to see if your pet is eligible for these options prior to your first opinion consultation.
Does my cat need treatment?
Whether your cat needs treatment or not will entirely depend on the underlying cause. Little can be done for age-related causes, but at home modifications can make your cat feel as comfortable and safe as possible, particularly if their sight and hearing are affected. Dietary supplements, such as omega-3s, are reported to improve cognitive function in cats with signs of dementia. Zoning out due to anxiety and stress may benefit from the use of pheromone diffusers at home.
Some causes of zoning out may be more serious than others and will require immediate veterinary treatment. Many of the drugs used to treat pathological diseases in cats will require a veterinary prescription. Do not give any medications or supplements to your cat without consulting a vet first!
Unfortunately, some of the more sinister neurological conditions, including brain tumours, may require intensive treatment protocols to overcome. Your vet can help assess the benefits, risks, and costs so that you can make an educated and informed decision on how to proceed.
When should I worry about my cat zoning out?
There are several scenarios where zoning out should be treated as an emergency, including:
- Signs that your cat is unconscious e.g. not breathing or collapsed
- Frequent episodes
- Signs of a seizure e.g. twitching or post-episode confusion
- Other concerning changes in behaviour e.g. aggression or not eating
In these instances, you should contact your vet immediately for a work-up and necessary treatment.
Conclusion
While it’s easy to brush off your cat’s zoning out as quirky behaviour, it’s important to identify subtle changes that could point to something more serious. Occasional daydreaming might be perfectly normal, especially in older cats, but frequent episodes of unresponsiveness shouldn’t be ignored. Underlying causes can range from pain, anxiety, and sensory decline to more complex neurological issues like seizures or brain tumours.
Understanding your cat’s baseline behaviour, keeping a log of any changes, and gathering videos can be incredibly helpful tools when working with your vet. Remember, you know your cat best, if something doesn’t feel right, address it sooner rather than later. Prompt veterinary advice could be the key to catching and treating an issue early.
Paying attention to the little things can help keep your feline companion safe, comfortable, and happy. Zoning out may not always be a red flag but being attentive and proactive is the best way to protect your cat’s wellbeing.
Further Reading
Work-Up, Therapy and Complications of Seizures in Cats – VIN
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