Cat seems tormented by the wall and shadows on it

[HappyNewBleurgh]

We moved a few months ago. Both cats have settled really well and seem happy.

One of ours seems fascinated by a couple of walls in the house, of all things. One wall in the kitchen where a shadow and reflection from a door handle moves across the wall when you open utility room door. And in the hall some light/shadow is cast across the hall wall from the outside through the front door.

He seems mesmerised by this and stares at either of them for ages at a time occasionally flinging himself at a moving shadow either real or perceived. We thought it was all quite funny for a while, but I wonder if he's ok.

He seems very happy generally and is v affectionate, eats well, chases other cat about etc. He does go out (not much though unless I chuck him out - he hates winter weather) but the wall flinging/staring goes on for ages at a time.

Just now there was a huge crash - he'd hurled himself really hard against the wall again. He never used to do this in our other house. I'm worried he'll hurt himself. It seems to be driving him nuts

[cozietoesie]

How old is he? And what toys/playthings does he have apart from the wall?

[HappyNewBleurgh]

Hi Cozie, just come back to mn..

He's 3 and has lots of toys and room to roam about; also the garden.

The kids play with him, we give him loads of attention - the cats are adored and treated like royalty. He also stalks other cat about and duffs him up (in a semi friendly way) so he's got other interests. I'm also home usually so he's got company during the day.

But this is his favourite past time atm. I think I'm worrying too much really. Reading all that back he has a nice life and doesn't appear to be unhappy. It's just such an odd thing to do

[TotallyTopical]

My grandparents had a dog that was like that, obsessed by the flashes of light and shadow when doors moved. To be fair, my grandad probably caused it as he used to use his watch to make reflections on the wall for the dog to chase when it was a pup. Dog seemed happy enough though and lived to a ripe old age. In fact it was remarkably good-tempered for it's breed.

[Startail]

Is there any chance there could be mice in the wall cavity.

DMILs cat took to flinging herself at the book case and destroying the things on the mantle piece.

Eventually they worked out she could hear a mouse.

[HappyNewBleurgh]

Yikes a mouse? I blimmin hope not A fair point though, but I'm as near to 100% sure as I can be that we don't have mice. God I hope not.

Our other cat is a holy terror for catching things. He'd be onto anything like that in a minute if he thought there was livestock to kill but shows no interest in wall surfing at all or chasing lights.

The other one will chase a light. He was going bonkers a few months ago until I worked out the sun had reflected on the face of my watch and was causing a shiny light to dance on the wall.

I think he's just a bit nutty atm. Maybe if it ever stops raining he'll want to go out more and will find a new hobby.

[cozietoesie]

It's a fair point (about the mice) but I suspect, if he's got plenty going on in his life otherwise, he's just 'got a thing' at the moment - possibly due partly to the move and needing to get his new surroundings 100% known and under his control. I doubt he'll hurt himself - cats are too practical for that.

Let us know if he's still doing it in a month or so.

[Startail]

That was why everyone was so puzzled. No mice in either of the houses.

But it was an old house joined on to an even older cottage and the mice were living happily in the thick rubble filled stone wall between them.