My Kitty Is Freaking Out

Allyskits

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ok so I have three cats, 1 of them is behaving perfectly normal, 2 of them have been hiding and stressing all day, they are grooming and twitching and doing random sprints.
One of them is not too bad like a little tense but I’m not too worried about it.
The other is completely freaking out.
She’s staying away from everyone including her brothers, even hissing at them not to come close to her.
She’s grooming herself and actually pulling at her fur with her teeth, I’ve never seen her act like this.
I first noticed it this morning, I though she was reacting to some Vaseline that I rubbed on a dry scab on my wrist. I tried to give her Vaseline once for a hairball and she absolutely hated it, so I thought maybe she can smell the Vaseline on my wrist and that’s why she’s staying away from me (same for my other kitty) So I washed it off and figured she would relax and return to normal. Except she hasn’t gone back to normal she’s just sitting by herself in a corner every now and then jumping up and furiously licking her tail and back and sometimes pulling at the fur.
When I come close she either runs for it or freezes into a tense ball, and when her brother gets close to her she will either snap at him or hiss at him.
I thought maybe it’s fleas but do they show up so suddenly? plus why would fleas make her scared of me? Yesterday she was normal and this morning she was like this...
 
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Allyskits

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ok so I have three cats, 1 of them is behaving perfectly normal, 2 of them have been hiding and stressing all day, they are grooming and twitching and doing random sprints.
One of them is not too bad like a little tense but I’m not too worried about it.
The other is completely freaking out.
She’s staying away from everyone including her brothers, even hissing at them not to come close to her.
She’s grooming herself and actually pulling at her fur with her teeth, I’ve never seen her act like this.
I first noticed it this morning, I though she was reacting to some Vaseline that I rubbed on a dry scab on my wrist. I tried to give her Vaseline once for a hairball and she absolutely hated it, so I thought maybe she can smell the Vaseline on my wrist and that’s why she’s staying away from me (same for my other kitty) So I washed it off and figured she would relax and return to normal. Except she hasn’t gone back to normal she’s just sitting by herself in a corner every now and then jumping up and furiously licking her tail and back and sometimes pulling at the fur.
When I come close she either runs for it or freezes into a tense ball, and when her brother gets close to her she will either snap at him or hiss at him.
I thought maybe it’s fleas but do they show up so suddenly? plus why would fleas make her scared of me? Yesterday she was normal and this morning she was like this...
Ok random quick update the other cat that was a little tense seems to have suddenly snapped out of it, he’s suddenly happy and playing with his brother, but the girl is still a tense mess
 

FeebysOwner

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Sounds to me like something scared her and she isn't getting over it as quickly as the other cat did. Can you go back in your head and think of anything, even the simplest of things to you, that might have upset them - just like you did with the Vaseline idea? Do they go outdoors at all? If so, was it related to an outdoor session?

The other possibility is that she is becoming ill, which could explain her behavior. Hiding, suddenly hissing at the other cat, behaving nervously (including obsessive cleaning behavior) could all be indications of an illness brewing. Is she eating/drinking OK. Any issues with the litter box behavior?

Also, if you are concerned about fleas, check one of the other cats for them if you are worried about trying to check her with the way she is behaving right now. I am guessing that none of them are being treated for fleas, so if one has them it is likely the others do too.
 

danteshuman

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I’m hoping it is just a scare and not a health injury. I would try to take a closer look and a gentle feel over if you can to check her out. If she gets at all agitated during your trying to touch check her between pets, stop completely and give her space. I would defiantly keep an eye on her and make sure she is eating/pooping/peeing/drinking. If needed separate her to monitor that. If you think it might be a health issue or if she stops eating/eats less ........ take her to the vet today!

If she appears healthy and flea free, then I would talk softly while avoiding eye contact. If you have a calming spray I would use it. I would play soft music and try to distract her with a wand toy, so she can hunt instead of being hunted. Doting on the other cats and playing with them, might help reassure her that the world is not on fire!
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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I, too, wonder about possible fleas. Fleas go through cycles, so maybe some eggs were tracked in, or one or two fleas hitched a ride into your house in some way. Room temp gets to the "goldilocks" amount, and boom, fleas having a party on your cat. Many cats just itch mildly when bitten by fleas but some do react a lot to flea bites. A flea allergy. It is not comfortable at all for such cats, and they can really feel aggravated by the itching and maybe mild or moderate level of pain, if they scratch the areas a lot. Cats who are allergic to flea saliva can react to just one, teensy flea bite, even to the extent that you are witnessing. So, if it's just a few fleas, you may not see them when you are perchance looking for them on the cat or in their bedding.

Maybe you can contact your vet, ask about how the flea season is going for your area, and get suggestions for a potential flea med. You can take the cat you are more concerned about in, too, and see if there is any other skin or possible health issue that could be the culprit.
:goodluck:
 

danteshuman

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Don’t forget allergy meds your vet can prescribe to help calm those itchy flea bites. If you suspect flea bites it might be worth try some for a few days and see how she does. (I found an allergy medication preferable to giving my cat prednisone shots when his lower lip swelled up.)
 
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Allyskits

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I don’t think it’s flea bite, some smell on my hand is scaring her but I have no idea what it is.
Just now I was woken up rather abruptly by the mailman, when I came back inside Winky wrapped herself around my leg and I pet her with my left hand, I then picked her up thinking she was ok now, but then she smelled my right hand and instantly started squirming. I put her down and she ran of and was back to twitching and grooming.
My other cat who was acting the same yesterday did the same thing. He smelled my hand and ran off. The third cat who is mostly acting normal smelled my hand and pulled his face away but other than that is acting normally...

I have no idea what is on my hand, the only thing is that I put some Vaseline on there last night figuring that would fine. The only other thing I can think of is I bought a new shampoo bar from Lush, it’s not in a bottle but just a bar you kinda just hold it and rub it over your head and then you wash your hair normally. I held it with my right hand, but I used that last yesterday morning because like I said I just woke up when I held her just now. How could my hand still smell like it a day later, plus she had no reaction to that the first day.
 
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Allyskits

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Ok I’m starting to second guess my self again, she no longer seems scared of me, but she’s still grooming and pulling at her fur.
I’ve looked for signs of fleas on any of my cats but cat see anything no fleas, no flea dirt, nothing.
I can touch her head she’ll even let me pick her up but if I try to touch her back bolts out of my arms. I’m not sure whether to take her to the vet or try some flea medicine first.
 
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