Cat Jumping and Scratching at Window

[Spookymoo]

Hi all, I'm currently fostering a cat that was originally thought of as unsocialised. She's around 2 and whilst incredibly scared of new things is sweet (most of the time...). She's started today with a behaviour I've not seen before in a cat, which is constantly pacing near a window and then jumping and scratching at it. I've googled and it doesn't seem like marking as she's there for a long time when she does it (five minutes and more). Does anyone have any idea what it could be? I'm wondering if it's stress related, I have a video but no idea how to add it if I even can!

Any help appreciated (:

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi! I think she is seeing something out that window that is peaking her interest - the most logical explanation would be another cat, but it could also be squirrels or birds? Is she spayed?

Here are instructions about adding a video.
How To Upload And Add Videos To Your Posts

 

[Spookymoo]

Thanks, I think I've managed to upload a video showing the behaviour in an album for people to check. She's been doing it on and off now for quite a while, always the same window and with the pacing it doesn't seem like it's play. She's been there now on and off for the last hour.

 

[Spookymoo]

Oh and sorry yes she is spayed!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Looked at video - tried to add it here but couldn't do it myself. Is she making any noises when doing this? I still think you have something looming outside that window that she is very interested in. Can you find a way to look out there when she is doing it to see if you can see another animal out there?

 

[She's a witch]

Was she an outdoor cat? It looks like she’s missing outside. You need to ignore it, and maybe redirect her attention into something else. When bored cats tend to want to go out more.

 

[susanm9006]

I agree with She's a witch . This cat sees outdoors and is trying to get out there.it may take her a long while to figure out she can’t get out there.

 

[Spookymoo]

She's doing it in the day too, and there's nothing there I can see. I don't think she's bored, she's only just been allowed out of her own room so it's exploring time at the moment. We've no idea on her back story, she was found and taken to the shelter who thought she was a wild cat but gave her to me to foster just to be safe. She's definitely used to people and loves attention, and we will be seeking a normal home for her now.

She doesn't make any noise just paces, scratches then starts manically jumping at the window. She can do it for a long time, and then go for a few moments then go back.

 

[FeebysOwner]

If she doesn't go outside at all, you could buy some animal deterrent spray and use it on the area outside the window. If it is another animal that is getting her attention, you might be able to get it to stop hanging around. It might even be that another cat is spraying in the area, and she smells it. Does she have access to any other windows and does she react the same way when around them?

If it is because she wants outside, then you will need to find ways to distract her whenever you are there to see her do it, perhaps using some toys that she enjoys playing with.

 

[Spookymoo]

I think as we have no prior knowledge of her it makes it hard to know these kind of behaviours! Watching her today she's doing it with no outside trigger so it could be she just wants outside, but she's scared of everything so it doesn't really fit with her personality. She's a very strange kitty, I've worked with many a cat but she has many more behaviours that I haven't seen before!

Thanks to everyone who helped, especially FeebysOwner . If there is anything to update I will, for now I'll try distraction techniques and just keep an eye on her. Of course if anyone else has seen this before and has any ideas it's always appreciated

 

[FeebysOwner]

Watching her today she's doing it with no outside trigger so it could be she just wants outside, but she's scared of everything so it doesn't really fit with her personality.

Don't forget the idea of cat pee/spray outside that she can smell. You might want to take a 'whiff' outside yourself just to see if you can smell anything. If the surface out there can be washed with an enzymatic cleaner (Fizzion, SCOE10x both are supposed to work on all hard surfaces), you could try cleaning that area and see if that makes any difference. If it is a grassy area or soil, spray it anyway with an animal deterrent - can't hurt!

And, just another thought - place a camera out there for at least 24 hours to see if anything is showing up in that area.

Sorry we, so far, haven't been much help!