Why Do Cats Stare At Nothing – Read These 10 Reasons!

Cat staring at nothing is an indication that your cat is lost thinking or simply blank, that’s what you think. However, in reality, there could be underlying reasons as to why cats stare at nothing.

It is frightening when you affectionately admire your feline and he or she doesn’t respond but keeps gazing. 

Scientifically it is proven that cats can hear and see better than a human can. Perhaps they can hear and see what we can’t spot and on the other hand, we find it weird to see a cat staring at nothing. 

Since you are bewildered by this psychological trait with cats, without much ado, in this article we have you covered with well-researched reasons why cats stare at nothing.

Reasons Why Cats Stare At Nothing

For a fact we are aware that cats have a better sense of vision and can hear more than us but here are a few real reasons why cats stare at nothing!

1. Catmint is Given To Train A Cat Or Reduce Anxiousness

According to studies, Catmint also known as catnip is a medicinal plant that has Nepetalactone oil known to soothe a cat’s mood by tapping into its sensory neurons resulting in a cat staring at nothing.

Catnips are not just good for soothing your cat’s behavior to train him or her or reduce anxiousness, if taken in the right quantity, it is good for their digestive system too.

Besides staring at nothing, after ingesting a catnip, they express their affection, feel relaxed, experience happiness, and get playful and aggressive at times.

2. When Cats Can See Better

While you feel your cat is staring at nothing, sometimes they actually are because of their sharp sense of vision. They can view far better than humans.

On average, humans can see 200 degrees on each side. Whereas, cats can see 300 degrees on each side. Even with less lighting their ability to see is commendable.

3. Cats Being ‘All Ears’

When cats stare at nothing in an empty space, they are trying to stay alert with even a minute sound within their surroundings. Interestingly, they can hear a level better than dogs and humans.

How?

Cats have around 32 muscles in their outer ears, this helps them move their ears up to 180 degrees. In other words, they can hear up to a range of around 10.5 octaves. 

Therefore, when they focus on hearing, their eyes are glued in one direction but staring at nothing in specific.

4. Cats Being ‘Inquisitive’

These cute felines love to sniff new things and curiously pay attention to details with all their strong senses.

Cats can tirelessly stare at nothing because they can see things or creatures we can’t easily spot. 

5. When Cats Go Back Down The Memory Lane

According to researcher Dr.Brian Hare, an evolutionary anthropology professor at Duke University in North Carolina, cats have partial and long term memory. 

They are good with remembering the different spots at home as well as happy times that would have occurred a while back.

While their mind is thinking of those memories, cats stare at nothing.

6. When Cats Have A Focused State of Mind

Cats stare at nothing when they are busy using their sense of seeing and hearing. Focus is one medium that keeps them stationed.

Right from trying to hunt a cockroach to listening to the sounds of insects moving, cats just get aware and alert. 

Therefore, while focusing they are busy glaring and doing their part of analysis of either what they watch or hear.

7. When Cats Are Chilling

Cats love to chill and relax. When relaxed, they are happy in their own world.

They have several reasons for being happy. Either they are done jumping and running around or satisfied spending time with friends for a long. 

So, when in their happy zone, you will find their eyes fixed on a direction but they aren’t staring at anything in reality

8. When Cats Are Bored Out Of Brains

When boredom strikes, cats tend to stare at nothing. Having said, if your cat is too bored, it is time to pep him or her up with interesting activities despite being made to be able to sit through being bored.

However, being over bored could make them hyper and they could get sad sitting in one place and staring at nothing.

9. When Cats Have Medical Reasons

Wondering if it is true underlying medical reasons can be why cats stare at nothing? It is true and here’s why

A. Focal Seizure

Cats experience twitching in their body when attacked by a focal seizure. This happens due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain and you will see a cat staring at nothing in space as a sign of abnormality.

B. Dysautonomia

Cats stare at nothing when they have Dysautonomia. This is a condition that disturbs the autonomic nervous system which results in involuntary actions and one of it might be that of looking into a direction without blinking.

According to studies, this condition is common in younger cats. Going back to history, this condition was first seen and experienced in the UK, in 1982. Off late, now it is witnessed in many other countries too.

Cats suffering from this condition are prone to experience even other issues such as diarrhea, breathing issues, mental problems, loss of appetite, enlarged eyelids etc.

C. Feline Cognitive Dysfunction

Feline Cognitive Dysfunction is even known as Cat Dementia. This mental condition affects a feline’s ability to memorize and respond to stimuli. 

In other words, a cat’s brain is on the verge of aging and this condition leads to cats being blank and confused while staring at nothing. Moreover, they end up meowing loud too.

D. Feline Hyperesthesia

Yet another health condition could be the reason why your cat is staring at nothing and you might feel they are constantly looking at the wall or anything in front of them. 

This is a rare health condition but if your feline suffers from it then they end up staring for a longer time. 

Feline Hyperesthesia is a cat experiencing excessive itching. Other symptoms are fur shedding, loud meowing, irritation on the tail, etc. 

E. Cataracts

When a cat’s eye is clouded with patches and they find it tough to see clearly or even see at all, they tend to stare at nothing. 

Besides cataracts, if they suffer from similar eye problems such as glaucoma or uveitis, it strains their eyes.

F. Prolonged Infections

Failing to pay heed to any sort of infection a cat is suffering ends up in further complications in their response to the day-to-day events. One of the signs of being infected is cats end up staring at nothing.

G. Parasital Infections

Cats get a parasital infection if they consume spoilt food or water. Parasital infections causes weakness, weight loss, and cats staring at nothing because they are highly distracted and lost.

Is It Normal For Cats To Stare At Nothing?

It is absolutely normal for cats to stare at nothing unless you experience a change in their behavior or if you have an old cat at home.

What To Do If Your Cat Is Staring At Nothing?

Here’s what you  should do when your cat is staring at nothing

1. When bored or lazy, you must find engaging activities to shift your feline’s attention. 
2. Once you notice a change in the cat’s behavior or health, get your cat checked by a veterinary doctor.

Conclusion

So far if you were asking yourself that “Why is my cat staring at nothing?” you got your answers!

Often times cats stare at nothing to vile away time or examine ways to catch hold of their prey. Bad health or weird behavior is a sure sign they are unwell. It is either got to do with their eyes or other infections. Lastly, they are the happiest when relaxed and as a result, they choose to stare at nothing.