September 27, 2008

Saturday Caturday - Powder's Autumn Funk

Every Autumn since Powder was a little kitty, she takes to hiding under the bed. Only in Autumn and only for a few weeks. She comes out to eat and use the box and to get some loving from Mommy. She will have nothing to do with Daddy and she avoids all of us.
Mommy has taken her to the VET for this and the VET says that there is nothing physically wrong with our little kitty girl. One year they even tried anti-anxiety medications.
Last Monday, Powder started her Autumn ritual again. Last Monday was also the autumnal equinox. There is nothing Mommy and Daddy can do except to wait for Powder to decide that her Autumn "funk" is finished. Even though we all know that she is physically OK, it's sad to see her seem anxious and depressed. In a week or so, she'll pop out from under the bed and be herself again. Mommy and I wanted to know if any of you have had experience with this weird phenomenon. Powder has been to three VET's for this and they all wind up just scratching their heads. So in the meantime Mommy waits for this to be over and frets about out tiny girl under the bed...

34 comments:

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Powder is very special. She likes to do a lot of thinking and pondering under the bed. Do you go and visit her? i am sure your mom and dad do. She knows she is loved.
this is a very interesting ritual or habit. It must be something about the change in seasons.... hmmmmm perhaps another snowy winter.

I love all of you very much.
purrr

Boots, Ozzie and Brenda said...

The one who came before (Noonie) decided one fall to live behind the clothes dryer in the basement for a couple of weeks. He only came upstairs at night to eat when everyone was asleep.

We took him to the VET, but there was nothing wrong with him. They thought it was "anxiety", but we never really knew for sure. One day he came upstairs like nothing happened and went on to live the rest of his life with no repeat of this behavior. Very strange indeed!

We hope Powder feel like her old self again soon!

Brenda & Ninja

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is strange. Maybe she realises that summer is going and the cold dark days are coming and she wants to hide from them. The last 4 days Eric has been sleeping on the bed all day instead of going outdoors to lie in the sun. Wonder if that is the same sort of thing.
Flynn

Tesla and Hansel said...

Poor kitteh, i iz finkin bout hers, an hopin dat she see she iz saf wif yoos.

Louche Tabby said...

.....maybe she has *SAD.....seasonal affective disorder......

Quill and Greyson said...

I've been napping alot these last weeks. Spooky has been sleeping alot too. We are very sensitive creatures.

Tommy and Teaghan said...

Maybe there is a change in the barometric pressure or something that starts in Autumn and she is just getting used to it? Hmmmm, maybe something to do with the level of daylight and she knows that winter is coming. Anything you are doing differently? Did you change over your seasonal clothes? Maybe she thinks your going away? Hmmmm, this is very interesting. You have had her since she was a kitten right?
Brenda Mom
- - - - - -
Oh my sweetie Powder! I'll be right ofur to keep yoo company unner yur bed. Yoo can lay yur pretty little head next to me.
Smooches, Beau Beau

Kaz's Cats said...

We're sorry that Powder feels a little out of sorts. Mum says that she hasn't heard of anything like it before. We just hope that you kitties make nice with Powder, and let her come back out in her own time.

Purrs

Gypsy & Tasha

Honey P. Sunshine said...

i fink powder needs a new sweater to keep her warm since the weather is changing

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We don't do that, but the Woman and several people here notice that cats don't eat as much for a few weeks and then suddenly we start up again. Perhaps Powder is just more sensitive. Does Rescue remedy in the water help?

Mickey's Musings said...

That is different. I do not have anything to suggest.I have never heard of anything like it either :o
Purrs to you Powder.

Purrs Mickey

Shaggy and Scout said...

What a strange/intriguing thing for her to do. I thought about the barometric pressure too, but you have loved in different places and it can't be the same everywhere. Very perplexing.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

That's a khat fur ya!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Niko and Cloud said...

that is very wierd indeed. Have you perhaps tried Feliway or Rescue Remedy or something like that? We would gather if you've done the anti-anxiety medicines this might be redundant, but we's not sure.

Evergreen loves Kilroy said...

Aww, poor Powder. She seems like such a sweet kitty. I'm glad her Autumnal habit is not serious or bad. Your patience with her is probably all she needs if anxiety is not the key.

Anonymous said...

It could just be the change in the earth's rotation and the shifting to fall that could be affecting her. Cats are more sensitive to the seasons than we are. Or it could be that the time of year reminds her of something that happened long ago and she is still impacted by it. I know that Sophia will hide in my closest anytime someone BBQs near my condo. Not sure why, but the smell of the BBQ sends her hiding.

`DKM

Anonymous said...

Poor Powder :(
I know us kittehs are super aware of change of seasons, we go off our foods, sometimes get a little sneeze and sleep lots. ( And Mushka pookes a lot)
It only happens for a couple of weeks then we is adjusted. But we also get winds here every change of season, like one season is blowing away the other..
Maybe Powder is just extra aware?

V-V

Daisy said...

That is very unique! I hope Powder comes out of her little retreat filled with happiness.

Ana said...

we can understand you, Powder! When autumn comes we would also like to hide under the bed and hope it goes away soon!

Our mommy thinks Powder is a very unique cat!

BeadedTail said...

I've never heard of any other kitty doing this before but thankfully it doesn't last long. Must be some change in the air that she can detect. By the way, Powder is so pretty and I love her cute paws!

The Florida Furkids said...

Powder must be very in tune with Nature! We hope she comes out soon.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that Parker gets the blues.

Have you tried getting her one of those lights that mimmics sunlight? It helps people who suffer from SADD, and it might help parker too?

Just Ducky said...

If it has happened before and she came out fine, then just let her have a funk and let it go.

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

I guess she just needs some private time. Maybe it's just her annual vacation from her normal kitty duties.

Phoebe said...

Powder, did you find a warm place to hideout on a cool night and day? One things that brings me out of a hiding is the sound of a tuna can cracking!!

Unknown said...

We's been finkin, cud it be moon phases, weather, barometric pressure ummmm did sumthin happin in Autumn dat perhaps Powder remembers and dat would upset her?

Chrissie said...

I am glad she comes out of it..I know that fall is wonderful when the leaves start swirling around on the ground..it's fun to watch from the window. I'll be purring for you, Powder.

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

We neffur heard of dat but Zippy does sleep more in da early spring...maybe she feels the change of season and wants to hide from it.

Jimmy Joe said...

That is fascinating about Powder, Parker. Is she a Druid cat, maybe? Maybe she has do go on a retreat for some annual ritual every year. I bet she's real hungry after that, though!
Your buddy, Jimmy Joe

Sweet Purrfections said...

I never heard of that before. I usually disappear in the afternoons and mom can't find me.

Karen and Gerard said...

That's really weird! Perhaps a cat behaviorist could give you some insight into why she does this. Each cat has their own quirks, I guess.

Karen and Gerard said...

That's really weird! Perhaps a cat behaviorist could give you some insight into why she does this. Each cat has their own quirks, I guess.

Whimpurr said...

Oh Powder, you are far too beautiful to hideaway for any season! Maybe you are just afraid of all the spookies that come out this time of year? Redfurd says he could easily crush on you BIG TIME! ~ Purrs ~

Everycat said...

Just found this from the 18 November post. We wondered if something happens in Powder's environment around Autumn, inside, outside? George Online Cat might have the answer, he's very wise and knows about this stuff.

Whicky Wuudler *special head bumpies for Powder*