Why is my cat walking in circles? Vet shares key causes and what to do

If you’re wondering, “why is my cat walking in circles”, it can be difficult to know how to react. Is it simply another quirky cat behavior or is it a sign of something more sinister such as your feline friend having experienced a stroke or other serious illness?

In reality, either one is possible. Circling can be normal or relatively insignificant. But if you've been asking the question 'is my cat sick?', it's important to note that cycling can also be an indication of a serious underlying disease. The important thing is to carefully observe your cat and seek assistance from a veterinarian if you’re unsure.

Below, Dr. Cathy Barnette explores the potential causes of circling in cats and explains when it's time to seek professional help. Read on as she reveals everything you need to know about this behavior...

Is it normal for a cat to walk in circles?

The answer depends on context, the kind of circling and a cat’s overall behavior. You likely have little worry about if your cat occasionally circles you or other pets during a play session or circles a toy during play. Cats can also wander in circles when following a scent trail or if they’re being walked on one of the best cat harnesses.

Abnormal circling is repetitive and habitual, occurring in a variety of contexts. You may have trouble distracting your cat from their circling. In some cases, abnormal circling may be accompanied by other concerning clinical signs, such as weakness, stumbling, loss of coordination, and changes in appetite (see our guide to 'cat not eating?' for what to do if your cat has suddenly lost their appetite).

If you notice your cat circling and they're also displaying other symptoms, like the ones listed above, you'll want to pay attention to this.

Why is my cat walking in circles?

Again, there are several potential causes of circling in cats. These include behavioral causes, conditions that affect the brain and/or vestibular system (which is responsible for balance), and other medical concerns. Common causes of circling in cats include:

1. Pacing, especially in intact cats

Intact female cats often pace when they go into heat (so you may want to know how to tell when a cat is in heat to help rule it out). While this pacing isn’t exclusively in a circle, cats that pace in a small room may appear to be walking in circles. This form of circling can be treated by having your cat spayed.

2. Anxiety

Anxiety can also cause pacing in cats. Depending on where your cat is pacing, this may look like your cat is walking in circles so become familiar with anxiety in cats to help spot the signs.

3. Cognitive dysfunction

Like humans, cats often experience behavioral changes with age. In some cases, cognitive dysfunction (or dementia) can lead to circling, along with other behavioral changes such as excessive meowing.

4. Idiopathic vestibular disease

In this condition, which resembles vertigo in humans, cats suddenly experience a loss of balance. Affected cats often walk in circles, in addition to experiencing difficulties with balance and falling to one side. You may also notice a head tilt and rapid back-and-forth eye movements (nystagmus). It’s a condition which can explain why a dog is spinning in circles too.

5. Head trauma

A blow to the head can cause damage and inflammation in the brain, which may result in circling. In the case of a traumatic brain injury, your cat will likely also experience other neurologic and behavioral changes.

6. Brain tumor

In older cats, tumors within the brain are a potential cause of circling. Brain tumors are also often associated with other neurologic changes.

7. Stroke

While strokes and other vascular incidents are less common in cats than humans, they can occur and they are a possible cause of circling.

8. Inflammatory brain disease

Toxoplasmosis (which can result when cats come into contact with mice), cryptococcosis, and other infections can cause neurologic changes, including circling.

It’s also worth noting that the causes of feline circling can have significant overlap in clinical signs, so it’s usually not possible to determine the cause of your cat’s circling from simple observation. Diagnostic tests are typically needed to determine the cause of a cat’s circling.

Why is my senior cat walking in circles?

Like any other cat, the list of potential causes for circling in a senior cat is long. In an older cat, however, some conditions are more likely than others. Your veterinarian will probably want to first rule out a brain tumor or stroke, because these are serious conditions that are more likely to occur in older cats.

If your cat is not showing signs of a stroke or brain tumor, your veterinarian may instead suspect idiopathic vestibular disease or cognitive dysfunction as the cause of your cat’s circling. A thorough workup will likely be needed to determine the cause of your cat’s circling.

When should I visit my vet?

If your cat seems to be circling, take a few minutes to observe the behavior more closely. Ask yourself:

• Is your cat truly circling or is your cat pacing along a route that happens to be circular?

• If a cat is pacing, has the behavior come on gradually or suddenly?

• Are there any identifiable triggers for this new behavior?

There are some key triggers to watch out for such as moving home or adding a new pet to your family. In any case, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe treatments to help with your cat’s pacing but pacing may be less urgent than true circling in a cat.

If your cat experiences a new onset of circling that is repetitive and habitual, especially if accompanied by other neurologic or behavioral changes, an urgent veterinary visit is in order. This sort of circling is more likely to be associated with an underlying medical condition, which may require treatment.

What will a vet do?

Your veterinarian will begin by performing a physical exam, as well as some baseline blood and urine testing, to narrow down the list of possible causes for your cat’s circling. Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary neurologist for more specialized testing.

If your cat does have a serious underlying condition, early detection can improve your cat’s prognosis. You may also want to consider the best pet insurance to help with any potential costs. If so, check out five things to look out for when shopping for the best policy.

Summary

A cat walking in circles could be completely normal, or could have a significant underlying condition. As a pet owner, your first step should be to closely observe your cat’s behavior, with the goal of determining whether this is an isolated incident or a repetitive behavior. If your cat is repetitively walking in circles, a veterinary visit will be needed to determine the cause of your cat’s circling and any recommended treatments.