Headstands

QUESTION

My cat curls up and puts the top of her head on the couch cushion or she will position herself so that her head is pressing against my arm when she curls up on me. She really has her head tucked all the way down as if she is preparing to do a headstand.
Three years ago one of her eyes dilated and she started to slightly brush her back leg along the floor. She was taken to her regular vet, an opthomologist, other specialist and finally to UC Davis for a "cat" scan after both eyes became dilated. Nothing conclusive was found. She is not blind, doesn't have a noticeable brain tumor and her condition hasn't changed over the past three years. I think she might have had a small stroke, but the vets could never pinpoint the problem.
When her old vet first saw her she asked me if she was pressing her head against the wall or anything else. At the time she wasn't and I never asked what that might indicate. Lately she has started doing this and I wonder if it is indicative of anything?
Other than this strange yoga-like behavior she is doing fine for a senior kitty of 13+ years.




Hi,

They were questioning you about head pressing because that can be a manifestation of a brain tumor. However, that usually means the cat is pressing its head against a wall. If I understand you correctly, she is pressing against your arm or cushion when she is comfortable and resting. That is not uncommon in a normal cat. Some cats do that to be as close to you as possible, especially as they age.

It never hurts to go have things re-checked, but if everything is fine with her and she is only doing this on the sofa and you, you may be able to monitor her behavior and go to the vet only if it changes or worsens. It's impossible for me to know without examining her. To be certain, you would need to take her to the vet.

Thank you for writing,
Dr. Neely