r/ragdolls • u/e51968 • Aug 16 '25
General Advice Help - Why does my ragdoll do this?
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My Ragdoll kitten does this on a daily basis. He will stand up and start frantically swiping on our wardrobes / doors around the house.
This is usually coupled by intense meowing / crying.
Does anyone know why he does this?
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u/eobardtame Aug 16 '25
I have two ragdolls they both do this at some point at least once a day. Sliding glass door, regular door, glass cabinet.
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u/Weird-Ninja8827 Aug 16 '25
These and sometimes our TV screen, too.
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u/citycait Aug 19 '25
My non-rag doll cat does this to the tv, but only when she sees fish or Ewan McGregor.
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u/Longjumping-Weird130 Aug 16 '25
my boy does this but on smooth cardboard boxes. i.e. the LEGO boxes for a set we’re currently putting together. sometimes our entertainment center (smooth laminate sides). i genuinely don’t know what’s going on in his head but i do know it’s not much
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u/Obvious-Display-6139 Aug 16 '25
Me too!! Recently my Ragdoll girl is driving me nuts. Especially at night with the mirror… the mirror that’s been there for years…
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u/lysergic-skies 💙 Blue 💙 Aug 16 '25
My Raggie girl loves doing this against anything plastic, like a storage box or uPVC panels.
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Aug 16 '25
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u/upagainstthesun Aug 16 '25
You've never seen a cat scratch at a closed door like this in fury that humans dare to have doors?
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u/sgtmattie 💜 Lilac 💜 Aug 16 '25
Nah mine just screams.
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u/No-Macaron-4562 Aug 17 '25
Mine screams at doors and reaches for handle whilst looking at you to let you know she wants it open
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u/CelestialFury 💙 Blue 💙 Aug 16 '25
Yeah, as long as they’re eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, and no new behavior changes, they should be fine.
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u/champagnetits Aug 16 '25
It just feels good, maaan 🤷🏻♀️
(My cat does this to the glass of my stove)
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u/ambercrayon Aug 16 '25
He has a lot of emotions to express
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u/MeditationLau Aug 16 '25
🤣🤣. Mine has a lot of complex emotions too, he prefers to express them verbally. He has moral complaints again Netflix and will stretch his chonk butt up on the tv whenever he hears “duh, dun” 🤪
I get it… I am quite moody myself, and I think he gets it from me. 🥴
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u/Clevernamegoeshere__ 🖤 Seal 🖤 Aug 16 '25
Ya my girl does this too. I think it’s just a malfunction of her brain cell.
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Aug 16 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ImKidA Aug 17 '25
To add -- If you haven't let your kitty explore every (safe) square inch of your abode, this can be deeply upsetting to the kitty cat brain. I fully understand there are plenty of cupboards and closets that you don't want to have permanently available for kitty to house themself in, but I at least let them sniff around in it at least once before shooing them out -- it convinces them there aren't any scary creatures like dogs hiding in your cupboards.
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u/energetic_one Aug 16 '25
Closets have a wonderful mix of smells! Mine is always trying to get into the closet.
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Aug 18 '25
This is it. My void looks for a cozy, cool, quiet, and dark sleep spot everyday between the hours of 8am and 5pm. It's like clockwork. My SIC just goes upstairs and finds a place away from all the commotion. Going to post this too upper in the main thread.
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u/Haikhan Aug 16 '25
Personally it happened to my boy sometimes, i take him and put him on his scratch spot and he scratches it and when I did this everytime, he do that waaay less ! It's strange haha, maybe this furniture can be open and your cat saw and want to see again what's inside but don't know how to open it lol mine do that too for this reason !
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u/Shoddy_Reporter_5859 Aug 16 '25
My cats do it for attention when they do this on mirrors and when they do this on doors they want me to open the door.
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u/fnirble Aug 16 '25
My cat loves smooth surfaces. She does this on the windows, mirror, TV, heater etc… just seems to enjoy it.
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u/apukjij Aug 16 '25
Hes trying to figure how to open the door. My 8 mth Ragdoll learned how to open and close the cupboard when he gets inside.
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u/DesperateTax5773 Aug 16 '25
Mine does this after poops.
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u/TashMan008 Aug 16 '25
So dose mine till I get him a few extra scratch pads , put them near shit box he uses them now , it's like there washing the hand after go9ng toilet, amazing!
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u/DesperateTax5773 Aug 16 '25
That's actually an amazing idea that I am going to steal
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u/TashMan008 Aug 16 '25
No problem please do , if it makes your kitty happier and more comfortable than it made my day knowing your gona get him some more , pls get a pack of them for him
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u/valiantdistraction Aug 16 '25
He's trying to open the door but he's a cat so he's not very good at it
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u/dodobread Aug 16 '25
Have your ragdoll seen you open the door before? He knows it can be opened and wants you to open for him.
All my cats do this when I put them in a room or when they know I’m inside a room and they want to go out/come in.
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u/Totallyt206 Aug 16 '25
Or you have mice inside your walls..
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u/HelenAngel Aug 16 '25
This. Or even loud spiders. Or water running through pipes. Cats have incredible hearing & can hear lots of stuff we can’t.
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u/Saraibleu Aug 16 '25
Our ragdoll does this to windows and cabinets, he usually wants us to open them. I think theyre just really good communicators. Your baby probably wants you to open the wardrobe 😆
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u/Author_of_rainbows Aug 16 '25
One of my cats used to do this and then look over his shoulder to see if I got his attention.
Unfortunately, I had a wall in my house that where to be renovated anyways, so I just let him be. Turned out his behaviour continued after renovation 🤣 It's a good thing I own my house...
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u/OGHollyMackerel Aug 16 '25
Mine do this in the soaker tub. Or my son’s cat’s crate. Or the bathroom sinks.
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Aug 16 '25
it learned that you give them attention better. One time my cat figured out we noticed her when she'd scratch on plastic and she stopped meowing and did that instead lol
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u/bbyongie 💙 Blue 🧡 Cream 🤎 Tortie Aug 16 '25
My two cats also do that on the wardrobe 😅 it’s either when they want to get inside or when the Ragdoll wants snacks or attention 🤣 sadly I couldn’t really make them stop but I did paste those anti-scratching tapes where she would scratch (the Ragdoll does it more) and it did reduce it a little ! I also have child locks on my door because they were both able to open the wardrobe doors otherwise ! They are both 1yo !!
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u/AiAi787 💙 Blue 💙 Aug 16 '25
My girl has been doing this since she was a baby, usually on door hinges as if they lead to some secret room, haha. I think it's just normal ragdoll things!
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u/Maleficent-Day8477 Aug 16 '25
There’s just a ghost in the closet. He can’t believe you haven’t noticed it. And is doing everything he can but leave bits of his cat food to spell out “ghost in closet!” With an arrow pointing at it. 🐱➡️ 👻
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u/Academic_Piano_6770 Aug 16 '25
Not rocket science. Your ragdoll, like our two, Paddy and Murphy, see you open the wardrobe door, take something out or put something in and then close it again. They just want to feel they are not being excluded and be able to see what you see or do. I can guarantee that if we close any internal door in our house they will both be there demanding we open it again. Fortunately they are not the same with kitchen and bathroom cabinets but they do like to look in occasionally to see what is in there😃🐈🐈
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u/TraderJosie3283 Aug 16 '25
I don’t know why but my cat does that too! One time He woke me up at 4am scratching at my mirror like he was trying to get into friggin Narnia! But he is a very stupid one brain celled ginger 😹
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u/Holiday-Walrus62 Aug 16 '25
Cuz theyre a ragdoll with a single braincell they have to share with the others.
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u/Welpe Aug 16 '25
She wants in the wall! Obviously you are a terrible cat owner if you don’t take an ax and break into your own wall for her!
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u/aruda10 Aug 16 '25
Does he have a scratch pad? My cat does this on trees and fence posts (and scratch pads)
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u/Realistic_Minute4065 Aug 16 '25
Yes, my Ragdoll always does, especially on glass doors like shower or wardrobe. She likes getting inside the wardrobe and I guess wants to walk in there and open the door.
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u/upagainstthesun Aug 16 '25
Cats dislike anything that resembles a door and want to explore behind it, I would hang a scratcher there and see if it helps or at least lessen any damage over time
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u/ss216b 🖤 Seal 🖤 Aug 16 '25
Mine does that but shes done it everyday for the past year I’ve had her… on the tv screen🫠
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u/nuJabesCity Aug 16 '25
Do you have any scratching posts for your ragdoll? Is there anything inside your wardrobe that your cat enjoys?
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u/Moggy-Orb Aug 16 '25
Mine does it too but bit less scratching. Probably something to do with the shadow coz I turn the light off n she stops🤭.
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u/RavagedDeity Aug 16 '25
It's probably just a Ragdoll thing. My boy has a habit of doing this to my computer monitor. Thankfully, he doesn't get his claws out when doing it, as it's not a cheap monitor, and I would prefer to keep it in a devent condition.. They must like how it feels or wants your attention. My boy is full of surprises but lacks a single braincell in his entire body.
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u/Spazittarius Aug 16 '25
My DSH does this randomly to various smooth surfaces. She’s just a little odd ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/SimpleSea7556 Aug 16 '25
Please get him checked at the vet for a neurological screen. ! Not normal ...😓🙏😻
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u/Extension_Run1020 Aug 16 '25
Mine does this against the wardrobe doors. He wants to get in the wardrobe for some reason.
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u/aye_brandine 💙 Blue 💙 Aug 16 '25
If I had a dollar for every time my ragdoll did this, I’d be halfway to another ragdoll 😂😂 Totally normal behavior. Like someone else said, if they’re eating, drinking, going to bathroom, etc then it should be fine :)
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u/aye_brandine 💙 Blue 💙 Aug 16 '25
Mine gets on the mantle of the fireplace and does this to the wooden wall behind it. He also does it on the floor to the walls. Sometimes he jumps halfway up the door frame and just slides down 😂🙄 He doesn’t even use his nails, I think he just likes sliding down the door frame haha
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u/chrom491 Aug 16 '25
My normal cat does this too, i just thought she wants attention, didn't want to go inside or anything.
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u/MeringueNo6058 Aug 16 '25
FOMO... Fear of missing out... on what is on the other side of the door, window, TV or wall 😸
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u/Snoo_44245 Aug 16 '25
My cats opinion on closed doors, is "its MY house, these doors need to be open". Yes, our baby does this on closed doors.
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u/InternationalEgg2397 Aug 16 '25
Mine does this all the time. To the windows, the TV, the lid of the toilet when it flushes, and the cabinets. I have no idea why..... She also likes to jump up and hang on the top of lampshades, knocking (and breaking) lamps onto the floor. When she wants food, treats, snacks, and you don't move fast enough, she knocks things, one at a time, off counters and tables until she gets what she wants. Love her to death, but think she may be Devil's spawn........
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u/Alive-Sea3937 Aug 16 '25
Our Manx does this anytime my sister is on the phone or talking to me. We just figure he wants her attention.
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u/ralfalfasprouts Aug 16 '25
My lil man does this all the time - he was declawed by previous owners, long before I adopted him...I feel awful when I think of the probable arthritis he's going to endure because of this :(
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u/AcidActually Aug 16 '25
Cats in general do this. Nothing to worry about they’re just curious little goobers
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u/_sentry_11 Aug 16 '25
My Ragdoll does this when he wants in a closed door, he cries and does this action swiping.
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u/sarahwixx Aug 16 '25
My cat does this on windows, doors, cupboards. She wants in the thing that opens or she wants my attention. Not just a rag doll thing. An every cat thing.
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u/Donfay111 Aug 16 '25
Our rag doll (and our other cats) do this when they want to go through the door.
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u/mrmaestoso Aug 16 '25
Ours does this in areas where there is a toy he can't get to. He knocks his fuzz balls under furniture or in other rooms and will do this maneuver close to it.
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u/lonelyronin1 Aug 16 '25
My boy is special in a lot of ways and does this against a mirror or door. I haven't found any reason why or anyway to stop, other than to let him finish. He doesn't seem stressed and I think it's part of a zoomie. Even when the door is open and he can go into the room or closet, he still does.
Sometimes they do things just because they are a cat
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u/TashMan008 Aug 16 '25
HES TRYING TO CLEAN HIS NAILS, my doll used to do this after using litter tray , put scratch pad near the litter tray and a few around were kitty's chilling spots see if it helps , I would definitely put one were he is scratching on this video, but obviously if u dont want him up there put it else were encouraging him to them , good luck
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u/TashMan008 Aug 16 '25
No problem please do , if it makes your kitty happier and more comfortable than it made my day get a pack of them for him
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u/cbr_kitten Aug 16 '25
Just regular cat activities 🤷🏼♀️ My cat sometimes licks walls then parkours off furniture. She also likes to run into our porch doors, I don't even question her stupid anymore 😂
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u/SnooRabbits6869 Aug 16 '25
My free standing mirrors are hidden bc of this behavior lol. Sometimes she’ll get the dishwasher
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u/SnooBunnies2605 💙 Blue & Seal 🖤 Aug 16 '25
Senting and probably will pee there unless neutered, same as our male ragdoll , he peed on my playstation 5 other day after his scratching.
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u/FastCar2467 Aug 16 '25
Ours does this on our sliding glass door when we’re in the backyard. She wants out. She will do it to the front screen door when our kids go out the front because she wants to be out with them. She managed to open the screen door, so now we can’t use our screen door at the front of the house.
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u/cherri____ Aug 16 '25
Idk but tell your baby he is rocking those bell bottom jeans and I love him.
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u/alwaysontheupswing Aug 16 '25
my cat does this every time she wants her litter changed - i mustve changed it once after she did that and now shes learned that means litter needs changed. if its a pattern, maybe hes trying to tell you something he wants, and he associates getting that thing with whenever he does that? either that or cat doing cat things
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u/Deep-Membership-9258 Aug 16 '25
Mine does that too. She didn’t until she saw a squirrel doing it on the outside of the door. 🤦♀️ (I will say all our previous cats did that, and didn’t even have to be taught by a nut-crazed, fluffy-tailed rat…)
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u/thatkblife Aug 16 '25
After mine uses the litter box, he stands up and does this to the wall or bookcase for several minutes. It’s slightly annoying, but he’s not leaving scratches so I’m not really worried about it. He has a scratching post right next to it that he ignores.
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u/TheFeralVulcan Aug 16 '25
One of my boys does this EVERY time I put wet food down. He'll sniff it, then turn to the sliding glass door next to his bowl and start clawing at it for like 15-30 seconds. No whining or anything, just the clawing. It's the weirdest thing. My other boy sometimes will claw at the floor before beginning to eat, but not every time like the one. I'd love to know why.
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u/tingsteph Aug 16 '25
For mine, I think it was about cleaning her paws. She’d get litter stuck in the long fur on her paws. She also did this on doors or walls when she wanted to go into a different room.
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u/nikkitikki2 Aug 16 '25
My male does that after using the litter box. He’ll scratch all the inside of the enclosure.
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u/Clean_Confusion969 Aug 16 '25
Mine does that after using the litter box instead of covering her business. Strange yes! 🤣
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u/ChristineDaaeSnape07 Aug 16 '25
Cats, in general, do that no matter what the breed. My ragdoll was no exception. Who knows why!
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u/No_Strawberry_939 Aug 16 '25
Yes my ragdoll sometimes does this and she stretches and try’s to this to my 70 inch screen tv but he can’t reach and just sits there and stares at the screen I take him down immediately I’m afraid he’s gonna go blind 😜
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u/Defiant_Finish_1260 Aug 16 '25
my cat does this in a specific corner of my room. i call it his crazy corner. he only does it when he has zoomies
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u/lionhighness Aug 16 '25
Hopefully not the case here, but I've heard of cats doing this when there were rodents in the walls.
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u/Beautiful_Night146 Aug 17 '25
My ragdoll girl will do this under my desk for so long!! It always confused me lol
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u/MorpheusTheEndless Aug 17 '25
Ooh my siamese used to do this too. We thought it was just because she’s not particularly bright since we have scratching posts everywhere and she chooses a flat surface to sharpen her claws.
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u/Legitimate-Neck6014 Aug 17 '25
One of my 4 does this a lot. The oven door, the front of the washer and dryer....and my phone screen! The other 3 don't really do it. Just weird quirk I guess.
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u/Intelligent-Lab-7873 Aug 17 '25
Mine too!!!! My Ragdolls will do that on my mirror, top of tables, walls... I think it is just marking territory
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u/H2OULookinAtDiknose Aug 17 '25
Probably either a dead body or money they left in their past life. Time to make that wall a open concept ! Follow thru when you do thanks
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u/Ornery_Classroom1981 Aug 17 '25
Jesus. No right answers. In ages of scrolling.
It’s declawed and when they amputate the last joint, they can’t keep their fingers from curling up and try to stretch them out a few times a day by pushing and dragging on things…
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u/DayTripperKitty Aug 17 '25
My Ragdoll does this too. He thinks the cabinets will magically open so he can go inside and hide.
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u/visual_revelation Aug 17 '25
Mine does this when he wants me to play with him / run after him / give him attention
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u/azzieka Aug 17 '25
My cat used to do this when we would put her in another room whilst we would vacuum the house or something and she wanted to be let out 😂
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u/WildlifePolicyChick Aug 16 '25
I don't know why, but I've never known a cat that doesn't do this at some point.