Cats operate on their own wavelengths, and that’s one of the things we love about them. But sometimes their quirky behavior signals something more.

An example is a condition called hyperesthesia (hyper-es-thesia), which translates to “heightened sensitivity.” This syndrome can affect any cat but usually shows up in those over 6 years of age. A simple pat or back scratch might prompt the bizarre behavior. All of a sudden, the frantic feline is on full alert and madly starts scratching, biting or licking herself. Some cats race around the house — but then everything stops as quickly as it started. The whole episode is over in just a couple of minutes.

Affected cats do best when they’re anxiety-free and have a consistent routine. They also need to avoid stimulating play and back scratches — even from their favorite humans.