Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To ask for an explanation for wtf just happened? **MNHQ UPDATE: Mystery solved!**

357 replies

WeirdlyKind · 13/02/2022 19:59

I'm seriously creeped out and can't figure out a rational explanation so I'm hoping someone can!

Sitting in the kitchen, eating dinner when a black shape ran past my legs, close enough that I felt it pass. Figured it was my cat at first but when I stood up, she was sitting on the windowsill!

The dark shape ran into the living room where my partner is (he saw it too, because he shouted me!)

It apparently jumped on the sideboard and vanished in front of his eyes. There's nowhere it could go - the sideboard is solid oak on a solid stone wall.

The dog is now going mental at the sideboard like there's something there (if there is, we can't find it!)

I'm genuinely creeped out - anyone have a rational explanation? What the hell did we see?

OP posts:
2021s · 13/02/2022 20:11

Buy a rat trap and call a priest

AnnaSW1 · 13/02/2022 20:11

Rats can definitely jump

Saffy321 · 13/02/2022 20:11

i think mouse - they move so fast its like a blur

Paddingtonthebear · 13/02/2022 20:12

What the hell is a ghost cat? Confused

SprayedWithDettol · 13/02/2022 20:12

Rat. They are lightening fast.

PandaDander · 13/02/2022 20:13

Rat

BuddhaForMary · 13/02/2022 20:14

Rat.

Throckmorton · 13/02/2022 20:14

Rat. Trust me, the wee buggers can disaapear through cracks so small you can barely see them

ThisMammaCat · 13/02/2022 20:15

Mhm, ghost cat 🐈

OnlyAFleshWound · 13/02/2022 20:15

In our old flat we once had a rat jump up onto the kitchen counter EnvySadAngry

Thatsplentyjack · 13/02/2022 20:16

@Paddingtonthebear

What the hell is a ghost cat? Confused
A cat that's died and become a ghost Confused Iean it's pretty obvious.
SagittariusDwarf · 13/02/2022 20:17

@Paddingtonthebear

What the hell is a ghost cat? Confused
A ghost of a cat. Obviously Hmm
TheSpottedZebra · 13/02/2022 20:17

@WeirdlyKind

Would a rat be able to jump onto a side board though? It's quite tall! I'd rather have a rat than a ghost I think.

Can't see anything behind the sideboard and it's too heavy to move!

Then Huzzah! you are in luck. As it's definitely not a ghost cat.
EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 13/02/2022 20:18

@WeirdlyKind

Would a rat be able to jump onto a side board though? It's quite tall! I'd rather have a rat than a ghost I think.

Can't see anything behind the sideboard and it's too heavy to move!

My pet rats can jump a good 3-4 feet in the air given a run up and under stress (ie fleeing a source of danger, ie you and your DH.) A wild rat could certainly match that as they get a lot more practise. And they can be BIG - I've seen wild males the size of a 6 month kitten.

And as a PP said, they can squeeze into a tiny space - their ribcage compresses to allow this.

If you can't move the sideboard, get a humane trap tomorrow and bait it with peanut butter.

DickMabutt73962 · 13/02/2022 20:18

Rat. Burn the house down NOW.

WhiteJellycat · 13/02/2022 20:19

I vote rat to. That's why the dog is going nuts. We had a rat in the house. It overlapped a metal bin lid when it was finally caught. It was well over a foot long.

Paddingtonthebear · 13/02/2022 20:19

Well I guess it’s obvious if you actually believe in ghosts Grin

itsfreeeeeeezing1234 · 13/02/2022 20:20

Spider ??😂

WeeWeeMe · 13/02/2022 20:20

Yeah, rats can get through the tiniest gap ... but you should see the size and quantity of poo they produce!

shaneTwane · 13/02/2022 20:21

How about a ghost rat!

NuffSaidSam · 13/02/2022 20:22

@Paddingtonthebear

Well I guess it’s obvious if you actually believe in ghosts Grin
Even if you don't believe, the term 'ghost cat' is self explanatory surely Grin
Original poster
WeirdlyKind · 13/02/2022 20:22

Was bigger than a mouse. We've had mice in before and they don't last long with a terrier and a ex-feral cat!

It felt cat/small dog sized - you know the way they'll squeeze past? It felt exactly like that!

Nothing living in the sideboard, and partner reckons there's not enough space for anything behind the sideboard. (No skirting in the room atm, so it's flush to the wall)

OP posts:
Sadandfedup2 · 13/02/2022 20:22

Following as I've got to find out what happens!

NuffSaidSam · 13/02/2022 20:22

@WhiteJellycat

I vote rat to. That's why the dog is going nuts. We had a rat in the house. It overlapped a metal bin lid when it was finally caught. It was well over a foot long.
I've just been sick in my mouth.

I hope for your sake OP it is a ghost cat.

whymewhyme · 13/02/2022 20:23

Oh that's creepy