Feline hearing reaches far above the human range, catching pipes, insects, and high-frequency electronics inside walls, so the blank stare is often sound-locking.
Dust glints in low light and tiny moving bugs also draw attention; such stares are brief and interruptible with a toy, which marks them as normal sensory behavior.
Be wary of long unbreakable staring with abnormal pupils, circling, or head pressing, which can involve neurological disease or hypertension-related changes.
Seniors with frequent blank staring plus disorientation and yowling should be assessed for cognitive dysfunction; video logs help the vet judge.
