Think you might have a stressed cat? Is cat stress even a thing? Sadly, the answer to the latter is yes: Cats can feel real and chronic stress. But don’t worry; there are ways you can help your kitty out.
Cats can’t explain their feelings in words, but they can tell you their stress levels are on the rise in other ways—but only if you can read the signs. Ahead are five common signs of stress in cats, plus tips on what you can do to help.
Please note that the first step with all behavior concerns with your pet is trip to the vet to check if there is a medical cause for the behavior.
1. HIDING
Hiding, or avoiding human contact, is a big sign of problems and stress. Many cats find a hiding place that feels safe when they become stressed, feel threatened or get sick.
What You Can Do to Help:
Once physical causes have been ruled out, try creating a cat-friendly safe room with a hiding place where you can check on your cat frequently until the source of stress is resolved or the illness has passed.
Start working on play sessions when you’re in the safe room, enticing your cat to come out of his/her shell and engage with you. Toss a treat or give a pinch of catnip to help create a positive association with your presence.
Time is also the greatest help with a stressed cat. Be patient and allow your cat’s natural curiosity and desire for human contact to motivate your cat to overcome their fears. This can take hours, weeks or even a month or two.
2. GOING OUTSIDE THE LITTER BOX
If your cat begins doing their business everywhere but their litter box (also known as inappropriate elimination), they may be telling you it’s time to clean it or if you made a recent change to the type of litter or litter box or it’s location, they are telling you they don’t like whatever was changed.
Alternatively, a sick cat may actually go to the bathroom in front of you or in a prominent place, such as in your bed or on the couch.
Cat parents often miss this sign of stress, instead assuming their feline friend is simply misbehaving. You’ll need to really analyze your cat’s behavior to decipher why they’ve stopped using their litter tray.
What You Can Do to Help:
Always keep your cat’s litter box clean, following the rule of one box per cat and preferably, one extra box. Having the correct-size box (a bigger cat needs more room) can help erase your cat’s bathroom distress.
Consider all changes that have been made recently in the home including new family members, moving furniture, and anything affecting the litter box. If your cat doesn’t like the change, return it to the way the cat liked it and see if that restores calm for the cat. If that’s not possible, for instance with a new family member, then help the cat become acquainted and give them time to adjust.
3. APPETITE CHANGES
Cat eating out of bowl
When a cat is overly stressed, they may stop eating normally. You may notice your cat leaving their once-liked meals behind in their food bowl.
Conversely, some stressed cats want to overeat. If that’s the case, your cat may engage in vocalizing—meowing more frequently than normal—for additional food. They may also remain in the room where you normally feed them all day. If this happens, it’s possible your cat is stressed or has developed a medical issue.
What You Can Do to Help:
Did you recently put your cat on a new diet? If so, this could be the cause of stress. The best way to keep your kitty calm and happy is to make food changes slowly. If your cat refuses the new option, try something else.
Cats who do not eat at all—for even a day or two—can get very sick very fast, so always inform your vet when your cat stops eating, particularly if the cat is very young or elderly.
A cat who wants to overeat could be suffering from boredom. One solution is to put their food in a treat ball. You can also get them moving more run and jump activities using a feather toy or wand.
4. AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
If your cat is suddenly very combative, that is a huge red flags and it’s your cat’s way of telling you something is not right.
After the vet gives your cat a clean bill of health, then it’s time to determine what changes you’ve recently made in your household that could be causing the stress, she adds.
What You Can Do to Help:
Give your cat a lot of love and attention if you’re experiencing changes in your home because this offers reassurance.
If you’re adding a new pet or a new family member is joining your home, try using calming diffusers, like Feliway plugs, in your home, and adding stress relief supplements, like Rescue Remedy, to your cat’s water bowl to help them relax.
Cats may become aggressive if they feel their environment is being threatened. Remember that the threat may or may not be real or it may have passed if it was real at one point. What matters is that your cat feels there’s a threat. The solution is to de-stress entirely and help your cat find a new normal.
5. INCREASED VOCALIZATION
When cats begin to age and experience discomfort, they often begin to vocalize mores, and cognitive changes can affect a cat’s mood and sense of well-being. Also, as with other behavioral changes, you cat may be telling you they do not like something that has changed in their environment or in the household.
What You Can Do to Help:
Once your vet has ruled out any medical issues, take note of when your cat yowls or makes any other vocalizations.
Early morning or nightime vocalization can be related to cognitive changes due to aging. Try using natural calming remedies, such as PetHonesty Dual Texture Calming Chews Supplement or Vetoquinol Zylkene Supplement, and providing your cat a safe room free of loud noises to sleep in, with easy-to-navigate furniture or cat posts to help your aging kitty.
Having play sessions and making sure your senior cat’s food needs are met will also keep him on track.
What Causes Stress in Cats
Domestic cats are both predator and prey on the food chain. This makes them prone to stress on a grander scale than their canine counterparts.
The causes of stress that lead to stressed cats range from small to life-changing. Potential stressors include:
· Shifting furniture
· A family member’s illness
· A move to a new home
· Traveling
· A death in the family
· A new baby
· A new cat or other pet
· Loud noises, especially thunder and fireworks.
· Their own health issues, especially when pain or older age are factors
How to Help Prevent Your Cat From Getting Stressed
While banishing all stress from your cat’s universe may not be possible, you may be able to avoid situations that can cause your cat anxiety and stress.
Here are a few ways to help prevent your cat from getting stressed:
· Really Get to Know Your Cat
· Pay attention to their body language.
· Learn what makes them happy.
· Schedule a daily time to offer attention, enrichment activities, and playtime.
· If your cat is not an indoor only cat, keep your cat indoors during storms and fireworks.
· Don’t Neglect Regular Checkups with Your Vet
· Make Gradual Changes, Not Rapid Ones
· When your cat needs to accept a new pet or baby, do not just throw the two together and hope for the best. Introduce them slowly so your cat can get used to the idea. If your cat hides, do not force them to come out for an introduction, let them do it in their time.
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