Stress in Cats

Common stress signs in cats include:

Physical

– Gut upsets e.g. vomiting or diarrhoea

– Overgrooming of coat leading to bald patches

– Flu-like symptoms (runny nose or eyes)

– Pica (eating inappropriate things e.g. litter)

– Poor appetite

– Increased sleeping/lethargy

– Increased thirst

– Sudden change in weight – loss or gain

– Poor coat condition

– Changes in toilet habits, including signs of cystitis

Behavioural

– Changes in routines

– Toileting outside of litter tray/normal areas

– Urine spraying on furniture

– Increased furniture scratching

– Changes in aggression – to people or other pets

– Increased vocalisation

– Increased interactions with people (increased dependency)

– Reduction in interactions with people (withdrawal)

– Increased startle drive – jumps at every sudden movement

– Increased hiding around the house

– Lack of interest in play

It is really important to pay attention to any changes in your cat, and if change occurs to get them checked by a vet, in case there is anything else underlying. We can suggest ways to relieve tension in the home e.g. using pheromone plug-ins (feliway/pet remedy), or products to reduce anxiety. If required, we can arrange an appropriate referral to a registered behaviourist.

How to Reduce Your Cat’s Stress Level

If your cat is showing signs of acute stress, the answer is pretty simple. Either remove them from the situation that is stressing them out, or remove the thing that is stressing them from their presence. Once you have done that, give them some quiet time alone and see if they have returned to their normal selves. It may take a while, and if they were really upset, it may even take a day or two. But if it was something specific (anything from a vet visit to fireworks), it should resolve in a short period of time.

If there are long term physical or behavioral stress symptoms, the problem may be more complex. Here’s what to do.

• First, try to figure out what changed in your cat’s life about the time they started showing stress. Sometimes this will be easy to know — a move, a new family member, a certain event. Other times, it’ll be harder to pin down. It could have been caused by something that happened when you weren’t around to see, or it could have developed over time. The more you understand the cause, the better you are able to help.

  
  

• Next, have your cat checked out by a veterinarian. Yes, this in itself is a stress inducing event, but you need to make sure that your cat isn’t sick. Lots of stress symptoms are caused by illness. Ideally, you could have them examined by a home vet visit. Just make sure there aren’t other medical problems going on.

  
  

• Think about what your cat needs, from a cat’s point of view. Many times a cat’s stress is caused by an environment that is disturbing to them. Is the litter box or feeding station near a noisy washing machine? Is the only private space they have under the bed? Do they lack stimulation, like window perches, cat trees, or scratching surfaces? Do they get enough play or social time? Consider what may be lacking in your cat’s life, and give it to them.

  
  

• Don’t force affection on them, and don’t try to make them do things they don’t want. A cat that swats at you because you are hugging them against their will is stressed, and it’s not amusing. Expecting your cat to behave like a dog and getting mad when they don’t is stressful. Your cat should have the freedom and ability to do what they do best: cat things. Don’t expect them to be any more or less than that.

  
  

• Consider pheromone sprays and wipes. These may help reduce a cat’s stress level.

  
  

• If there are outside circumstances, like roaming animals or noise on your street, figure out a way to put a space between your cat and those disturbances. Can you discourage other cats or critters from coming around your house? Is there a way you can dull outside noise with curtains or window treatments? When it comes to noise, lessening it will benefit you too.

  
  

• If your cat’s stress is caused by a situation that can’t be changed, like a move or a new baby, think about what you can do to improve their quality of life. Can you create a private space that is all their own? Can you offer some quality time on a regular schedule for play or treat sessions? If another family member in the house (human or animal) is the cause of stress, is there a way to keep them separate without making the cat feel like an outcast? Each cat’s situation is unique and only you can know what will suit your cat the best.

  
  

• Hire a cat behaviorist. These guys aren’t used often enough, and they are really helpful! They will talk to you about your cat and your situation, and they have the insight to see what’s going on that you may be missing. Find a behaviorist who has studied and acquired a certification, not just someone with a website and a pitch. You’d be surprised at what you may learn.