Just like us, cats can experience stress. The big difference is that they can’t tell us, and it may go unnoticed. Stress in cats needs to be taken seriously, as it will affect their well-being and health. It can also be a trigger for common behaviour problems, such as soiling inside the house. When cat owners are unaware of the signs of stress, and it gets missed, cats might develop health problems, or end up unnecessary for adoption. In this article, we will explore how you can recognize stress in your cat, common reasons for stress, and what can be done to minimise stress.
Signs of stress in cats
- Excessive and/or over grooming
- Change in scratching behaviour
- Excessive vocalisation
- Growling & Hissing
- Change in eating and drinking habits
- Change in behaviour, such as becoming withdrawn, hiding, being less tolerant, irritability, increased agitation, or aggression.
- Change in grooming habits
- Change of litter box habits.
- Body language that can include flattened ears, dilated pupils, a tense and hunched up body, and exaggerated swallowing or licking their nose.
Long term stress can also act as a trigger for health issues such as;
- Diarrhoea
- Skin problems
- Digestive issues
- Decline of physical condition
- Lack of appetite
- Urinary tract problems such as urinary tract obstruction.
Physical reasons of stress in cats
Cats that are in pain or discomfort will experience stress. When speaking of physical reasons of stress, one can think of injury and illness, such as chronic problems like arthritis or acute illnesses as wounds. Also factors such as being overweight or u
underweight, having dental problems, matted fur, or the decline of sensory abilities such as seeing or hearing, can lead to stress in cats. Emotions, like fear, also fall under physical reasons and can result in stress within your cat.
To prevent physical reasons of stress from occurring, or manage them to your best ability, it’s important to keep up with your cat’s grooming and hygiene, feed them a proper diet, and have them regularly seen by a vet to identify medical problems in a timely manner.
Environmental reasons of stress in cats
Under environmental reasons fall external factors. Most cats are very sensitive to change, and for some of them merely rearranging furniture can result in stress. Other environmental reasons for stress are events such as moving homes or the change of the family setup, either by people or animals being added to the household or leaving. Cats thrive on routine and habit, and changes to this can be stressful for them, leading to anxiety, behavioural difficulties and even aggression. Other environmental reasons that can trigger stress can be extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms and construction work.
Often environmental changes are inevitable, but by keeping your cat in mind and providing them with a helping hand, one can lower the amount of stress. Always have a safe space for your cat available, which gives them a spot to retreat in. When possible, try to gradually introduce environmental changes. For example, when moving homes, bring their items with their scent on them with them, and don’t give them full access to the whole house right away.
Social Interactions as a stress trigger in cats
Social interactions can trigger stress, especially when they are negative. These interactions can be with humans, but also between other animals, such as dogs or cats living in the same living space. A lack of stimulation, or being alone for long periods of time, which would be a lack of social interaction, can also be a cause of stress. While the opposite is also true, and overhandling can also create stress
To limit the amount of stress by social interactions, one can provide their cat with plenty of interactive play time and enriching activities. Learn cat body language, and be receptive to what they are telling you. Give them space when needed, and take precautionary steps to prevent a strained relationship between other pets and kids.
Tools that can help prevent stress
Products that use pheromone are a great tool that can help in reducing stress in your cat. Pheromones come as collars, sprays, and diffusers. For the best results, pheromone diffusers should be combined with solving the reasons of stress as the use of pheromones as stand-alone treatment might not be effective. When you are having trouble pinpointing and resolving the stress in your cat, or dealing with behavioural difficulties they might have, call in the help of a F\feline behaviourist.
Conclusion
Stress can have many consequences for your cat, and can seriously affect their well-being and health. By being aware of what the signs of stress are, and what are the common triggers , one can try and provide their cat with the best and most stress-free care.
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