why your cat suffers from stress and how to help it

How to spot a stressed cat

When your cat is under stress, you will notice it through a series of changes in your behavior in various aspects of your life.

Here we indicate which most common changes in cats due to stressful situations, according to a study published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Feeding

The cat is usually stressed eat less, so you’ll notice that their food doesn’t run out. However, there are times when stress causes a cat to eat more and more. Here it is important to know about change in the amount of food What does your pet eat?

Hygiene

Unlike a stressed person, a stressed cat tends to groom itself more than necessary. Depending on the specific problem the animal is facing, it may no longer groom itself as usual, but in general you will notice that your cat spends more time grooming.

Activity

The cat is stressed reduces your activity level: play less, explore less, etc.

territory marking

you will notice that your cat marks less with skin glands (for example, when he rubs his head against your legs), but he may start mark your territory with urine.

Living with other cats or people

Positive interactions with a stressed cat tend to decrease. This means that the cat is likely to spend less time interacting with you or other people.

Their interactions with other cats and animals in general may become more aggressive.

meows

Vocalizations of various forms (not limited to meowing) tend to increase when the cat is in a stressful situation.

In this case, it is important to know your cat’s normal way of communicating very well in order to detect any unusual behavior.

alert status

Stress makes cats stay in constant state of alert. This means your cat will increase their vigilance status and spend more time hiding.

Aggressiveness

aggression tends to increase in a stressed cat. This may not be direct, and the animal may simply become more aggressive when playing.

compulsive behavior

Excessive licking of an area, for example, is a type of compulsive behavior that a cat can develop due to stress. A healthy cat in an optimal environment no need to develop compulsive behavior.

Identify the source of your cat’s stress (strange noises, people, other animals…) and learn how to calm it down.

How to Reduce My Cat’s Stress

According to research Stress in Domestic Cats: Behavioral Changes and Implications for Well-Beingthe source of which we cited above, comment Things to remember to reduce your cat’s stress.

The first option of course remove stimulus it causes stress to your kitten.

However, eliminating the stressful stimulus is not always possible (if the cat is being irritated by another family member or another pet, for example), in which case one should try improve your cat’s environment to avoid stress.

Make sure your cat has:

• A a space where you feel safewhere dogs or cats that cause you stress do not have access.
• A interactive food dispenser or puzzle it promotes their hunting instinct and can help improve their mood.
• high places guard your territory or hide from threats like cat trees.
• Sandpit, seating area and place to eat away each other.
• A enough space for scraping and sharpening nailsas this is a very important activity for cats.
• schedule feeding and play.

The daily routine of a person should be as predictable as possible for a cat.

Music can calm your cat

Why is my cat stressed?

Cats are very independent animals that like to live alone. As for domestic cats, they tend to enjoy the company of other kittens. if you have blood ties with them.

For example, in wild cat colonies, all mininos usually have a family relationship. Your cat may tolerate the company of another cat, but their presence can be stressful even if the symptoms are not so obvious.

The new cat in the neighborhood can also stress your cat and also lead to fights by setting boundaries and rules of interaction.

Even if he wins the fights, your pet will still be under stress due to the presence of this unknown feline.

On the other hand, cats are very territorial. It means that any changes in your area (for example, changing the decor of a house or building) can stress the cat.

things that stress cats

According to a study published in the journal Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgeryyou can say that you things that stress cats the most:

• boring environment: Lack of toys, distractions, or activities can be stressful for your kitten.
• Little interaction with people: If the relationship with their people is bad (or worse, if it’s a bad relationship), we’re bound to end up at home with a stressed cat.
• Conflicts with other cats: As we mentioned above, territory fights or just the appearance of a strange cat can be more important causes of stress for your cat.
• Lack of control and unpredictability of their daily activities: Cats are animals that love routine. If this is affected, or if they lack daily structure, they may feel very stressed.

In general, everything new in the environment stresses the cat. This includes both physical changes in the space where you live, as well as changes in your activities or the addition of a new family member.

Effects of stress in cats

Both cats and humans stress causes the release of cortisone in the body. This hormone is the body’s way of preparing the instinctive fight-or-flight response, allowing us to quickly decide whether to run from danger or fight a threat.

In the long term, cortisone proves to be harmful as it suppresses the cat’s immune system and makes it less able to respond to infections.

Thus, stress ultimately reduces your cat’s ability to cope with illness, but can also lead to other health problems such as over-grooming or urinary tract disorders.

What should I do if my stressed cat has trouble urinating?

If stress is already causing your cat urine problemsit is important that you encourage him to drink more water. Giving him a cat fountain might be a good idea.

If you have multiple cats, it’s important to remember that the rule of thumb for avoiding stress is to have at least one tray per catplus extra for what can happen.

Cats and stress: how can a veterinarian help me?

Stress in cats usually arises from domestic situations, which gives us the opportunity to correct it.

However, in some cases it may be appropriate supplement or special diet to combat stress in cats.

Did you know that there are aerosol pheromones that help reduce your pet’s stress?

In the most severe cases, the veterinarian may prescribe stress relief in cats.

Since stress is quite common in cats, it is recommended that you discuss this with your cat. trusted veterinarianalthough travel can also be stressful. It’s for your own good!