Your cat might be feeling anxious due the following: poor health, conflicting with a new dog, changes in diet, or worse. Whatever the reason, there are signs and symptoms that can help you make your cat feel happier.
How to tell if your cat has stress?
What indicators should you look for in your cat to see if they are feeling stressed? Like people, there are indicators. While not all indicators will indicate stress, it is possible that your cat is feeling less cheerful.
Avoid eating
Your cat won’t starve herself for fun, so if you notice that your cat hasn’t been eating their food, you should definitely look to investigate further.
Not properly using the litter box
If your cat urinates outside the litter box or otherwise just doesn’t seem to be using the litter box correctly or at all, then We’re All About Pets state that this could be an indicator that your cat is stressed, uncomfortable with the placement of the litter box, or that they have a potential health issue. If your cat stops using the litter box, it could be a sign that they are suffering from a serious mental or physical condition.
Antisocial Behavior
Cats aren’t the most social creatures. But if your cat has stopped being social with you or suddenly stops acting normally, you might suspect something is wrong. If your cat is stressed, she may hide from you or climb up or perch high. This kind of behavior is fine if it only occurs sometimes, but if it’s happening frequently, it could indicate that your cat is stressed.
Excessive grooming
Erratic behavior is a pretty good indicator that your cat isn’t feeling like herself, and one of those strange behaviors is excessive grooming. Cats will clean themselves frequently, but excessive grooming can lead to bald or raw spots on the cat’s fur and are a definite sign that your cat is stressed out about something. Grooming can be an effective coping mechanism. However, excessive grooming can indicate that your cat is stressed out.
Aggressive Tendencies
Although your cat may not be the friendliest, it could be a problem if it suddenly changes its behavior around other animals or people. An aggressive cat is likely to try to keep people away from it, which can be common in stressful situations.
All things ratcheted up
Stressed cats need to be relieved of their pressure. This may involve them scratching up furniture and clothes. This behavior should be a warning sign of something wrong.
How to help a stressed cat
Okay, so we’ve listed the symptoms of a stressed cat. Now let’s talk about how to help a stressed cat!
Get to the Root Cause
To stop your cat from feeling stressed, it is best to determine the cause. It is possible to trace the source of the unusual behavior to the source. For cats, this could be introducing a pet or stranger into the home or introducing a baby to the home. These are the top reasons cats feel stressed. Once you have identified the stressor, you can then work with your feline friend to alleviate or eliminate it.
Play Dates
Playing with your cat will make you feel better and help relieve stress. Many cats feel stressed when they are alone or depressed. Engaging in activity with your cat can be great for their mental and physical health. Stress can be relieved by taking your cat out for a walk, playing with string or yarn, or running outside.
Make their Home a sanctuary
Your cat can feel safe in your home. Cornell University experts agree that cats can feel stressed if they don’t feel comfortable. They may not have a ‘safe space’ to retreat to when they feel anxious, or they may feel overwhelmed by all the activity in your home. Cat trees and cat bed caves can be used to create a perch or hidey hole, or a cat cave, like Feltcave. These products are available at most pet shops and can provide a safe hiding place for your cat. Hiding is part of a cat’s instinctual behavior, as hiding helps wild cats find prey and remain safe. We love The Cat Ball’s Great White Shark Bed (pictured above).Below).
Final Thoughts
Consider how you feel when you’re stressed and what you do to relieve stress. You might have the same concerns as your cat. By working with your cat to reduce stress, you can prolong her life and make her happier and healthier.
If you’re still not sure if it is stress that is causing your cat to feel and act the way she is, then you should take your cat to the vet for a professional assessment as soon as possible.
