So kitty spent the holidays hiding in the closet. Should you just ignore her and let her get over it? Stress in cats can lead to illness – just like in humans. Prevention is always best, but if you are ready to help her deal with stressful times here are some tips.
Believe it or not, stress in cats is very common. In fact, cats are prone to anxiety. Stress can have some harmful effects on the well-being of your cat so it is important to recognize the signs, and if possible reduce the amount of stressors. Stress in cats can be triggered by what we might consider very minor things, but these issues represent changes to a cat’s habits and lifestyle and are therefore a cause of stress.
3 Behaviors Indicating Stress in Cats:
Excessive Grooming: Cats normally tend to groom themselves rather frequently but if you find that your cat seems to be doing so more often than usual, it is a sign that your cat is stressed. The opposite can also be true if a well groomed cat suddenly seems to care less about their appearance; it is a sign that something about their environment is making them unhappy.
Vocalizing: If your cat is normally very quiet and now seems to be constantly crying or vocalizing it is their way of saying that there is something disruptive in their environment, and they are feeling stress. In cats, stress can be relayed by hiding, or acting abnormally shy and fearful as well.
Not Using the Litter box: While there may be medical reasons for why your cat no longer uses the litter box, it could also be due to stress. If your cat has suddenly stopped using the litter box it is a good idea to have them looked over by a vet.
Reasons for Stress in Cats
A New Addition: While this could be anything from a new cat, to a new partner, to a new baby, what it really means a huge disruption of your cat’s routine. Introducing anything new to their environment is a cause of stress in cats, especially if the change happens quickly. It is important to realize that any changes to your routine also mean a change for your cat’s routine.
Someone Leaving: Just like adding someone to the family, someone leaving the family can be stressful to your cat. This is especially true if the person leaving is someone that was one of the primary caregivers for the cat or someone that the cat spent a lot of time with.
Something Changed: A change could be offering a different type of food or litter, or even the placement of the food bowls or the litter box. Once again this is all about changes to a cat’s routine and taking them out of their comfort zone. Make changes slowly whenever possible; to give your cat time to adjust.
When you think your cat is stressed it is important to spend more time with them and let them know that they are still loved. Always be patient with them and do not get angry if they are a bit grumpy with you.
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Permanent link to this post: Stress in Cats – Is Your Cat Stressed Out After the Holidays?
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