Is your usually cuddly cat suddenly hiding? Maybe your independent kitty has become clingy or is acting out with unusual aggression. These changes could signal cat anxiety, a common issue for our feline friends.
By understanding what’s causing your cat’s stress, recognising the signs of cat anxiety, and knowing how to manage it, you can help ease their anxiety and build a stronger bond together. In this blog we will explore how to identify feline anxiety, and share some practical tips to help make life calmer and more comfortable for your furry friend.
Key Takeaways
- Signs of cat anxiety include behaviours like excessive hiding, vocalisation, loss of appetite, and over-grooming or scratching.
- Common causes of anxiety in cats are environmental changes, loud noises, separation from their owners, and health issues like urinary tract infections.
- Creating a safe space for your cat, with quiet areas and familiar objects, can help them feel secure and reduce stress.
- Calming products, such as pheromone diffusers, anxiety vests, and soothing music, can be effective in helping to calm an anxious cat.
- If anxiety persists or worsens, seeking veterinary advice is crucial to rule out underlying health issues and get professional guidance on managing the behaviour.
Table Of Contents:
- Recognising Cat Anxiety
- Triggers of Cat Anxiety
- Practical Tips to Manage Cat Anxiety
- When to Seek Professional Help
- FAQs About Cat Anxiety
- Ian's Wrap
Recognising Cat Anxiety
Some anxious cats may become withdrawn, tucking their tails and avoiding interaction, while others show more obvious behavioural changes that are sometimes mistaken for "naughty" behaviour.
Spotting cat anxiety requires careful observation, since subtle shifts in behaviour might be the first clue. A change in eating habits- such as eating too much, too little, or displaying a change to appetite- could indicate an anxiety disorder. Physical signs of feline stress include flattening their ears against their head or pressing their fur tightly against their body.
Obvious Signs
- Hiding more frequently or in unusual places.
- Pacing or restlessness, especially before being left alone, a common sign of cat separation anxiety.
- Destructive scratching of furniture or other household items.
- Urine marking outside the litter box.
- Sudden aggression, especially towards family members.
- Excessive meowing or vocalisation
More Subtle Signs
- Reduced appetite or change in eating habits.
- Avoiding the litter box or showing unusual changes in urination habits.
- Mild muscle tension, especially in the hind legs.
- Dilated pupils.
- A hunched posture with tail standing erect.
- Excessive grooming or licking.
- Unusual vocalisations, such as hissing, trembling, or other distress signals.
Triggers of Cat Anxiety
Cat anxiety is often triggered by changes in their environment or routine, leading anxious cats to seek comfort through hiding.
Common Triggers
- Moving house.
- Changes in furniture arrangement.
- Vet visits.
- Loud noises (Eg. storms, fireworks).
- Being left alone, leading to cat separation anxiety.
- New people or pets in the home.
- Changes in routines, such as feeding times or your work schedule.
Underlying Issues
Sometimes, cat anxiety can be related to an underlying medical condition. Physical pain or illness can cause cats to suffer from increased anxiety levels.
In homes with multiple cats, stress can occur if cats feel they have to compete for space or resources. A lack of environmental enrichment can also lead to anxiety, as cats without enough stimulation may become stressed. Even subtle reasons, such as being confined to small spaces, can heighten cat anxiety.
Cats love vertical space, so consider providing a high point within their environment such as a cat tower or shelves. Adequate attention to a cat's surroundings is crucial for managing cat anxiety.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause anxiety in cats due to pain and the frequent urge to urinate. Unable to express their discomfort, they may hide, avoid the litter box, or act irritable. Prompt treatment can ease both their pain and stress, helping them feel more comfortable.
Practical Tips to Manage Cat Anxiety
Helping a cat with anxiety starts by understanding and correctly interpreting their behaviour. Thankfully, separation anxiety is manageable with adjustments to your home and routine.
Creating a Safe Space
Provide a quiet, confined space where your cat can retreat when overwhelmed. Cats in multi-cat homes also benefit from having their own space and a private area just for themselves, helping them feel secure and relaxed.
Enrichment and Play
Interactive playtime is essential. Use puzzle and interactive toys, like those available at Zach's Pet Shop, to provide mental enrichment, redirecting anxieties through play and frequent interactions. This is particularly helpful in multi-cat households where cats aren't always comfortable.
Synthetic Pheromones
Synthetic cat pheromones such as 'Feliway', create a sense of calm, which is particularly helpful for managing stress in multi-cat households. This pheromone mimics the natural scent cats use to mark their territory.
Both sprays and diffusers are available. Supplements such as 'Zylkene', can help reduce anxious behaviours related to stressful situations like vet visits.
Anti-Anxiety Vests
Anti-anxiety shirts and vests work by applying gentle, constant pressure to a cat’s body, similar to a comforting hug. This pressure activates calming sensations in the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and create a sense of security for an anxious cat.
Many cats feel soothed by this snug fit, making them particularly helpful during stressful events like thunderstorms, travel, or visits to the vet. They’re a non-invasive, drug-free option that can help ease anxiety and improve your cat’s comfort in situations that might otherwise be overwhelming.
Predictability and Routine
Cats thrive on routine. Maintain a consistent and stress-free environment and daily routine. These anxiety-reducing activities and routines provide relief for an anxious cat.
Additional Tips For Managing Cat Anxiety:
- Give your cat their own vertical space, such as a scratching tree, with a hiding place for privacy, especially during a move to a new house. This gives them a high point, promoting relaxation and keeping them away from perceived threats like dogs, reducing potential aggression.
- Set up multiple clean litter trays for multi-cat households to reduce urine spraying. Consider correct litter tray placement, and offer ample trays to aid cats in adjusting to new situations.
- Create predictable routines for play and socialisation, followed by a small meal. These structured interactions and brief routines help address social and dietary needs. This caters to how cats feel about their food and other challenging situations they might experience within their social groups.
When to Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, feline anxiety stems from an inherited predisposition. Genetic traits can influence a cat's behaviour.
Traumatic or negative experiences can also trigger extreme anxiety in cats. Seemingly minor events can significantly impact sensitive kitties, contributing to anxiety disorders.
If your cat's anxiety is severe or persistent, consult a vet or cat behaviourist. They can diagnose underlying medical issues or psychological concerns and discuss anti-anxiety medication if necessary.
It's also worthwhile talking to your vet about cat calming products like supplements and treats, or a medication plan to assist your cat. If your cat is struggling, consider seeking advice from your local vet. Remember, cats, just like humans, can experience anxiety.
FAQs About Cat Anxiety
What are signs of cat anxiety?
Signs vary from subtle- decreased appetite, excessive grooming, changes in urination behaviour, to obvious-destructive scratching, aggression, hiding. Changes in meowing patterns or frequency, including increased tension, also warrant attention. If your cat is avoiding the litter box or showing changes in their bathroom habits, it could be a sign of potential issues.
How to calm a stressed cat?
A stressed cat needs a calming environment. Create a safe, quiet space, use synthetic pheromones, maintain routines, and provide engaging toys. Consider using calming products like cat anxiety vests, medication, or supplements that help manage anxious behaviours.
How do cats act when stressed?
Stressed cats may withdraw, hide, groom excessively, experience appetite changes, display aggression, spray urine, or vocalise more.
Changes in meow patterns or increased muscle tension are also common signs of stress. Trembling and hiding are additional stress indicators in cats. These cats cope with stressful situations by hiding, indicating their anxiety in multi-cat households, especially when cats aren't showing obvious outward anxiety symptoms.
Why is my indoor cat stressed?
Indoor cats, despite being safe from outside dangers, can experience stress from environmental changes (rearranging furniture, new people or pets, unfamiliar noises). Multi-cat households can create territorial stress, especially when litter tray placement isn't ideal.
Additionally, a lack of exercise can contribute to stress.
Ian's Wrap
Cat anxiety is more common than many realise. Recognising the signs helps differentiate between normal behaviour and anxiety-driven actions. With observation, understanding, and proactive measures like using interactive and puzzle toys, or creating comfortable spaces to retreat, you can significantly improve your cat's well-being.
Remember, understanding cat behaviour is crucial. Consulting your vet or a cat behaviourist can provide tailored guidance for managing anxiety, addressing potential underlying causes, and developing personalised strategies.
