Why are cats sensitive to stress?
As March is Pet Anxiety Month, I want to help raise awareness about the mental well-being of our cats who can be particularly sensitive to stress.
I believe that as loving cat owners, it is essential to recognise signs of anxiety and find ways to support them. Anxiety in cats can be triggered by various factors, including changes in their environment, loud noises, new people or pets, travel, or even smaller changes to their routine.
Common signs of anxiety I observe in cats include:
- Hiding or avoiding social interactions
- Litter tray issues (toileting in undesirable locations)
- Aggressive behaviour or sudden mood changes
- Over-grooming or loss of appetite.
If you notice these behaviours in your cat, itโs essential to address them early on to prevent further stress. Here are a few tips from me to help reduce anxiety in your cat and support them during difficult times:
- Provide high and hiding places: Make sure your cat has plenty of opportunities for getting up high and to hide, to help them feel secure and in control of their environment.
- Provide plenty of resources: The rule for litter trays, feeding and water locations, and resting places is to have one of everything per cat in the home, plus an extra one. They should all be separated from each other and well distributed to ensure cats can access what they need easily.
- Maintain a routine: Cats are creatures of habit. Try to avoid making any sudden changes to their lives and keep a consistent feeding and playtime regime.
- Use pheromones: FELIWAY diffusers can be plugged into areas of the home to help alleviate stress, or spray can be used on bedding prior to travel, for example.
- Provide mental & physical stimulation: Engaging your cat in play with interactive toys and activity feeders, and providing scratching posts and climbing opportunities helps to reduce stress.
- Be calm and patient: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is offer your cat your calm presence. Show them affection when they seek it, but respect their space if they donโt. Letting them feel in control of any interactions will help reduce anxiety.
During Pet Anxiety Month, take some time to assess your catโs emotional health and make sure youโre providing the best possible support. If anxiety seems to be affecting their quality of life, Iโd recommend contacting your vet for further guidance or potential treatments.
By being aware of the signs and taking steps to reduce stress, I believe we can ensure our cats lead happy, comfortable lives.
Rosie Bescoby,ย Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Pet Sense
Rosie Bescobyย is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist with a degree in Psychology and Zoology and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling, based in and around Bristol and North Somerset. Rosie is a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and registered as both a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and as an Animal Training Instructor with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. For more information please visit:ย www.pet-sense.co.uk
