​How to recognize stress in cats

Has your cat been acting strange? Has it been hiding at the sound of the doorbell, or acting cautious and upset with family members or houseguests? Maybe your cat has been urinating or defecating outside of the litter box. These behaviors can all be signs that your cat is stressed.

What causes stress and anxiety in cats?

One way to determine whether your cat is stressed is to look at a situation from their point of view. While having a houseguest might be exciting for the owner, it's a new smell, a new person and a disruption in routine for the cat. Other common causes of stress for cats include new pets, new babies, remodeling, construction, storms, or general changes to their routine.

How to recognize stress in cats

Cats exhibit stress in a variety of ways. They may have skin, bladder and/or gastrointestinal issues. They may also urinate outside their litter box, vocalize excessively with growls or hissing, act aggressively toward people or other animals, or groom obsessively. Some cats have even been known to lick themselves bald from stress.

Helping prevent or alleviate stress in cats

So what can be done to help ease a cat's stress and anxiety? One thing is to minimize their exposure to unpleasant circumstances. Rather than boarding your cat when you travel, could you use a pet sitter so they can stay where they feel safe?

"Environmental enrichment" is a term used by veterinarians to describe ways to make your house a happier home for your cat. Cats can become bored, which can also lead to behavioral issues. By nature, cats love to hunt, so engage them in games whenever you can.

Another idea for reducing feline stress is to add extra litter boxes or feeding stations. This reduces competition in a multi-cat household. Many cats enjoy vertical spaces and may appreciate a cat tree, where they can observe household activities from a safe distance. Water fountains can help encourage your cat to drink more water.

There are other ways to help manage your cat's stress if they are not receptive to the above suggestions. Feline pheromones (chemical substances released in the environment that affect the behavior of an animal) are available in diffusers and sprays that help relieve stress. Many veterinary clinics use them to help calm their feline patients.

Prescription medications are another possibility your veterinarian may recommend. And for those owners who are not able to give their cats oral medications, veterinary-exclusive diets may be an option to discuss with a veterinarian.

Visit Your Vet

Your veterinarian is the best source of information concerning stress in your cat and will be able to advise you on how to make your trip to the clinic easier. Once the diagnosis of anxiety is confirmed, you can discuss management options for your cat.