It’s easy to make fun of cats for their sometimes aloof nature. After all, Fluffy does bite for fun, and she has a history of leaving dead animals as a way to thank you gift for all of the food, toys, treats, and lap space that you provide. However, this really isn’t fair. At the end of the day, kitties are very emotional little furballs. They, like humans, can experience loneliness, grief, fear, worry, and tension. Read on as a local Cedar City, UT veterinarian addresses cats’ stress levels.

How Do I Know If My Cat is Stressed?

Fluffy cannot tell you how she feels, but if you pay careful attention, you can get a sense of your kitty’s overall mood and state of being. Watch out for behavioral cues.

Some of them include the following:

• Hiding
• Do Not Like To Be Touched Or Petted
• Litterbox Issues
• Excessive Grooming
• Consuming Non-Food Substances
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Rapid Respiration
• Unusual/Excessive Vocalization
• Clinginess
• Pacing
• Nervousness
• Aggression
• Spraying
• Weight Loss Or Gain

Fluffy’s stance and body language can also provide some insight. Anxious kittens frequently have dilated pupils, and may lick their noses. They may also lay their ears flat on their head and draw their whiskers back. Their tails may droop or be tucked down close to the body. Fluffy may crouch or hunch frequently, as opposed to hanging herself over the back of the couch like a joyful, calm cat. She also may refuse to lie on her back, which would expose her stomach.

It’s crucial to note that many of these symptoms might also indicate illness. Schedule an exam with your kitty’s Cedar City, UT veterinarian to ensure that there is no medical issue to blame.

How Can I Soothe My Anxious Kitty?

There are ways to calm Fluffy. Of course, you must also determine the underlying cause of your cat’s nervousness. If you have a rescue cat that is anxious and is just beginning to learn how to trust, you might need to take a somewhat different approach than you would if you were dealing with a cat that is paralyzed by fear of your dog.

If you have other pets and know or think that there is conflict between them, you may need to take further precautions. One critical step is to ensure that you have enough resources for all of your pets. Make sure that Fluffy does not have to compete with her roommates for food, water, toys, or litterbox space. For further information, ask your veterinarian.

How Can I Make My Stressed-Out Cat Feel At Home?

You’ll need to create an environment that makes your frightened pet feel safe and comfortable. The good news is that creating a feline-friendly kitty palace in your own house is a breeze.

• TLC: First and foremost, ensure that your kitty is receiving excellent care. A proper kitty-care regimen includes adequate food, fresh water, a clean litterbox, and frequent veterinary care. Ask your vet for specific advice.
• Napping Areas: Offer your sleepy pet plenty of comfortable napping locations. Kitties aren’t choosy about beds. Store-bought ones are fine, but Fluffy is equally content to curl up on a folded blanket or a pillow placed in a wicker basket.
• Hiding Places: Nervous kitties often prefer confined settings because they feel safest when nothing can sneak up on them. Fluffy may prefer an enclosed kitty condo or a cat tower with enclosed sections. You can also provide boxes and create small nooks and crannies for your pet under the bed or behind the couch.
• Kitty Comforts: While you don’t have to go overboard in transforming your home into a luxurious kitty palace, there are several things you can do. We would propose that your pet has a cat tower with vertical room. Fluffy doesn’t have a good perspective from ground level, so she feels safer from a high position where she can observe what’s going on around her. Your pet will also like little kitty hidey-holes, such as paper grocery bags with the handles cut off, kitty condos, and cat tunnels, as well as boxes. Small touches, such as keeping a light and radio on while you’re gone, will also be appreciated by your pet. Catnip and treats can also get that motor going. 
• Scratching Posts: Scratching is a normal cat behavior. Fluffy has an innate need to care for her claws. After all, she relies on them in the wild! Scratching can also be calming for kittens. Provide a tower, post, or board for your kitty companion to do her nails on.
• Window Seat: One simple but crucial thing you can do to keep that little motor going is to give your feline companion a window seat with a good view. Fluffy gets to combine three of her favorite activities: sunbathing, napping, and viewing the local wildlife.
• Cat-Calming Products: Speaking of soothing, calming products may also be useful. Follow the package directions exactly, and consult your veterinarian for particular advice and recommendations.
• Medicine: Some of our feline friends may benefit from medicine. Discuss your cat’s stress and behavior with your veterinarian, and seek recommendations.
• Routine: Cats have fewer daily activities on their schedules than dogs. Fluffy will not need to be walked, and she will schedule her 43 daily naps on her own. Just try to keep a consistent routine for meals and playtimes.
• Toys and Playtime: Kitties can benefit from both entertainment and physical activity playing provides. For one thing, chasing the elusive red dot or pouncing on the catnip mouse will allow Fluffy to expend any anxious energy she may have. She’ll be naturally calmer after. This is similar to a person going for a run to relieve stress after a hard day. Furthermore, when you take the time to hold a string toy for your furry pal, your pet will realize you are doing something for her. This will make her feel loved and protected.

Playing might also help your pet develop confidence. Cats really do need to concentrate to coordinate those intricate run/pounce combos. A successful pounce might boost your pet’s confidence.

• Positive Feedback: Anxiety could drive cats to misbehave. For example, a stressed-out cat may urinate outside the litterbox. Punishing Fluffy for this faux pas can worsen her nervousness and make her avoid the litterbox even more. It is also important to recognize that cats are naturally fearful. (We know some of our feline friends are pretty bold and fearless, but even courageous kitties may be frightened easily.)

Always concentrate on positive reinforcement and making every interaction with you enjoyable and relaxing.

Last but not least, make sure your kitty companion feels loved. Small things like giving her a forehead boop as you walk past, talking to her, offering her treats, and allowing her to curl up with you at night can make her feel appreciated. Ask your Cedar City, UT vet for tips. 

Why Do Kitties Get Stressed?

Fluffy can feel stressed over a wide range of issues. Major changes are a big one. Here are some other possible options:

• Schedule changes
• Loud noises
• Moving home
• Other pets
• Pain
• Cats outside the household
• New additions to your family
• Separation anxiety
• Veterinary visits
• Insufficient/Crowded resources (litterbox, food, etc.)
• Boredom
• Changes in the household
• Construction Noise
• Environmental challenges
• Disease
• Improper socialization
• Moving
• Getting new furniture
• New baby
• New pets
• Loneliness

If you’re not sure why your pet is stressed, consult your veterinarian.

Make An Appointment At Our Cedar City, UT Pet Clinic

Do you need to set up an appointment at our pet hospital? Contact us at your nearest Cedar City, UT animal clinic now!