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Cat Stress: Symptoms and Treatment

As a cat parent, it is important to keep in mind that our felines can also have bad days from time to time when they might not be at their meowing best. In addition to their complex mood patterns, the introverted nature of cats can also cause them to crave space and feel withdrawn, especially if they are struggling with cat stress.

Understanding Cat’s emotions

As dear as your feline munchkin is to you, being empathetic and trying to understand your cat’s emotions can help you to deal with the signs cats are stressed, and figure out ways for anti stress for cats so that your feline munchkin can overcome the detrimental effects of cat stress at the earliest. In addition to offering them some space and making sure they have everything to bring them comfort, you can also consult a veterinarian to help you understand your cat’s emotions while they are showing the signs cats are stressed.

Cat stress, especially when it becomes severe, can raise concerns among cat parents. So, if you are worried about your cat’s struggle to fight signs your cat is stressed and be consistent about their behaviour, it is better to seek help from a qualified behaviourist instead of punishing or reproaching your precious furball. Qualified behaviourists, in addition to helping you understand this sudden change in your cat's emotions, can also help in finding out the underlying cause of stress, and help you design a behavioural plan to beat stress in cats.

Different Signs of Cat Stress

Watching their precious furball in anguish from the cat stress symptoms can be heartbreaking for cat parents, making them look for effective measures to help ease stress in a cat. And in order to help manage cat stress, it is important to be able to read the various signs and symptoms of a stressed cat. Not only will this allow you to safely mitigate cats and stress, but also actively look for the proper solutions for cats and stress and help ease the signs of stress in cats. So, mentioned below are the common symptoms of stress in a cat to look out for:

Excessively licking or grooming themselves

One of the signs of stress in cats is your furry munchkin vigorously or excessively licking and grooming their fur than the average cat does. It might be one of the obvious signs and symptoms of a stressed cat, which means your kitty is suffering from pent up stress in a cat. Excessively grooming themselves is actually a sign that they are trying to comfort themselves in this time of distress or cat stress symptoms. 

Reduced appetite

Although cats are famously known for being foodies who get excited at the sight of their favourite treats, signs of stress cats can take an obvious toll on their usual appetite. Cats often feel vulnerable and put down their guard while eating, and giving up on their favourite food is generally a sign of stress in cats, as signs of stress cats can cause our adorable mousers to go into a state of high alert. 

Reluctance to use cat litter

Much like eating, using cat litter is a time when cats let their guard down, and signs of stress in cats can make your furball avoid the cat litter altogether. In addition to the cat litter, reluctance to use cat flaps can also be a prominent sign of stress in cats or anxious cat symptoms.

Being withdrawn

While cats often show an introverted disposition, the signs and symptoms of a stressed cat cause them to completely withdraw, even from their favourite humans, and even appear aggressive.

How to Help a Stressed Cat?

Identifying cat stress symptoms and understanding cats and stress can help you alleviate the signs and symptoms of a stressed cat. Mentioned below are some of the effective ways of stressed cat treatment that may help in stress relief for cats or reduce the signs of stress cats or anxious cat symptoms.

Anti stress cat food

When it comes to cats and stress, reduced appetite is one of the signs that cat is stressed. So, bringing them their favourite cat food for stressed cats or anti stress cat food treats can help in easing their stress and feel loved.

Catnip

Catnip is an excellent way of easing the signs cats are stressed, as the nepetalactone in catnip can relieve the symptoms of stress in a cat. Spraying catnip or offering a catnip chew toy can go a long way in easing the cat stress symptoms.

Put up perches

Putting up perches around the household is a way of beating stress in a cat. This is because perches offer vantage points for cats to help them relieve the cat stress symptoms by getting familiar with a new environment from a safe and secure distance.

Playing with your cat

Cats are generally playful, so you can always settle for a play session with them if you are worried about cats and stress and how the symptoms of stress in a cat are affecting your furry buddy. But as much as playing can help reduce the signs of stress cats, it is also important to respect their personal space and give them some time to recover from the signs cats are stressed if they are not keen about playing at the moment. 

FAQs

What can I give my cat to reduce stress?

You can use stress relief products such as calming collars, pheromone diffusers, and thundershirts to calm your fur baby. Or you can also offer calming cat food and treats and use play as a distraction. If nothing works and the signs of stress in cats continues for long, take your furry to see a vet.

Does petting a cat relieve stress?

While petting a cat will relieve your stress, the same cannot be said for your furry baby. Of course, if your fur kid wants to curl up to you when stressed, give her all the cuddles, but usually, a stressed cat would like to be left alone and hide in a safe place when stressed.

Do cats purr when they are stressed?

Indeed, they do, since purring is not just a way of communicating contentment, affection, and happiness, but it is also a self-soothing technique. So yes, a stressed kitten might also purr.

What stresses out a cat?

  • Some of the most common causes of stress in cats are:
  • Change in routines
  • Home relocation
  • New member in the family
  • Loud noises
  • Vet visits
  • Getting bullied by other animals

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