Decoding Stress in Cats

Cats are funny creatures, and they keep us entertained and provide great companionship. As predator and prey animals, they are particularly sensitive to stress, and seemingly insignificant changes can make them anxious. Our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team knows a lot about feline behavior, and we offer information to help you recognize feline stress and provide tips to address the problem.

What causes stress in cats?

A better question may be: What doesn’t cause stress in cats? Cats are unique in that they are predator and prey animals. This means that they have the instincts to protect themselves from being a hungry animal’s food as well as to remain alert to an available food source such as a small mammal. Because of these opposing characteristics, cats are especially prone to stress, and any change in their environment can result in anxiety. Cats’ potential stressors include:

  • Illness — Any condition that causes your cat to feel ill can cause stress. Cats commonly experience diabetes, kidney disease, periodontal disease, and a urinary tract infection (UTI).
  • Pain — Arthritis is common in cats, especially seniors, and the condition can cause significant joint pain and stress.
  • Schedule change — A change in your daily routine, such as when your kids go back to school or if you start working from home, can upset your feline friend.
  • Household change — If you welcome a new baby or introduce a new pet, your cat can become stressed. In addition, rearranging your furniture can cause your cat anxiety.
  • Noise pollution — Cats don’t like loud sounds, and traffic noises or construction in or around your home can upset your cat.
  • Resource competition — Cats who live in multicat households often have an increased stress risk because they
  • Traveling — Traveling, including taking your cat to the veterinarian, can be stressful for them.

What are stress signs in cats?

How can you tell if your cat is stressed? While your feline friend may not be able to explain their feelings in words, they communicate in numerous ways to let you know they are stressed. Feline stress signs include:

  • Hiding — All cats need time to themselves in a favorite hiding spot, but if your cat is spending the majority of their time hiding and avoiding human contact, they may be stressed. 
  • Inappropriate elimination — Eliminating outside the litter box is a frustrating problem for many cat owners. However, your cat isn’t doing this to irritate you. Inappropriate elimination is your cat’s way of telling you something is wrong. 
  • Decreased appetite — Stress can make your feline friend eat less or not at all. If your cat is leaving their food untouched, our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team should evaluate your cat to determine the cause for their decreased appetite.
  • Increased vocalization — Some cats vocalize excessively when they are stressed, meowing or yowling loudly.
  • Aggression — Stressed out cats may respond by lashing out toward you or other household pets. 

How can stress in cats be prevented?

To pinpoint why your cat is anxious, you need to think about what’s been happening at home that might be causing their condition. To help prevent or decrease your feline friend’s stress, consider the following:

  • Scheduling regular veterinary visits — Through your cat’s annual or biannual veterinary visits, our team can detect conditions, such as kidney disease or arthritis, in the early stages, before they cause your cat stress. If your cat exhibits stress signs, your first step should be to schedule a veterinary visit, so our team can rule out a medical condition.
  • Cleaning the litter box — Cats are clean creatures, and they don’t appreciate a dirty litter box. Scoop the box twice a day and change the litter once a week to appease your feline friend’s hygiene requirements.
  • Placing the litter box — Cats are particular about their litter box placement. Place the box in a quiet, easily accessible area where people, other pets, or loud noises will not disturb or frighten them.
  • Providing resources  — If you have multiple cats in your home, ensure they all have appropriate resources. You should provide at least one litter box for each cat, plus one extra. Cats also need food and water bowls, elevated resting places, scratching posts, and toys.
  • Introducing a new pet — If you adopt a new pet, you should introduce them gradually to prevent a stressful situation. When introducing a new pet, follow these tips:

- Place the new pet in their own room with their necessary resources.

- Feed your cat and the new pet on opposite sides of the door to help them make good associations.

- Exchange your cat’s and new pet’s bedding so they can get used to each others’ scent.

- Let your cat and new pet meet each other through a barrier.

- As long as the situation remains civil, let your cat and new pet interact with supervision.

- Supervise your cat and new pet until you know they will stay calm when together.

  • Providing enrichment — Cats need physical and mental stimulation to avoid boredom and remain engaged. To enhance your cat’s activity level and mental enrichment, follow these tips:

- Schedule 15 minutes twice per day to play with your cat.

- Use a wand-style toy or laser pointer to encourage your feline friend to move.

- Feed your cat using a food-puzzle toy to make mealtimes more entertaining.

- Build your feline friend a climbing wall to give them a new perspective.

- Install a window perch, so your cat can watch birds and small animals in your yard.

  • Keeping your cat at a healthy weight — Overweight cats are at an increased risk for developing many health issues, and the extra pounds may inhibit their breathing and mobility, causing them to feel anxiety. Calculate your cat’s daily caloric needs and accurately measure their meal portions to ensure they receive the appropriate amount of food. If your cat is overweight, contact our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team so we can devise a safe weight-loss strategy. If cats lose weight too quickly, serious health complications can occur.

If your cat seems stressed, contact our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team, so we can rule out a health issue and help address their problem.