Cats experience anxiety, too, and if you know your cat’s personality well enough, you will be able to easily spot signs of stress. If you notice your cat is acting strange or behaving unlike his normal self, there’s indeed a chance that a certain event is making him anxious. Anxiety is pretty common in cats and it could lead to serious problems if left untreated.
Causes of Anxiety in Cats
To successfully address cat stress and anxiety symptoms, it would help to try to determine what’s causing anxiety in your cat. Has there been a change at home lately? Major household events such as moving to another house, taking in a new pet, or the loss of a family member are a few examples of situations where cats have been known to show signs of anxiety. Different types of anxiety in cats may be caused by different triggers such as:
·
Boredom – Cats
that aren’t given enough attention or allowed to engage in stimulating
activities may either withdraw or try to let out some pent-up energy by
engaging aggressive behavior.
·
Fear – Your
cat may be exhibiting anxiety symptoms due to a traumatic experience or an incident
that incited fear.
·
Unfamiliar environment –
Moving is stressful for most cats, because they are deeply territorial
creatures. You need to be extra considerate of your pet when you’re relocating with your
cat.
·
Separation anxiety –
The introduction of a new pet or a new baby, the loss of a family member, or
any other similar situation can trigger separation anxiety in cats. Any changes in routine due to a new
schedule, for instance, could also trigger cat separation anxiety symptoms.
·
Medical illness – Your cat
may not be acting like his usual self because he is unwell or is in pain.
·
Ageing – Older cats are prone to anxiety. Your
elderly cat may be showing symptoms
of separation anxiety due to dementia or nervous disorders.
Signs of Anxiety in Cats
If you suspect that your cat is suffering from any type of
anxiety, these are some of the symptoms of cat anxiety to watch out for:
·
Aggressive behavior –
Some cats tend to get aggressive when anxious, scared, or overwhelmed.
Aggressive behavior can cause damage to property or harm to people.
·
Vocalization –
Cats suffering from anxiety tend to meow more than usual. The vocalization
would typically sound distressed, as if asking for attention or help.
·
Over-grooming – Notice
your cat grooming himself a little more than usual? Anxious cats tend to
over-groom, which could actually lead to hair loss, sores, and lesions.
·
Litter box “accidents” –
If your cat suddenly stops using his litter box and has “accidents” in
forbidden parts of the house, this could be a sign that he has anxiety.
However, this may also indicate other health problems such as urinary tract
infection.
·
Trembling – Anxiety in
cats may also manifest in other physical symptoms like trembling.
·
Tailing – Your
cat won’t let you out of sight? Cats
love being near their owners for several reasons. It’s possible your cat is
feeling anxious and is trying to be near you for comfort.
·
Withdrawal – Don’t
see your cat anywhere? Your cat won’t come to you even if it’s time for his
meal? Your cat could be hiding because of anxiety.
·
Pacing – Cats
love to sleep, sometimes for up to 16 hours a day.
If they can’t stay still, this could be a sign that your cat is suffering from
anxiety.
·
Eating more or eating less –
In the same way that people lose their appetite or tend to overindulge when
stressed, anxiety may also be affecting your cat’s eating habits.
·
Lethargy – The
lack of energy or showing disinterest in play activities your cat normally
loves could indicate an underlying health issue, such as anxiety.
· Other signs – Anxious cats may also show symptoms which include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, poor coat condition, runny nose, teary eyes, and eating non-food items.
Treating Your Cat’s Anxiety
If
you noticed cat anxiety symptoms and would like to help
your pet, take the following steps.
1. Rule out any
possible medical conditions.
Make sure that the anxiety isn’t rooted
into a more serious health problem. Take your cat to the vet to see if your cat
is suffering psychologically or if there’s an illness that needs to be
addressed. Do this as soon as possible if the anxiety symptoms start to look
serious.
2. Make your
cat feel safe.
Try to create an environment where your cat
would feel safe and comfortable. However, you don’t want to make many changes
all at once as you already know how change could trigger anxiety in cats. You
can start by setting up a cat tree or something similar, which can be a place
for your cat to hide and relax.
You may also put up scratching posts around the house, which would also serve
the purpose of keeping your cat happily busy. If your cat is afraid of loud
noises, try to keep the room where he sleeps soundproof, or have him wear a
calming shirt.
3. Introduce
stimulating activities.
Try to look for toys that could motivate
your cats. Online stores offer food puzzle toys that combine two of your cat’s favorite activities:
eating and hunting. At the very least, spend a few minutes a day playing with or
training your
cat. There’s a possibility that this is all he needs.
4.
Try anxiety relief medication.
A
lot of vets would prescribe medication like Gabapentin for the cat’s anxiety
symptoms. You also have the option to try and offer your cat natural remedies
like diffusers that release feline pheromones to help cats feel relaxed. Seek
your vet’s advice before you try anything as some products could be toxic to cats.
What Happens if Cat Anxiety Remains Untreated?
If left untreated, anxiety in cats could
only get worse over time. Not only can it alter your cat’s behavior, but chronic
stress can also affect your pet cat’s well-being. Symptoms such as loss of
appetite or diarrhea can make your cat weaker, so you want to address the anxiety
problem right away. With your tender loving care and professional help, you can
help your cat get over the stress he is experiencing and restore him to full
health.
