5 signs your cat is stressed
Cats are naturally adept at hiding weakness – it’s a defence mechanism. Unfortunately, this can make it harder to spot when your cat is suffering from stress. Knowing your pet and knowing what signs to look out for will help you figure out quickly that something is wrong so you can remedy it. It is especially important to recognise when your cat is feeling stressed, as it is thought to be one of the causes of idiopathic cystitis and other urinary complications that can have potentially fatal consequences.
Signs of stress in cats
1. Vertical scratching and urine spraying
Cats commonly deal with stress by marking their territory and redrawing their boundaries. Both urine spraying and vertical scratching is a way to communicate to other cats and claim territory. If you find your cat is urine spraying and/or vertical scratching in different places to normal, they could be stressed.
2. Excessive meowing
Cats very rarely meow at each other but do communicate with humans in this way. You may notice that your cat will always meow to ask for food or to greet you when you come home. If your cat is meowing more than usual, it’s likely they are trying tell you something.
3. Hiding or withdrawing
Like humans, cats sometimes take themselves away from frightening or stressful situations. If you find your cat is hiding or withdrawing more often, there could be something making them uneasy.
4. Boisterous behaviour
If a cat feels threatened or stressed you will see a change in their behaviour. If your usually friendly cat is being aggressive, or is puffing up and arching their back, there could be something making them feel frightened and stressed. Equally, your cat may become defensive and try to make themselves look smaller.
5. Changes in eating, grooming and activity levels
Like humans, cats will change their behaviour if they’re feeling stressed or anxious. While these changes are less common, you may find they’re eating more or less than usual, or notice that they’re over-grooming. They may also be less active and have less desire to play than normal.
Identifying that your cat is feeling anxious is only half the battle. Now you have to identify the cause and provide a solution.
The Beaphar CatComfort® Range is a simple and effective solution to reducing problem behaviour in cats, such as inappropriate scratching and urination, or general feelings of anxiety. The Beaphar CatComfort® Range uses a synthetic replica of the feline facial pheromone, which gives a continuous and reassuring message to let cats know that an area is safe area for them to be in.
The Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Diffuser is a complete starter kit, and ideal for use around the home. The easy-to-use plug-in can used anywhere in the home. It allows you to provide continuous reassurance for your cat, giving you a long term solution to reducing your cat’s problem behaviour. Each refill lasts for 30 days, and Beaphar CatComfort® 30 Day Refills are also available.
For reducing problem behaviour in targeted areas around the home, why not try Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Spray? Use on your cat’s bed to help them feel settled, or in areas where problem behaviour is exhibited. The pocket-sized spray is also ideal for use while travelling. Spray inside your cat’s empty carrier 15 minutes before trips to the vet or cattery to help your cat feel more at ease during the journey.
