How to Relieve Stress in Cats

When you notice a change in your cat's behavior, it could be a sign of stress. The concept of stress for us is different from how cats experience it, and sometimes even the smallest things can disrupt their peace. Changes in daily life, the appearance of stray cats in the yard, new litter, the owner traveling far, or a vet visit can make cats unhappy. Stress not only causes discomfort for cats (and you), but it can also affect their health, leading to a weakened immune system, increased risk of infection, and excessive grooming behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to implement methods to reduce stress in cats.

Observe changes when your cat uses the litter box. Difficulty urinating is a common result of stress. The hormones that cause stress can lead to bladder inflammation, triggering physical symptoms. You need to monitor your cat’s frequency of urination. Signs that they are having issues include frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and blood in the urine.

• Do not ignore these signs; you should take your cat to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms. If left untreated, bladder infections can cause severe blockages and pose a serious threat to your cat's life.

Identifying excessive grooming behavior. Cats under stress often engage in excessive grooming, to the point where their fur begins to fall out. The areas that cats typically groom include their belly, inner thighs, and front legs. Grooming releases natural morphine-like substances that help cats feel more relaxed and secure.

• You should take your cat to the vet before assuming the cause is stress (allergies and parasites can also lead to excessive grooming in cats).

Note the occurrence of diarrhea. Some cats experience stomach discomfort due to stress, which can result in diarrhea. Regardless of the cause (stress or infection), you should take your cat to the vet for treatment to address the diarrhea with medication.

Recognizing when a cat urinates outside the litter box. Cats may do this because they are so stressed that they cannot use their litter box, or they may mark their scent around the house to feel safer.

• However, other issues such as arthritis, bladder inflammation, or stomach discomfort can cause similar symptoms, so it's best to bring your cat to the vet for a proper diagnosis.

Recognizing excessive meowing or vocalizing behavior. Some cats become overly attached to their owners and try to gain attention by vocalizing more frequently.

Be aware that restlessness is also a sign of stress. Cats that are stressed may have trouble settling down, pacing restlessly as they protect their territory and keep an eye out for any potential threats.

Note when a cat avoids human contact. Cats feeling overwhelmed may hide under the bed or in dark corners, retreating to escape what is causing them stress.

Watch for any changes in eating habits. Some stressed cats may lose their appetite, while others may start chewing on non-food items like fabric or towels.

Identify the source of stress in your cat. It’s important to pinpoint when and why the symptoms appear. This step helps you address the source of stress, whether physical, environmental, or psychological. The vet will also need to know when you noticed these signs.

Take your cat to the vet if health signs are affected. Many stress-related symptoms resemble those of illness. You need to determine whether your cat is unwell or just stressed (in some cases, illness can lead to stress).

Trim overly long nails to prevent discomfort for your cat. Sometimes, a simple solution like trimming your cat's nails can relieve stress caused by sharp claws digging into the pads of their paws.

Eliminate flea infestations. Fleas bite the skin, causing irritation, and if a cat ingests fleas, they can become infected with tapeworms. If your cat is persistently scratching, inspect the affected area. Use a flea comb and run it through the fur around their neck and tail: if you find small brown specks the size of a pinhead, it means your cat is infested with fleas. Additionally, white or black specks on the comb indicate flea eggs or dried blood. If fleas are found, you must eradicate them completely from both your cat and your home.

• For flea control on cats, consult with a veterinarian about an appropriate flea management plan.
• To manage fleas in your home, clean areas where your cat frequents, such as carpets and furniture, vacuum regularly, wash your cat's bedding weekly, and use safe sprays, powders, or foggers (follow the product instructions and ensure the treated areas are inaccessible to your cat as directed).

Lower the volume of any music. Cats have sensitive hearing, and loud noises like music, TV, or any other sound sources can be distressing for them.

• Comfort your cat if they are frightened by loud external noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms. Take them to a room or draw the curtains, turn on the TV or radio at a low volume, and provide a hiding place until the fear subsides.

Know when to comfort your cat. Some cats form deep bonds with their owners and benefit from companionship and comfort (like a cat seeking refuge with its owner during a thunderstorm: they feel safe by the scent of their human on the bed). However, a truly frightened cat will be so distressed that they won’t be able to accept calm and may perceive human intervention as a further threat.

• In general, if your cat retreats, growls, hisses, or swishes its tail, leave them be. On the other hand, enhance the safety of their hiding spot, such as covering the front of the box with a blanket so they can't see outside.

Provide a safe indoor space for cats. Lack of shelter can make cats feel stressed. Cats become anxious when they don't have a high perch to observe their surroundings or a dark hiding spot to retreat to. You can resolve this issue by placing a sturdy cardboard box in a quiet corner or installing a tall scratching post.

Create a calm and stable environment at home. Cats are highly sensitive to changes in their surroundings. While certain situations, like moving homes, are unavoidable, it’s important to maintain as much peace and quiet as possible. Arguments and yelling create stress not just for you, but also for your cat.

• If your home is undergoing renovations, pay extra attention to your cat and help them through this difficult period. Always provide hiding spots for them.

Avoid scolding your cat. Cats don’t understand the connection between being scolded or punished and their misbehavior. Such punishment only causes stress and fear.

• Instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Reward your cat with treats and praise every time they do something "good," like using the scratching post. Make sure to give the reward immediately: cats have short attention spans, and if the reward is delayed, they won't understand the reason behind it.

Encourage challenging activities for your cat. It's important to encourage your cat to engage in activities that burn energy, such as hunting or playing. This step is crucial for indoor cats who lack the psychological stimulation of outdoor activity. Additionally, making your cat physically tired helps release stress hormones and reduce anxiety, preventing excessive grooming.

• Hide treats or dry food around the house for your cat to find.
• Set aside at least three play sessions a day, each lasting 10 minutes. Use toys to get your cat to chase or scatter toys around the room. Cats enjoy stalking and pouncing.
• If you have multiple cats, ensure you spend time playing with each one individually in addition to group playtime.
• Provide a variety of toys for your cat. Offer a few toys at a time, and swap them out every few days to keep things interesting.

Provide alternative entertainment options. Place a bird feeder outside your window to entertain your cat, or consider buying an aquarium so they can watch the fish swim inside.

Minimize competition between cats in the household. If you have multiple cats, they may compete for food, water, litter boxes, and even attention. The rivalry can cause your cat to feel bullied. To reduce stress, you need to meet each cat's individual needs.

• Each cat should have its own litter box, plus an extra one to minimize competition for bathroom space. Clean the litter box daily, remove waste, and scrub it regularly with a mild dish soap or a diluted cleaning solution (1:30 ratio of cleaner to water).
• Place multiple food bowls around the house so no cat can monopolize the food for the entire day.

Prevent feral cats from coming near your home. Feral cats that appear in your garden or even inside your house (they might enter through a cat door!) can make your cat feel psychologically threatened.

• Keep feral cats away by removing any food that might attract them.
• If your cat runs outside, install a microchip-activated door to prevent feral cats from entering the house.
• If your cat is stressed from seeing a feral cat in the garden, you can block the bottom of the window to obstruct their view (similar to how cats bury their heads in the sand, this method can be surprisingly effective).

Consider using pheromones to help your cat feel happy. Female cats that are nursing release pheromones (chemical scents) that make kittens feel secure and content. Feliway is a synthetic product designed to mimic these cat pheromones.

• Spray Feliway in small amounts on your cat's bed or near doorways to mark the territory.
• Alternatively, you can buy a Feliway diffuser. The diffuser plugs into the electrical socket and releases low levels of pheromones into the air (harmless to humans!). Plug it into a spot where your cat spends a lot of time. It can take some time for the effects to become noticeable, so don’t expect immediate results. However, after a few weeks, you will see changes in your cat's behavior as they feel safer and more comfortable. Each diffuser lasts for four weeks, and you can replace it when needed.

Give your cat Zylkene. Zylkene is a nutraceutical supplement that positively impacts animals. It is not a medication, so it is safe and rarely causes side effects. The main ingredient in Zylkene is derived from milk protein and has a calming effect on the brain. It helps soothe your cat and reduce anxiety and stress.

• Zylkene is available over the counter in 75 mg soft capsules. Give your cat one 75 mg capsule daily, during or after meals. It may take a few days to see results, but if you don't notice any significant changes after seven days, it may not be effective for your cat.

Consult with a veterinarian about medications to help manage stress. If your cat is so stressed that it becomes ill, your vet may prescribe medication to help them through this difficult time. Some commonly used medications include diazepam, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine.

• These medications are not officially approved for use in cats because the manufacturers did not conduct studies on their effectiveness. However, there is evidence that they are safe for cats, and your veterinarian will discuss this option with you if they believe it is the best course of treatment.