Cats and stress

Most cats may appear to be very relaxed and laid-back animals, but sadly that’s not always the case. Cats can easily become stressed by many things, and it’s not always simply to figure out what that stressor is. Your cat’s stress may also be expressed differently; Some common stress symptoms to look out for are:

• Aggression towards other pets and people
• Urinating or defecating in inappropriate places
• Becoming more vocal
• Hiding or spending more time indoors or outdoors
• A reduced appetite, or they stop eating altogether

Some cats have a genetic predisposition for increased stress. Surprising for many is also the fact that even the most relaxed cats can develop stress; but still look calm and collected on the outside. Here are some triggers that can cause stress in cats…

Conflict with other felines in the house
A very common stress factor in cats is when they have a conflict with other cats in the house. Some cats like to have company, while others prefer to be the boss of the house. Just like us humans, cats don’t always get along with other members of their kind.

A new family member
To bring a new pet to the house can be very stressful to the feline, especially if the introduction of the new family member isn’t done properly. Cats are a highly territorial species, and they can feel threatened by other animals. Having new people in the family, like a baby or a partner, can also cause anxiety.

Lack of family members
When the cat’s master is not home, the feline can’t be sure if the person is just gone for the day or forever. Cats have the ability to form strong bonds with people and other animals. If the cats have made a special relationship to another animal in the house and that animal passes away, the cat will mourn the loss just as we humans do.

Environment changes
Cats can get worried if you make any big changes to their environment. They are creatures of habit, so changes to food, their litter box or their general surroundings with the introduction of new furniture can cause them additional anxiety. More obvious environment changes, such as renovating your house or moving to a new home, could be possible causes of stress for felines.

If your cat is stressed during a longer period of time, just like people, it can affect their health. There is also the risk of psychological diseases occurring. Give your feline plenty of attention and always proceed with care and caution when introducing her to new people, new pets, and new environments.

Read more about how to reduce stress in cats:
http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/stress_2.htm
http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/stressed/info.html
http://www.justanswer.com/questions/1f1ww-minimize-stress-cats