Cats are sensitive creatures, and they are easily stressed. If your cat feels anxious, they can experience physical and psychological consequences, which can negatively affect their quality of life and lead to unwanted behavioral problems. Our Stanton Pet Hospital team wants your feline friend to be footloose and fancy-free, and we provide valuable information to help you understand and manage feline stress.

Feline stress causes

Cats are predator and prey animals, which makes them highly susceptible to stress. Numerous issues, including some that may seem insignificant to you, can cause your cat to become anxious, especially if your feline friend wasn’t properly socialized as a kitten. Potential stressors include:

  • Loud noises such as the vacuum cleaner or activated smoke detector
  • Change in family schedule (e.g., when the children go back to school)
  • Adopting a new pet
  • Welcoming a new baby
  • Construction in or around the home
  • Illness or pain
  • A dirty litter box
  • Inadequate resources (e.g., elevated resting places, scratching posts, toys)
  • Tension among household cats
  • Rearranging furniture
  • Boredom

Feline stress consequences

Stress can cause significant psychological strain on your cat. In addition, anxiety can also lead to health conditions such as:

  • Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) — FIC causes inflammation to the urinary bladder and urethra, and veterinarians associate the condition with a cat’s stress. Signs include straining to urinate, frequent urination, urinating outside the litter box, vocalizing while urinating, and blood in the urine.
  • Dermatologic conditions — Stress tends to exacerbate dermatologic conditions.
  • Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) — Many cats are exposed to FHV-1 as kittens, and stress can cause signs to recur.

Feline stress signs

Because seemingly insignificant issues can stress your cat, you may not realize they are feeling anxious. Your feline friend may be stressed if they exhibit any of the following signs:

  • Urinating inappropriately — Cats often try to communicate their displeasure by urinating outside the litter box. Don’t assume your cat is being spiteful if they suddenly begin urinating outside their litter box.
  • Hiding — If your usually social, affectionate cat starts hiding for long periods, stress may be to blame.
  • Decreased appetite — Stress may affect your cat’s appetite, and they may not finish their meal or be uninterested in treats.
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) changes — Feline stress can lead to GI issues such as diarrhea or constipation.
  • Overgrooming — In some cases, stressed cats overgroom one body part, leading to a bald patch or raw area.
  • Destructive scratching — If your cat feels stressed, they may use their claws on your furniture or curtains to attract your attention.
  • Aggressive behavior — Stress may cause your typically friendly cat to lash out aggressively toward you or other household pets.

Feline stress prevention

You can’t make your cat’s life completely stress-free. However, to help reduce your whiskered pal’s stress levels, follow these tips:

  • Scheduling regular wellness examinations — During your cat’s annual or biannual wellness exams, our Stanton Pet Hospital team can detect conditions that may cause your feline friend illness or pain in the early stages, before they lead to stress.
  • Making a veterinary appointment — If your cat starts urinating outside the litter box or exhibiting other signs that could be stress-related, make a veterinary appointment, so we can determine if a health issue is contributing to the problem.
  • Ensuring your cat’s litter box setup is appropriate — Cats are particular about their litter box and may get stressed if they are displeased with the setup. To help prevent your cat from urinating in inappropriate spots, follow these litter box setup tips:
    • Scoop the litter at least twice per day and replace the litter at least once per week.
    • Place the litter box in a convenient area where your cat won’t be disturbed.
    • Provide at least one litter box for every cat in your home, plus one extra.
    • Ensure the litter box is large enough so your cat can easily turn around.
    • Use unscented, clumpable litter.

  • Providing appropriate resources — Cats have an instinctive need to scratch, and they prefer perusing their territory from an elevated position. Ensure every cat in your home has access to scratching posts that meet their scratching preferences, as well as adequate vertical spaces.
  • Exercising your cat — Cats need daily exercise to stay fit and healthy. Use a wand-style toy or laser pointer to encourage your cat to run and jump, and try to provide five-minute high-intensity play sessions three to four times every day.
  • Providing mental stimulation — Cats need mental stimulation to prevent boredom, which can lead to stress. Tips include:
    • Use interactive toys and rotate them every two to three weeks.
    • Feed your feline friend using a food puzzle toy to make them use brain power to obtain their meal.
    • Hide treats around your home to help encourage your cat to use their hunting instincts.
    • Place a bird feeder outside your feline friend’s favorite window perch.
    • Play videos that include birds and small animals for your cat to watch.
  • Making proper introductions — If you adopt a new pet, introduce them to your cat appropriately to help make the relationship successful. This is a gradual process that may take several weeks. If either pet exhibits aggression, the process should be slowed. Steps include:
    • Confine the new pet to a designated room that has everything they need.
    • Feed your cat and the new pet on either side of the closed door.
    • Exchange your cat’s and new pet’s bedding.
    • Introduce your cat and new pet through a safe barrier.
    • Allow your cat and new pet to interact with supervision.

Feline stress is common, but you can take steps to reduce the effects on your cat. If your cat is exhibiting stress signs, contact our Stanton Pet Hospital team, so we can rule out a health condition and help remedy your whiskered pal’s problem.