How to Treat a Stressed Cat

The first thing you should know is how to identify a stressed cat and though you may not believe it, there are some very common manifestations that will guide us about the health of our cat and give us some signs. If you think your cat may suffer from stress, do not hesitate to ask for help from your veterinarian.

Common symptoms of cats under stress include:

• Territorial marking, both urine and scratches, sometimes despite being castrated.
• Changes in appetite, from anorexia to binge eating.
• Aggressiveness.
• Changes in the fur such as excessive hair loss, balding or even pulling out their fur themselves.
• Elusive character, hiding away and shying away from contact.
• Constant meowing.
• Hyperactivity and nervousness.
• Doing their business outside the litter tray.

Other physical manifestations of stressed cats are various health problems:

• Frequent diarrhea.
• Tremors.
• Vomiting.
• Dilated pupils.
• Idiopathic interstitial cystitis.
• Recurrent infections.
• Skin problems.
• Asthma.

Stressed cats also often look different to a healthy cat. Generally their ears droop, they have a sad and haggard expression, their tail is down and they seem scared. Precisely because these symptoms may be typical of other diseases it is very important to consult your veterinarian to rule out other conditions.

The best way to prevent stress in cats is to get them used to socialize as kittens, this way they'll become accustomed to the presence of other humans and animals. Remember that just the presence of other cats and rivalries that occur between them is one of the main reasons for cats to become stressed.

It is essential to avoid sudden changes in routine such as travel, many cats in the same house or too many visitors. Cats are very stuck in their ways and varying their routine will end up making them anxious. Therefore it is necessary that you respect their times and their habits, and if they are of a negative nature, they can be altered with patience and education.

Giving them an adequate space that is as spacious and as comfortable as possible, which can be isolated when needed will give your pet room to breathe and relax for a while. As a cat owner you should put yourself in their shoes and think like a cat because cats need their moments, and even if they are loving, we must also respect when the animal wants to be alone and out of sight.

To treat a stressed cat, you can also provide your friend with toys that can entertain it and cat scratching posts to help them release tension and mark on an appropriate object. Do not leave them alone for long periods, because they are animals who yearn for their owners. If despite all these practices, your pet does not improve, you should consult your veterinarian about the possibility of a drug treatment.

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