Anxiety in Cats

Your cat might not be fretting about what’s going on in the world or increasing weekly food bills, but that doesn’t mean they can’t experience anxiety or stress. Sure, it’s pretty normal for a cat to be anxious about a vet visit when they spot their cat carrier but anxiety issues can run deeper than that.

Learn more about signs of anxiety in your cat and how to address them, for a happier, calmer cat.

Why do cats get anxious?

Cats are biologically programmed to be anxious because they’re both predator and prey on the food chain, which leads to a tendency to be stressed - no cat wants to end up as something else’s dinner, let’s be honest.

Cats get anxious for a range of reasons. But it’s mainly because they’re creatures of habit so they can find changes, both big and small, to their routine and life upsetting. These might be small changes like moving the furniture around or a short bout of illness in them or their family. Or they might be big changes, like moving home, a death, or the addition of a new family member, including another pet.

Changes affect your cat’s world and their sense of security. Any change, however small it seems, can cause anxiety, stress and insecurity. These in turn can cause behavioural changes in your cat, or even illness. It’s important that rather than self-diagnosing your cat as anxious, you take them to the vet if you notice different behaviour or if they seem unwell. This will rule out any underlying health conditions.

Signs of an anxious cat and what to do

Although your cat can’t tell you that they’re feeling anxious, they can (and will) show you. Here’s what to look for and some tips that may help.

• • • Hiding. If your cat hides a lot and tries to avoid human contact, that’s normally a sign of anxiety or stress, or that they’re feeling threatened or ill. You can help by first taking them to the vet to rule out any medical problems. Then try making a safe place for your cat. It should be in a quiet, calm spot and give them the opportunity to hide - like a cuddly cave or a bed with high sides for a sense of security. Then you can work on play sessions and enticing your cat to engage with you. Stock up on treats, including catnip, and fun toys so your cat will find it hard to resist spending time with you. They’ll also start to positively associate you with good things.
    • Not using their litter tray. It’s not the cleanest communication method, but it’s effective. A stressed or ill cat might try to communicate with you by going to the toilet in front of you or in a highly visible place, like your bed or the sofa. It’s a good idea to visit the vet to check for any health concerns first. You can fix litter tray problems by always keeping it clean, ensuring each cat has their own litter tray, and making sure their litter tray is the right size for them.
    • Eating more or less than usual. An anxious cat might not eat as much as usual. They might also be fussier than usual, refusing food they’ve previously enjoyed. Or, they might eat much more than they usually do, vocalise for more food, or hang around the kitchen all day. Think about whether you’ve recently changed their diet (remember cats don’t like change!). If so, you’ll need to introduce the new food slowly, mixing it with their existing. Cats who stop eating, even for a day or two, can get very ill very quickly especially if they’re very young or old. Take them to the vet if they stop eating. If they want to overeat, they might be bored. Give them an outlet for their energy by using puzzle toys and slow feeders including lick mats stuffed with treats and their favourite foods. Also get them moving with toys like wands or pieces of rope dragged across the floor.
    • Vocalising more. You might notice your cat making a lot more noise, especially as your cat ages and starts to experience new discomfort, like senility and confusion, which can cause anxiety and stress. Your vet should first rule out any medical issues. Then you can try natural calming remedies, a quiet and safe sleeping spot, age-appropriate furniture and cat scratchers that they can easily navigate, regular play sessions to keep them on their toes mentally and physically, and food that’s tailored to their senior age.
    • Increased aggression. A cat that becomes suddenly more aggressive is trying to tell you something. Get a clean bill of health first from the vet, then look to see what’s happened in your household that might be making them anxious. New pet or human joined the home? Try some calming care and pile on the love and affection. Regular reassurances from you, regardless of what’s changing at home, will help them feel like you’re always there for them. Whatever change has happened, a cat can become aggressive because they feel like they or their environment is being threatened. Work on figuring out what’s changed, help your cat de-stress and then help them adjust to the new normal.

How to avoid anxiety in cats

Like stress in the human world, it’s not possible to remove all stress and anxiety from your cat’s world. But you can help your cat deal with anxiety by trying the following things:

• Get to know your cat and their unique personality. This will help you understand what makes them happy (and what doesn’t). You can read a bit more on kitten/cat temperaments here.
• Enjoy daily one-on-one time with your cat with a dedicated play and snuggle session that will ensure they’ll feel loved, safe and secure.
• Ensure they get plenty of playtime and attention, which will help ward off boredom which can be a stressor.
  Take them for regular vet check ups so you’re always aware of what’s going on with them physically. This includes keeping up with their regular flea and worm treatments.
• Make changes gradually. New family member? Slowly introduce your cat to their new cat playmate or the new baby. If you’re moving home, do it over a few weeks and box things up slowly, giving your cat plenty of time to explore and play with the boxes. Make sure they’ve got a safe, quiet room to rest in, complete with their favourite bed and toys, in your new home before giving them the run of it.
• Consider investing in cat anxiety and calming products for extra support, especially during stressful situations like Guy Fawkes/fireworks night.

We hope this article helps your cat become calmer and less anxious. If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.

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