Recognizing Cat Stress: Key Signs & How to Help Your Feline

Cat is stressed

We all have moments of stress and turmoil in our lives. Our feline friends are no exception. Unfortunately, they are good at hiding their feelings from us. What is worse, if they are stressed, it could be a sign from an underlying condition. So, how to know if a cat is stressed?

Fortunately for us, there are several signs you can look at that will help you determine if your cat is stressed. Also, there are signs particular to your cat that you, as his master, must know about.

Causes of stress in cats

Let’s first go over some of the things that might be causing your kittie to go upset:

• A dirty cat litter box
• A new family member – animal or human
• Changes in their type or cat food
• Loud sounds like fireworks or very loud music
• Home renovations
• An animal passing by or walking around the house
• Not able to find a secure area inside the house

How to know if a cat is stressed

The amount of stress a cat experiences or the way he does varies among cats. Cats do not show the same signs of stress and in some cases, they can easily go unnoticeable. For example, if your cat tends to hide a lot, it is hard to tell if he is under stress.

Some of the most common signs of stress in cats that can help you with how to know if a cat is stressed are:

• Cat diarrhea or constipation
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Hiding or isolating in excess
• Sleeping a lot more
• Excessive grooming or scratching
• Decreased appetite or no appetite at all
• Aggression towards people and other animals

As you can see, signs are mostly about abnormal bowel movements and excess of certain normal behaviors. If you have detected the cause of stress, try to work it off. Spend some more time playing with your cat. Take him to the vet if you suspect there is a medical condition stressing him out.

For more tips and advice on how to better care for your cat, visit us in Dogalize. We have tons of resources for you to become the best owner you can be.