Stressed Out Cat? The Top 5 Cat Stressors

As humans we get stressed out all the time, for different reasons. Well, did you know that your cat gets stressed out too? They do. The difference is when we get stressed out we cope with it differently. Cats react with all those behaviors we dread, like cat scratching, potty problems, aggression, and fear. To avoid these many unpleasant situations here's the things you should know to avoid so your cat doesn't stress out.

#1: Routine Change

Cats are creatures of habit. They enjoy a set daily routine. It gives them comfort. The less change there is throughout the day the more secure your cat feels. They always know what to expect. To avoid bad behavior, you could never change your routine, or a better less boring way to cope with this situation is to change up your routine from day to day. This is so your cat doesn't get used to anything, and therefore can not stress over it.

#2: Changing Homes

When you move you and your cat to a new home, you're both moving into a completely new environment. While this may be a great change of pace for you, it can be very frightening and stressful for your cat. If you are going to be moving soon, take your cat's litter box, toys, food and water, and bed or crate and put it all in a room with them so that they can have a safe haven from which they can explore the rest of the house at their leisure.

#3: A New Addition to the Family A new family member whether they be human or animal can stress out your cat. When someone new moves in, let your cat get used to the idea. Don't force them to socialize with the new member. They will move at their own pace. If you push them they will associate that new member with fear and stress, and you don't want to do that.

#4: Get-togethers

As most cat owners can attest, their cats are nowhere to be found during big parties or during the holidays when they have their friends and family at their house. If your cat is stressed out by such occasions, you should provide them with a place that they can hide, such as an extra bedroom or in the basement; just make sure they have access to their food, water, and litter pan, as well as a nice place to sleep.

#5: Staring Out the Window

As most cat owners know, cats love to perch on the windowsill and watch the world go by. However, this can be a stressful activity. Anytime a dog or another cat come onto your property your cat can get territorial, and stressed out. So if your cat is showing some misplaced aggression, this could very well be the reason.

All you really have to remember is that your cat is subject to stress just like you and that their stressors are things that you perceive as harmless. Likewise, your cat probably would perceive your stressors as harmless if they had any concept of the idea. As long as you remain perceptive about your cat's needs, you can keep them stress-free.

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-Kathrynn Kelley