Hey there, fellow cat lovers! Boop here, ready to dive into a topic that affects many of our feline friends: cat anxiety. It's a common problem, and understanding it is the first step to helping your kitty feel better.
What is cat anxiety?
Cat anxiety is basically when your cat anticipates danger or a threat, even if there isn't one actually present. The anticipation of danger causes bodily reactions and behavioral changes, This can lead to both physical and emotional distress for your furry pal. Recognizing cat anxiety is key to providing the right support.
Signs of Cat Anxiety
It's not always obvious when your cat is anxious. They can't just tell you what's wrong! But, there are signs to watch out for.
Mild Signs of Cat Anxiety
These are the subtle clues:
Avoiding eye contact
Shifting their body or head away from you
Holding their tail close to their body
Slight tail flicking
Partially dilated pupils
Moderate Signs of Cat Anxiety
If their anxiety is a bit stronger, you might see:
Ears partially to the side
Increased dilation of the pupils
Increased respiratory rate (faster breathing)
Looking intently at whatever is stressing them out
Holding their tail tight against their body
Crouching and leaning away
Severe Signs of Cat Anxiety
This is when your cat is in serious distress:
Trying to escape or completely freezing in place
Fully dilated pupils
Holding their ears back
Hair standing up (like they're puffed up)
Staring intensely
Aggression (hissing, swatting, biting)
What to Do When Your Cat Is Anxious or Scared
Okay, so you've spotted some signs of cat anxiety. What now?
Try Comforting Your Cat
If your cat is moderately or severely scared, it's okay to try and comfort them. Contrary to what some people believe, you're not rewarding their fear.
Never Punish Your Cat
This is super important: absolutely never punish your cat for anxious behavior. It will only make things worse and can even lead to aggression. That means no yelling, no squirting with water, nothing like that.
Don’t Try to Confine Them
Don't force your cat into a carrier or small space when they're anxious. Some cats panic when confined. They might hurt themselves trying to escape.
Causes of Cat Anxiety
Lots of things can trigger cat anxiety. Here are some common ones:
Illness or Physical Pain
Any kind of illness or pain can contribute to or worsen anxiety. So, a vet check is always a good first step!
Trauma
A scary experience can definitely lead to lasting anxiety. What might not seem like a big deal to you could be traumatic for your cat.
Improper Socialization
Kittens who don't get enough positive social and environmental exposure between 7 and 12 weeks of age may become fearful or anxious later in life.
Being Separated From You (Separation Anxiety)
Some cats get really stressed when they're left alone. This is more common if they've been rehomed, are used to having someone around all the time, or only have one main person they're attached to. Cat separation anxiety occurs when your feline companion feels fearful in the absence of familiar people or pets in your home.
How Do Vets Determine the Cause of Cat Anxiety?
Your vet will start by ruling out any underlying medical issues with a thorough physical exam, blood tests, and urine tests. According to Dr. Krista A. Sirois, DVM, they’ll also want to know your cat's history and see videos of the anxious behavior. This helps them pinpoint the triggers if it's not a medical problem.
How Do You Treat Anxiety in Cats?
Treating cat anxiety often involves a mix of things. Management of environment, supplements or medications, and behavior modification techniques.
Managing Cat Anxiety
This means trying to avoid whatever triggers your cat's fear. If they're scared of strangers, don't force them to be around new people. If loud noises stress them out, try to create a quiet, safe space for them. A nervous cat may react to both external and internal, or psychological, triggers. Some common causes of cat anxiety might be: Loud noises (including, but not limited to, hairdryers, vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers), New people or pets added to the family, Special events, such as parties, fireworks or sports games, Changes to their environment or routine and Water.
Cat Anxiety Medicine
Your vet might prescribe medication to help calm your cat. Antidepressants can change your cat’s brain chemistry to reduce their stress. Medications can be long acting (like antidepressants) or shorter acting (to use before a stressful event, like a vet visit).
Behavior Modification to Relieve Cat Anxiety
This involves teaching your cat coping skills to use in different situations.
Desensitization
This is about gradually exposing your cat to the thing they're afraid of at a very low level, so they don't get stressed. For example, if they're scared of thunder, you might play a recording of thunder very quietly and slowly increase the volume over time. Remember that desensitization does not mean exposing the cat to the frightening stimulus repeatedly and expecting their fear to suddenly resolve. This approach only makes your cat worse.
Counterconditioning
This is about changing your cat's emotional response to something from negative to positive. For example, giving your cat a treat every time they see the dog they're scared of, so they start to associate the dog with something good.
Comments