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Cat stress

Feline Stress Symptoms, Causes:

Believe it or not, your pets often experience severe stress, and just like humans, stress can take a toll on the health of cats too.



Minimizing stress on your cat can be extremely beneficial for your cat’s health. There are many reasons why your cat could be stressed. Our pets often form strong bonding with other pets in the house, and the death of one pet may cause severe stress to the other. In fact, if your cat is an adult, getting a new pet may cause it severe anxiety and stress.



Some of the most common causes of stress in cats include the arrival of a new baby, trauma caused by construction or loud noise, and changes in food or routine.

It is difficult to find out if your cat is stressed. Different cats have different ways of showing stress. Some cats may become reclusive; some may begin detesting physical activity.



Some cats become grievously ill because of anxiety and doctors may be unable to find anything physically wrong with them. Sometimes, a cat may become extremely aggressive when it is depressed. The most common sign of stress is when the cat avoids the litter box. If your cat has been suffering from any illness, anxiety can only make it worse. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with your cat’s stress.

Though it may seem that your cat has hardly any interest in your life and the household activities, the truth is that pets are extremely conscious of the family and the changes occurring around them. If there is the slightest form of disruption around them, it can have a very severe impact. Most often, these disruptions are extremely trivial to the other members of the household, but for the cats, these events are perceived as life changing, and therefore, considerable stress is experienced.

Cat Stress Treatments:


To minimize the stress caused due to changes in the environment around you, it is best to give your cat an area designed specially for it. If the cat has a cathouse or a specific area which is especially designated to it, the cat will only get affected by changes in that particular area. If your cat is already stressed, using aromatic oils and pheromone diffusers can help create a calming and congenial environment. However, before you try any product, you should consult a veterinarian to find out if there are possible side effects.

Most pets develop their own habits, and cats, in particular, are inclined towards predictability. Fix a time for your cat’s meal and follow this routine every day; this is one of the easiest means of creating a routine. A regular meal schedule also helps maintaining the weight of your cat, especially if it tends to overeat. No matter how busy you are, take some time out to spend with your cat. This time should be just for you and your cat. Inculcate this into your routine so that your cat never feels left out or unwanted.

 
  Submitted on February 10, 2010  
 
 
 

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