Behavior changes, such as grumpiness, playing less often, or hiding more.Īffected cats may show just 1-2 symptoms, or several.Signs of aggression, such as growling, hissing, spitting, or trying to scratch or bite.Pupils (black part of the eyes) expanding.Making themselves appear as small as possible.Here are some common symptoms of stress or fear in cats: But once you know what to look for, it may be easier to spot a potential problem in the early stages. How Do I Know If My Cat Is Stressed?Ĭat communication often appears subtle to human beings. In cats prone to this condition, stress can bring on a flare up that requires veterinary treatment. A common example is cats with interstitial cystitis, an inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder. This is especially true for cats whose stress manifests in physical symptoms. Kitties who fall into this chronic stress category may benefit from long-term medications. Or, a cat may have general anxiety due to their personality type or a previous trauma. For example, maybe an older cat is unhappy about a new kitten housemate. There are also some pets who struggle with long-term anxiety. They can also keep a cat happier by making a potentially stressful situation much more comfortable for a feline. Sedation or anxiety-reducing medications can help prevent both of these scenarios. Or, they may bite, scratch, or injure a human. But if a kitty’s stress is severe, they may try to escape the situation and end up becoming lost or injured in their panic. In some short-term situations - such as during a veterinary visit, while trying to trim mats out of the fur, or loud fireworks - a reasonable amount of anxiety is expected. Anxiety in cats can even contribute to physical illness.īelow we discuss common situations when cat sedatives may be helpful, and how to use them safely and effectively. With severe or long-term stress, quality of life can be impacted. This can lead to a variety of issues, including inability to perform a veterinary exam or grooming. Even the calmest of cats may feel stressed, nervous, or fearful in certain situations.
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