| Even if he does not have problems with traffic jams, an overwhelmed e-mail inbox or an annoyed boss, kitty can just like humans be a victim of stress. The explanation is both individual (some cats are more anxious than others) and natural, stress being vital for cats living in the wild. But for domestic cats, stress is not to be taken lightly. It can lead to behavioural or health problems if it is not properly treated. |
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Signs that show that your cat is stressedUnlike his dog colleagues, kitty generally tends to remain very discreet when he has health problems. To detect any stress, it will be necessary to observe him properly.Some signs can alert you to a state of anxiety. Any change in behaviour is suspicious : for example, if overnight your feline begins to hide, meow more often or become aggressive with the animals or humans surrounding him. On the other hand, lack of cleanliness, excessive cleansing, or food disruption (loss of appetite or bulimia) are also potential symptoms of stress for a cat. Careful: these changes in behaviour can also sometimes hide another disease. In any case, it is better to check with his veterinarian. |
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Different causes of stress for felinesIf you suspect your cat is stressed, first try to define the origin of his trouble. This is not always easy, because for felines the causes of anxiety are multiple. Often, however, they can be linked to a change in routine or environment : moving, new family member (baby or other domestic animal) or death, new furniture or moving some objects …Other disruptive elements can also prevent Kitty from remaining zen: an excess of noise or agitation around him, having to share a territory that is too restricted with other cats, or the fear of running out of food . Hopefully this is not your case, but also know that some cats can be disturbed when their owner is often absent, when his diary is chaotic or even when he is himself too stressed. |
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What solutions to adopt ?If you have successfully determined your cat’s source of stress, the ideal scenario will be to eliminate it. But this is not always possible (in the case of the arrival of a baby or a move, for example, which can nevertheless be prepared). In any case, an improvement in the environment for your feline will always be beneficial. You can for example rearrange your decoration so that it fits better to the needs of your cat. Also take a moment to spend more time with him, to play or cuddle.In some cases, the use of stress treatments will also be a solution (you will need to consult your veterinarian). Besides medicines, natural remedies or dietary supplements (pheromones, homeopathy, plant extracts, etc.) can also make it possible to fight effectively against stress. |
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All your efforts will never ensure a life free of stress to your cat, and that is not the goal. The goal is to ensure that his state of anxiety does not become chronic and/or degenerates into an illness. Taking care of kitty will also be beneficial for you, thanks to "purring therapy". It has indeed been proven that for humans, having a cat helps to soothe and reduce stress ! |
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Your cat is stressed if…
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Categories :
Cat life