Despite their aloof demeanor, cats are sensitive creatures and can become anxious or stressed by changes in their environment or routine. While stress can result from a variety of factors, certain events can especially stress your feline, but you can help ensure their comfort by being aware of potentially stressful situations. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team shares three common cat stressors and tips that will calm them. 

Recognizing stress signs in cats

Recognizing feline stress can be challenging, because the signs are often subtle, but the problem can manifest in one or more of the following behavioral changes:

  • Eating — A stressed cat may eat significantly more or less than usual. 
  • Increased aggression — Stressed cats may exhibit uncharacteristic aggression, such as hissing, biting, or scratching. 
  • Excessive grooming — Stressed cats may overgroom or lick certain body areas excessively, which may result in hair loss or skin wounds.
  • Inappropriate elimination — Eliminating outside the litter box can be a sign of feline stress. 
  • Decreased socialization — Stressed cats may intentionally withdraw from social interactions and retreat to a secure, quiet area to avoid their stressor or to self-soothe.
  • Increased territory marking — A stressed cat may deposit their scent signature on household items by urine spraying, scratching, and facial rubbing. They are claiming their territory in response to perceived threats.

Many of these behaviors can also signal an underlying health condition. If you are concerned about your cat’s behavior changes, your veterinarian can perform a nose-to-tail examination to look for physical stress causes. They may also recommend diagnostic testing, such as blood work and a urinalysis, to accurately diagnose potential hidden diseases. Once they have ruled out a health condition, your veterinarian can help recommend stress-reducing strategies that will soothe your cat.  

Common cat stressors 

Cats naturally prefer order, routine, and familiarity, so any variation from their typical schedule can cause anxiety. Some of the most widely known feline stress causes include:

#1: Moving to a new house — Moving may be one of the most disruptive life

changes—for both humans and pets. Cats are averse to change, and moving day can be seriously stressful. New people, and favorite furniture and household items being moved and disappearing can cause stress for cats. But, you can reduce your cat’s moving-related stress by:

  • Maintaining their routine — Try to keep your cat’s routine as normal as possible leading up to the move, and introduce strange items, like moving boxes, to the home before you start packing. This helps create a new normal landscape for your cat and reduces the number of new stressors on moving day.
  • Use a cat carrier — Introduce your cat to their carrier a few weeks before the move. On moving day, keep your cat in the carrier while people are moving in and out of your current home, which will help them feel secure and ensure they don’t get loose. 
  • Let your cat explore slowly — At your new home, choose one room with familiar objects and furniture, ensure the room is secure, and let your cat out of their carrier to explore. Your cat will need time to settle in and feel comfortable, but their stress should subside over time.

#2: Introducing a new baby to your cat — The introduction of a new family member (e.g., a baby) can also significantly stress your cat, especially if you do not gradually and sensitively introduce the baby. The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition:

  • Go slowly — When your baby arrives home, your cat may be curious and fearful, so allow them to set the pace of the introduction and to control when and if they want to interact with the baby. The more your cat feels in control, the less stressed they will be.
  • Provide a safe space — Ensure your cat has a quiet, cozy retreat for times they become overwhelmed with the new situation. 
  • Stay positive — When your cat is ready, keep their interactions with the baby brief and positive, and always supervise interactions to ensure the baby and cat are safe.

#3: Introducing your cat to a new pet — A new pet’s arrival can be stressful for the resident cat, who may not want to share their territory initially.  The introduction of your cat to a new pet is crucial—follow these steps to help ensure you build a positive relationship:

  • Provide separate areas — When you first bring your new pet home, keep them in a separate room to allow each pet to get used to the other’s scents and presence without stressful face-to-face contact. 
  • Introduce pets slowly — After a few days, when the pets have adjusted to each other’s scent, start short, controlled introductions. Keep the new pet in a crate or behind a gate and allow your cat to approach on their terms. Never force an interaction, and gradually increase the time they spend together as their comfort levels increase. Also, keep them separate whenever you cannot supervise their interactions.
  • Use positive reinforcement — During introductions, reward both pets with treats and praise to create a positive association with each other’s presence.

Cats have many stressors—these are only a few of the most common. If you are concerned about your cat’s behavioral changes, contact our team at Creature Comfort Veterinary Service, so we can determine the cause and help resolve the situation.