Cats are mewing mysteries. It’s hard to know exactly what they want or what their mood is, with one notable exception: when they’re feeling stressed, anxious, and nervous.
To find out if your cat is stressed, you just have to look at in his body language: The ears become flat, the eyes open wide and the pupils widen, the whiskers point forward…
There are other more subtle signs, but which, when added together, show that the pet is stressed: it eats and drinks less, it has trouble finding a place to sleep, avoids people (even if they are people from home) or wakes up at the slightest noise with his ears on alert.
What to do when your cat is stressed? To calm him down you will have to be very careful. patienceRegardless of which method you choose below, depending on how scared they are, cats may spend hours and hours anxious, fearing the arrival of danger.
Next, try some of these tips. However, if you notice that your cat is more stressed than usual or that nothing you do is working, Go to your vet trusted to find out what’s happening to you.
1. Keep him company but don’t overwhelm him
“People often think about how they like to be treated when they are stressed rather than thinking about what their cats really need,” explains Dilara Goksel Parry, a specialist in cat behavior, for PetMD. “Cats just need someone they trust to be physically present.” So don’t pick up your cat, pet him or give him too much cuddles because then you don’t give him space to calm down and he might scratch you. Just stay close to him so he can see you. If he wants to sit on your lap of his own free will, great, and if not, that’s fine too.
2. Create an anti-stress cat refuge
When a cat is nervous, it will often look for corners where it can calm down, knowing that there are no threats nearby. “Some cats like to hide or stay under something,” explains Ingrid Johnson, also a cat consultant. “Others prefer to be quiet in high places.” Johnson recommends offering both options: a vertical space like a cat tree and a more secluded space. “Be sure not to corner the cat, though. He should always have an alternative escape route.”
3. Place your utensils in your favorite corners
Cats have favorite rooms or corners while other rooms in the house can cause fear due to smells, noises or the feeling of having no escape routes. So if your cat hates the bathroom, don’t put the litter box or food there; put them in the places he frequents most. When he gets stressed, he’ll go to those places and will appreciate having everything he needs close by so he doesn’t have to move around too much while he recovers.
4. Let him mark his scent
“Cats can do a lot of things to calm themselves, like leaving their scent everywhere by rubbing themselves or marking with their paws,” she explains. Johnson. So in times of stress it’s important to let them spread their scent as much as possible. “It calms them down to know that they can do it.” If, for example, you bring your pet to your summer apartment, don’t scold him if he spends a long time rubbing himself against everything when he arrives. It helps him turn a strange place into a familiar and calm place.
5. Try calm music or white noise
Cats are particularly sensitive to loud noises. So if there’s construction going on in a nearby apartment, a baby won’t stop crying, or it’s a busy day, your cat may become stressed. This can be countered by using an alternative sound. “There’s not a lot of research yet on the connection between music and cats, but you can try some calm classical music or white noise and see how your cat responds,” explains Parry, a consultant. On Youtube you can find a lot of music theoretically designed to relax cats, you can take a look at it.
6. Dedicate daily playtime
This is more of a tip to prevent stress than to remedy it once it is occurring. Cats collect energy during the day and need to get it out. That is why they sometimes have those crazy moments where they run through the hallways, jump on the furniture, and or ambush the other felines in the houseYou can help your cat by playing with him. Laser pointers are a good option as long as you remember to let him catch his prey from time to time. Toys that hide food and invite the kittens to try their hand at it are also good, although pets prefer to play with others.
7. Use essential oils
In addition to their own scent, cats also often react positively to the aroma of certain oils. Specialist Ingrid Johnson recommends honeysuckle or lavender. “In veterinary clinics, when an aggressive cat comes in, It is common to place 2 drops of lavender oil on a towel to air out the room. “He calms down immediately.” Even a small amount can positively alter a cat’s behavior.
8. Consider a case of overactive thyroid
A cat’s nerves aren’t always caused by its behavior. If your pet is already a few years old, its anxious activity may be due to a case of overactive thyroidCats with this condition have an overactive thyroid gland, which controls their energy levels. So a cat with this condition has more bursts of energy, sleeps little, and eats a lot. Talk to your veterinarian about medication or possible surgery needed to help your pet.
9. Accompany him for a walk
You may find it strange, but there are cats that appreciate going out for walks just like dogs. Nicholas Dodman, a veterinarian specializing in animal behavior, explains that There are feline breeds that can become stressed by feeling too confined. Going outside can prevent these stress outbreaks, but it must be done safely. If you have a large garden, you can create an enclosed area that serves as a yard with no chance of escape or attack. Otherwise, you can buy cat harnesses and take your cat out for a walk.
10. Allow their behavior
Sometimes cats de-stress themselves by having 5 minutes of hyperactivity: they run, jump, sneak under the sofa, play catch or invite you to chase them…If it comes to activities like this, there is no need to calm the cat down,” explains Erin Wilson, a veterinarian. “It would be just as damaging as stopping children from playing and running.” What you want to stop is dangerous activities such as trying to jump from high places or climbing over ledges. When that happens, follow the steps above or create a distraction such as emptying a box for the cat to explore or inviting him to crawl under a cushion to get a treat.
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