What can cause stress in a cat?
Cats are sensitive to stress, like humans. The manifestations of this stress are varied but are easily observable by an attentive master. Faced with these symptoms, it is important to react quickly so as not to leave your pet in distress. We will see what these sources of stress can be in cats.
What are the symptoms of stress in cats?
The manifestations of stress in cats primarily concern cleanliness: excessive or insufficient toilets, urine marking in the housing. Then, it is necessary to regularly monitor food intake: any increase or decrease in rations must alert. Finally, cats also express themselves through their meowing, scratching and physical activity. Your pet should not remain inactive for too long without arousing your curiosity. Similarly, a suddenly aggressive cat is bound to react to something. It's up to you to find out what is the cause cat's stress.
What are the sources of stress in cats?
The environment
A change in his place of life, either because you have moved or because you have changed the location of the furniture, can worry your cat. Similarly, odors are sometimes very intrusive for these animals endowed with a very good sense of smell. So try to use the same household products each time.
Surroundings
A new person coming to settle in the house, a new child in the family, or a new animal in the home will require a short period of adaptation from your cat to accept this stranger on its territory. The more or less long absence of a member of his family can also worry him.
The noise
Again, just like humans, very loud or unusual noises are a source of stress for your cat. Work at your house or on the street will almost certainly trigger reactions in him. Then try to isolate him from the noise to preserve his psychological balance, but also his hearing.
Lifestyle habits
Your cat is used to a certain rhythm of life. He knows what time he has to eat and when you have to come back from work. Daily routines reassure him. This is why a change of schedule can disrupt it.
The food
When he is used to a certain brand of kibble, or mash, it is better not to change it too suddenly at the risk of seeing a categorical refusal to touch it by your cat. Gradual change will be much more accepted.
Disease
If you do not notice any change among those mentioned above, or if your cat has other symptoms, you must quickly take him to the veterinarian. Pain is a major stressor. in the cat. In addition, behavioral abnormalities can also be mistakenly attributed to simple stress and actually reflect a more serious pathology. Always listen to your pet for the slightest change in behavior.
The causes of cat stress cannot always be eliminated even when they have been clearly identified. In this case, food supplements can help your stressed cat cope.