How to Spot and Treat Anxiety in your Cat
The type of behaviours we are used to from our cats reaches a wide range. Just because they tend to display more chaotic behaviour than other animals doesn't necessarily mean they are experiencing anxiety.
So between the zoomies and the attention MEOWS, it can be hard to tell. But if your cat experiences more jitters than normal, random sporadic behaviour that's difficult to control, or is clawing just a bit too much. You may be dealing with an anxious kitty.
Anxiety or Normal Behaviour?
The most difficult part of anxiety in your cat is differentiating between normal behaviour and anxious behaviour. Once you notice the difference, it will be easy to spot how your furry friend is acting.
Anxious Cats are more jittery than usual
Cats are known for their unpredictable behaviour, especially when feeling extra playful. But if you notice your cat is jumping at different sounds around the house that never bothered them before, or they fall more quickly into defence mode. This may mean your cat is dealing with stress and anxiety. This can be due to a traumatic experience or a newly perceived threat that keeps them on their paws.
Grooming in excess
One sign that your cat has anxiety is how they are grooming themselves. It is natural for cats to pam-purr their fur daily to maintain a healthy, shiny coat. But some cats with anxiety will groom themselves so much that they start to experience hair loss.
Urinating outside of the litter box
Cats dealing with depression and anxiety tend to do their business outside the litter box. This can be due to increased territorial behaviour or failure to care enough to reach the litter box.
Increased vocalization
Your little furry friend can't speak as we do, but they know how to vocalize themselves fairly well. While some cats are naturally much more vocal than others, a sudden increase in this behaviour can indicate signs of anxiety.
Trembling, Pacing, or Restlessness
When a cat is stressed, they will often mimic behaviors that we see in people. They can sometimes pace back and forth across the room for long periods. Some cats will tremble as if they are in a state of fear or severely cold while sitting in one place. This can show signs that they are on high alert and unable to keep calm in their environment.
Treating Anxiety
Many solutions can help a distressed or anxious kitty get back on track. While these solutions are not always permanent for cats with anxiety disorders or those who have experienced trauma, it is a great start. So lets figure out a healthy a-purr-roach to your cats anxiety! One of the best things you can do for your cat is to give them reassurance.
This can come from physical affection or just stimulating their environment enough to know they are welcome. Some cats love cat scratchers to keep their claws sharp and mark their territory. Other cats just need a little extra downtime to relax and recover from stress. This can be provided in cosy places around the house, like this Cat Cave Deep Sleeping Bed, allowing personal space to calm down.
For cats with a hard time relaxing, especially those with grooming troubles, you can offer them some calming attention while gently massaging their fur with the Hair Removal Massage Comb.
Conclusion
Cats can suffer from anxiety for various reasons. All you want to do is take care of them as best you can in these moments. Offer your cat their own space and lots of toys to keep them stimulated in their environment.
Shower them with love, affection, and reassurance, and you can help manage their anxieties. These are just a few ways to help cure and even prevent anxiety in cats. Your cat will be feline-fine in no time with your help and guidance.
