When cats start avoiding the litter box, meowing incessantly or cowering under the sofa, most owners worry that something might be wrong. But if the vet can’t find any medical reason for a change in behavior, the problem just might be stress.
It’s important to recognize and deal with a stressed out cat, because it can cause other health problems if left untreated. When a cat becomes stressed, its body produces the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase the heart rate, increase blood sugar levels, and decrease the cat’s immunity to other diseases.
Recognizing the Stressed Out Cat
Litter box problems are one of the most common signs of kitty stress. Other symptoms include excessive shyness and hiding, vocalizing more than normal, loss of appetite, aggression, and territorial behaviors. Be careful, however, not to automatically presume that any of these symptoms are stress-related, since they can all be caused by other medical problems.
De-stress the Cat’s Environment
The basic cause of cat stress almost always stems from some change in routine. Cats are happiest when everything in their lives stays consistent.
The addition of new family members, whether human or feline, is one of the most common causes of cat stress. Even a strange animal prowling in the cats’ backyard, thereby invading the cat’s territory, can stress out kitty.