Mary Allen
Acute stress in cats is triggered, for example, by a shock, a dangerous situation, or a sudden change in the environment. However, your cat can also suffer from chronic stress. The symptoms of long-term stress are more subtle than in an acute stressful situation. However, with the following tips, you can recognize the signs and help your cat.
Caution! Stress can make your cat ill in the long run, and many stress symptoms can also point to existing illnesses. So if you observe one or more of the following signs in your cat, it is advisable to take a trip to the vet just to be on the safe side.
Symptoms of Cat Language in Acute Stress
The symptoms of acute stress make it quite clear that your cat is unsettled, perhaps even frightened. She freezes and makes herself very small, her entire body language suggesting withdrawal and heightened alertness at the same time—as if she’s scared. Look out for the following signs of stress:
- Freeze
- Crouched posture
- Legs bent, paws close to the body
- Tail curled
- Head down
- Eyes wide open, pupils dilated
- Ears laid back and folded back
- Whiskers are retracted
- Trembling and rapid breathing
- Hissing, growling or rumbling
- Whining, whimpering, or howling
- Uncontrolled urination or defecation
- Responds aggressively to advance attempts
At this point, stay calm, don’t get too close to your anxious cat, and consider what might have triggered the stress. Try to eliminate the stressful situation so that your furry friend can calm down again. Once your cat has calmed down, you can pet her and speak to her in a low, gentle voice to let her know everything is okay. Behave completely normally and calmly, otherwise, your kitty will think that something is wrong.
Altered Behavior Due To Chronic Stress
Chronic stress often causes a cat to develop behavioral problems. However, even subtle changes in behavior can be symptoms of something that has been bothering your cat for a long time. Chronic stress is also often a problem for cats in shelters, as they often don’t have enough opportunities to withdraw when needed. However, how prone cats are to stress also depends on their feline personality and their socialization. As with people, there are cats that are not shaken by almost anything and others that are very skittish and nervous. Good socialization through early familiarization with a variety of everyday stimuli such as vacuum cleaning, traffic, different people and encounters with other animals can help make cats more resistant to stress. It is also important not to separate kittens from their mother cat too early, as they can and must learn a lot from her.
If your cat exhibits the following symptoms and behavior problems, chronic stress may be the cause:
- Sudden loss of appetite or sudden gorging on food
- Hide and seek retreat, particularly in otherwise trusting cats
- Aggressiveness towards people or animals, especially in the case of otherwise gentle fur noses
- Attachment and a strong need for contact, especially in otherwise shy cats
- Increased need for sleep
- Uncleanliness, peeing, and defecation outside the litter box
- Grooming and hygiene are neglected
- Grooming and hygiene are exaggerated and come across as obsessive
- Increased alertness and jumpiness
- Outdoor cats suddenly stay more in the home, regardless of the weather
- The joy of playing decreases, listlessness, and lethargy
- Eating inedible things, pica syndrome
- Other behavioral changes and stereotyped behavior patterns
Taking the Cat to the Vet?
If your cat can be calmed down after acute stress and is back to normal the next day, then everything is fine and you usually don’t need to worry. However, if she still seems frightened or stressed the next day, a visit to the vet is a good idea to make sure she’s okay. The symptoms that indicate chronic stress can also be a sign of pain or illness. It may also be the pain of the illness that causes the stress. So always have your vet check up on any noticeable changes in behavior. If he cannot find a physical illness, consult a cat psychologist. It can help you and your catfight stress.