Mary Allen
If cats are very shy or extremely aggressive, very few owners think of an anxiety disorder. Distinguishing certain character traits from real anxiety behavior is not always easy. Watch out for the following symptoms in your cat and, if in doubt, seek advice from a cat psychologist.
Is it already an anxiety disorder when cats hide in the farthest corner when you have visitors or snarl at any stranger who approaches them? Not necessarily, because fear of a specific stimulus only becomes a disturbance when fear determines the cat’s entire behavior.
Body Language of Fearful Cats
Cats that are scared always behave in the same way: Depending on the cat’s personality, they react by fleeing or withdrawing or with aggression. The aggressive behavior is then not a sign of a “bitchy” or “strong character” cat, but a form of defense through the attack. Anxious or frightened cats usually flatten their ears against their heads, arch their backs, ruffle their fur, hiss, growl, or scream. Some fur noses make themselves very small, crouch, and bend their legs. Trembling, mouth breathing, or lip licking are also possible. However, you can also recognize fear or anxiety if the cat suddenly runs away and hides.
Fear or Anxiety Disorder? Recognize Difference
If your cat is normally balanced but gets frightened by a crying child or a New Year’s Eve party, that’s perfectly normal – she’s just frightened. After a while, the shock is over and the kitty calms down again. An anxiety disorder, on the other hand, can be recognized by the fact that the cat will not calm down again, but that its insecure behavior is getting worse and occurs without any visible reason. The threat felt by the cat is vague, there seems to be no specific reason for its behavior.
In the case of an anxiety disorder, the cat is overwhelmed by the perceived threat, and fear determines its life and perception. Some cats with an anxiety disorder develop behavior problems, such as being unclean, because they don’t know what to do with themselves. Some become withdrawn, suffer from loss of appetite, or do not dare to come out of hiding at all. Then at the latest, you should consider whether a cat psychologist can help you.