How To Calm a Stressed Cat Down

Is your Cat showing signs of being stressed out?

Do you want to calm your Cat down or learn how to de-stress your Cat?

Then you might be wondering:

“How do I calm my stressed Cat Down?”

Not to worry.

Because in this article I’m going to show you the different ways that you can use to calm your Stressed out Cat down.

First we’ll talk about the signs of a stressed out Cat

Then I’ll show you ways of helping your Cat feel relaxed and calm.

So let’s dive in…

Just as humans get stressed out, our little feline friend can get stressed out too.

Truth is, Cats can easily get stressed out and this can cause your Cat to urinate inappropriately.

And we Cat parents can agree this can be the most frustrating problem we can ever face!

So now if you find puddles on rugs or on furniture then that could be a result of a stressed out Cat.

Did you also know that stress can cause a physical condition too?

It’s called interstitial cystitis which can occur in your Cat.

So what is  interstitial cystitis?

Although it may not be completely understood, it appears to affect the nerves that is connected to the bladder which can make your Cat lose control hence the reason they may urinate other than the litter box.

So look:

First and foremost it is important to rule out any medical Conditions by visiting the Vets.

Now, let’s see what are the signs of a Stressed out Cat

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Stressed signs to look out for in your Cat

Spraying

Spraying can be the most common sign of stress in your Cat. Spraying is normal for Cats.

They spray to mark their territory or to make a sexual announcement. if this is done in the house then it is usually stress related. Spayed Female and Male Cats will spray.

Litter box avoidance

It can be very frustrating when your Cat decides they don’t want to use the litter box and instead urinate on your brand new Carpet, or leave a little surprise for you in your cupboard.

Well, this my fellow Cat parent is a sign of Stress. Just a small advice, don’t punish your Cat if this does occurs.

If your Cat is avoiding the litter box which is a common problem then you should definitely check out Cat Spraying No More.  

It’s a awesome guide on helping your Cat use the litter box permanently and all the other reasons why your Cat may be avoiding it.

I personally bought Cat Spraying No More and boy it’s the best decision I have ever made. It really is a big help for us Cat Parents.

You can check out my in depth review by clicking here

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Excessive Grooming

If you notice your Cat starting to over-groom then this is another sign of stress in your Cat. This is a hard one to recognize because a Cat would spend around 30% of their life grooming themselves.

They are very clean animals so you just have to keep an eye out on this one. One way to find out if your Cat is grooming themselves more than they need to is if their fur starts to fall out and their are patches in the skin.

You can learn more about over grooming by clicking here 

Aggression

If your Cat has started to behave in a aggressive way all of a sudden then this can be a sign of stress. Your Cat will make it’s body as huge as possible to scare people off.

Loss Of Appetite

When your Cat starts being fussy and not eating and he basically has lost his appetite then this is a sign in stress in your Cat. You should keep an eye of our Cats eating habits.

Before you decide it’s stress it’s important to visit the vet to rule out any medical conditions

And other signs to keep an eye out for is

• Hiding from you and other family members
• Not getting along with other Cats in the household
• Not interacting with family

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What Causes Stress To Your Cat And How To Reduce It

Cats are not just only intelligent but they are sensitive too.

This is why they could get stressed very easily.

So let’s see what causes the stress in your Cat:

Environmental Change

Cause

When you make changes to the environment your Cat is in then this is rarely appreciated by your Cat.

For example, adding new couches to the house, removing old things, or even remodeling the house. These changes have a negative effect to your Cat.

You see, Cats love things the way they are and pretty much hate change (Just like me to be honest!)

Solution

If you need to make changes to the house then do so but gradually as this will help reduce the stress in your Cat. If a new baby is expected (Congratulations if this is the case!) then set up your baby’s room in advance by adding new furniture again gradually.

If you are moving homes then don’t let your Cat be involved in the packing and unpacking or repairing. Let your Cat explore this new home on his own terms and get used to it.

The other thing you can do is give your Cat lots of attention. Play with him, cuddle him, stroke him, let sleep on your lap, just show him some affection! This will make it easier for your Cat to cope with the changes

A New Cat or Family Member

Cause

When a new pet is introduced to the family whether it’s a dog or Cat, this can be a very challenging time for your Cat because remember Cats are very territorial.

This can lead to stress and spraying in the house marking his territory. The same can be applied with an introduction of a new baby or mother in law.

Solution

When introducing a new Cat or dog then the best way you can do this is by introducing them gradually. Create a separate room for the new Cat.

Let your Cat get used to the new smell and noise and introduce them later. Do remember that Cats coming from the neighborhood can be a reason for your Cats stress too.

Changes In The Routine

Cause

Cat loves routine. That’s a fact. If your Cat loves waking up, stretching, grooming himself and then goes straight to the food bowl and he finds it empty then this can cause stress for your Cat. Cats love having a daily routine to rely on.

Nap times, meal times, play time, they all love this to be approximately the same time.

Solution

You should try and schedule your time with your Cats time which means you need to stay disciplined with your schedule. Try play with him at a certain time which is convenient to you and stick at it.

Same with feeding him. If you can’t stick to this plan then gradually change this with a schedule that suits you.

Absence Of The Owner

Cause

When the owner is not available for a long period of time or starting to be there more than usual because for example, a new job with longer hours or going on a Vacation can cause stress to your Cat

Solution

Well, try staying at home more with your Cat! I wish we could all do that and spend more time with our little feline friend but this is not possible so what you can do is, get someone who your Cat is familiar with and get them to spend time with your Cat whilst you are away.

The Owner Being Stressed

Cause

In the current condition we live in this world we can all agree that life can be very stressful!

Everyone gets stressed due to work, family responsibilities and all this stress we have can have a negative effect on our Cat which makes them stressed too!

You see Cats are amazing and they have these sense of feelings to your actions and this can change the mood of your Cat accordingly.

Solution

If we are stressed then we will play with our kitty less and less because we are so busy into our daily lives trying to solve certain problems we are facing.

What would help both you and your Cat is if you spend time with your Cat stroking him and paying him attention.

Believe it or not, it is scientifically proven that stroking your Cat will help you relax and your Cat! So if you ever feel stressed out then relax, sit down with your kitty and stroke him.

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Calming A Stressed Cat

Cats can get stressed and we as Cat parents should take extra notice to see any sudden changes to our Cats behavior.

Especially if they are starting to avoid using the litter box and urinating inappropriately.

To keep our Cats stress free and to also calm him down if your Cat is ever stressed then follow these 5 simple steps

Play with him

Make sure you spend at least 15 – 20 mins a day spending time with your little kitty and give him that affection that he deserves.

This will also reassure your Cat that everything will be okay. Playing with your Cat will definitely help reduce any tension and ensure your Cat is always happy.

Create safe space

Create a little getaway for your Cat when he feels stressed and just wants to get away. I

f their want to get away from a Dog, the vacuum or a toddler that just wants to grab your Cat! I would suggest getting a Cat tree because it’s tall and gives your Cat a good view of the room.

I know it can take a lot of space in the house but I’m sure you don’t want your Cat to be hiding under the bed all his life. I would recommend checking out Armarkat Cat Tree.

You can read my review of it >> Armarkat Cat Tree Review

Pheromone Sprays

This spray will work wonders for your Cat as it creates the pheromones that Cats naturally create for their body to relax.

Studies have shown that there is a 90% success rate of Cat parents that use this product so it is worth a try.

I would recommend Feliway as this is the number one brand recommended by veterinarians. This helps your Cat stay calm when they are stressed. You can get this by clicking here

Using Cat Pheremones

These can help de-stress and reduce anxiety in cats…

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Spend quality time together

You should be already spending time with your little kitty but if you see your Cat being stressed then give them that extra affection and love.

Whether it’s just sitting with them quietly or just stroking them and petting them. Let him sleep on your Lap (My Cat loves doing that!).

These action of yours will give your cat that reassurance and ease that stress and ultimately make him a happy Cat! You should check out my article on how to show your cat you love them  

Get a Scratching Post

Scratching posts are a great way for your at to calm down. It relieves the tension and lets them be a cat.

They love scratching and by allowing them to scratch will sharpen their claws and remove any dead skin. Here are some awesome cat scratching posts that you should check out!

Cat Scratching Posts

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>> Best Cat Scratching Trees! Top 5 To Buy 

You should remember that each Cat is different and some may get stressed over different things so keep calm, and help your Cat accordingly.

It’s impossible for your Cat to have a stress free life but what we Cat parents can do is not get stressed out ourselves.

Well, even that is impossible being stress free so yeah, it’s okay to be stressed out here and there.

What you can do is control your Cats stress level and ensure it doesn’t get to something severe where it could have a negative impact on your Cat’s health and behavior.

You should also speak to your cat too

Cats understand us more than you think!

You can check out my article on how to talk to your cat 

Last update on 2023-07-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API