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. Â
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
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 hereÂ
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
- ✅100% DE-STRESS FORMULA: Our calming diffuser refill & plug-in is one of the best anti-stress diffusers for cats that helps to reduce anxiety. A solution to decrease fighting between cats and allow them to live in harmony
- ✅ DRUG-FREE: The diffuser emits a copy of the harmony marker pheromone. This allows cats to feel at ease and maintain a harmonious connection with one another.
- ✅ CORRECTION PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR: Effective for 90% of cats to reduce fighting, scratching, urine marking, hiding, and other behavior among cats in the household
- ✅HOW TO USE: The diffuser kit covers an area of up to 700 square feet for 30 days of use. After that, you need to replace the refill. Plugin upright into a wall outlet with vents facing up and never into power strips. Unsafe use can cause the diffuser's increase odor or leak.
- ✅ FIRST EFFECT: For best results, keep the diffuser connected for at least 7 days at all times
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.
- ✅100% DE-STRESS FORMULA: Our calming diffuser refill & plug-in is one of the best anti-stress diffusers for cats that helps to reduce anxiety. A solution to decrease fighting between cats and allow them to live in harmony
- ✅ DRUG-FREE: The diffuser emits a copy of the harmony marker pheromone. This allows cats to feel at ease and maintain a harmonious connection with one another.
- ✅ CORRECTION PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR: Effective for 90% of cats to reduce fighting, scratching, urine marking, hiding, and other behavior among cats in the household
- ✅HOW TO USE: The diffuser kit covers an area of up to 700 square feet for 30 days of use. After that, you need to replace the refill. Plugin upright into a wall outlet with vents facing up and never into power strips. Unsafe use can cause the diffuser's increase odor or leak.
- ✅ FIRST EFFECT: For best results, keep the diffuser connected for at least 7 days at all times
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…
- ✅100% DE-STRESS FORMULA: Our calming diffuser refill & plug-in is one of the best anti-stress diffusers for cats that helps to reduce anxiety. A solution to decrease fighting between cats and allow them to live in harmony
- ✅ DRUG-FREE: The diffuser emits a copy of the harmony marker pheromone. This allows cats to feel at ease and maintain a harmonious connection with one another.
- ✅ CORRECTION PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR: Effective for 90% of cats to reduce fighting, scratching, urine marking, hiding, and other behavior among cats in the household
- ✅HOW TO USE: The diffuser kit covers an area of up to 700 square feet for 30 days of use. After that, you need to replace the refill. Plugin upright into a wall outlet with vents facing up and never into power strips. Unsafe use can cause the diffuser's increase odor or leak.
- ✅ FIRST EFFECT: For best results, keep the diffuser connected for at least 7 days at all times
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 Â
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
- Sisal cat scratcher comes with strong and stable wooden structure
- Features natural sisal surface that cats love to scratch
- Perfect angle for scratching
- Includes smarty kat organic catnip
- Colors may vary of the sisal surface
- Premium Quality Materials - This product is made of 100% natural sisal hemp.The base and top is a weighted MDF covering the carpet.Nature High Quality Sisal Safe Plush Long Lasting Usage Stable basement, never tip over easily.
- Protect your furniture - Grab sticks and plush toys combine to attract cats to play and grab, natural sisal is suitable for cats to grab, effectively preventing cats from grabbing furniture
- Designed for indoor use - Neutral colors work well with existing decor in your home.ideal for any living room, bedroom, or home office
- 22"Tall Cat Scratching Post -11.8 x 11.8 x 22 Inches,design for kitties or smaller cats.
- Easy Assemble - ust screw all parts together,Assemble needed, all tools and instructions included.Please contact us if you have any further questions.
- Unique Design: This Cat scratching post with 3 scratching poles covered with green natural sisal and carpet standing on the “12.6” round base like a mimic cactus looks cute and fresh that help blend into any modern decor and add fun flair to any room.
- Various Height of Fun: A variety of post height from “7.5” to “20.9” satisfy all ages of cats’ scratching habit and stretching. It offer a perfect place for cats to relieve their stress, encourage their natural desire for a good scratch and save your expensive furniture from little tiger’s clawing.
- Premium Choice: The base and top part are both covered in soft carpet that feels good on the paws, especially for adventurous kitties that want to jump to the top. It comes with 2 sizes. The medium post is suggest for cats up to “10lbs" and the large post is recommend for adult cat .
- Additional Benefit: Designed with cats in mind. It is equipped with hanging toy stimulate their prey-like behavior like pouncing and swatting and enhance their playing time with it and provide extra fun for them.
- Simple Assembly: Simple construction with 3 posts and a base requires minor assembling. The step by step instruction make it more easy. You can set it up in minutes or seconds.
>> Best Cat Scratching Trees! Top 5 To BuyÂ
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 catÂ
Last update on 2022-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API