Although cats are considered very independent creatures with a dominant personality, they can also be very sensitive. They are often anxious and frustrated by the way household members interact with them, or by things that are going on around them. We tell you some tips on how to help your stressed cat .
How to identify a stressed cat?
There are some common signs of a stressed cat that manifest both physically and behaviorally.
Physical symptoms
In the physical symptoms stand out: vomiting, diarrhea, large bald patches, runny nose and eyes, lack of appetite, sleeping more than usual, eating and/or drinking excessively, sudden weight loss or gain, no going to the bathroom so often, eating non-food items, such as plastic or wool.
Behavioral symptoms
In behavioral symptoms , the following stand out: behavioral changes, such as aggressiveness towards family members or visitors, excessive meowing, increased dependence, going to the bathroom outside the litter tray, spraying the furniture and other elements of the house with urine , smashing things, excessively scratching furniture, disinterest in interacting with people, giving up playing or entering the house, repeated walks around the house (accompanied by loud meows), constant vigilance of every sudden movement, and excessive grooming.
How to help your stressed cat?
After ruling out a potential medical problem, you can explore ways to control your cat’s temper. But, before you start, remember that cats do not respond to the same training techniques as a dog. Yelling or punishing doesn’t work for them, opt for reward systems.
It is important to incorporate items that meet your basic needs and help improve your mood, such as jute balls and scratching posts. Jute balls are perfect toys for baby cats and as they grow you can incorporate a wall or corner scratcher. The scrapers for cats helps them relieve stress and keep your nails healthy , exercise and also curious about .
The trips to the veterinarian often stress the small felines, therefore, see that the carrier is comfortable and has enough space for it. When you go to the vet, bring an extra towel to cover it. Bring treats and toys when they are in the waiting room. Also, pay attention to good nutrition, parasite control, dental care, grooming, and nail wellness.
It is also recommended to establish a playtime with the owners to strengthen the emotional ties that you have with them. The ideal is to rotate the toys from time to time so that they do not get bored.
If behaviour problems persist, an alternative is to seek professional behavioural counselling. Some feline behaviour specialists recommend constant training, for example, taking walks to reduce stress levels. This activity also helps to keep him in shape avoiding obesity, in addition, it socializes with other animals and humans.
