Cat Anxiety: Spot the signs and treat the problem
Cats, like humans, can sometimes feel low, stressed, or anxious. Conflict with other cats and new places are common triggers of cat anxiety that could put your kitty’s hair on end (literally!). The following videos show some scenarios which you should look out for if you have a pet prone to sudden mood changes or anxiety. Read on for top tips on handling your anxious pet and the best ways to treat cat anxiety in the long run.
Is your cat fighting with other cats? Anxiety could be the cause.
Play-fighting with fellow feline friends is a very normal part of cat behaviour – it will help your cat bond with other cats and build their confidence. However, it can sometimes be hard to tell whether the fighting is playful or serious. Look out for the following body language clues:
- Taking turns – If playing, cats normally ‘take turns’ making the dominant move. If they are both clawing and advancing at the same time, it’s more likely to be a real fight.
- Growling, hissing, and snarling – As a general rule of thumb, cats tend to stick to a ‘meow’ when playing and save the hissing, snarling, and growling for genuine fights.
- Ears – When fighting for real, cats tend to pin their ears back so watch out for this behaviour.
- Claws and teeth – Cats will rarely use their claws whilst play-fighting and if biting, this shouldn’t cause injury or inflict pain. If the fight looks more violent than this, it is likely to be genuine and a cause for concern.
If you do recognise your kitty exhibiting a willingness to fight with other cats, it’s worth addressing this sooner rather than later to avoid more problems down the line. YuCALM Cat supports calm behaviour with active natural ingredients like L-Theanine to assist the production of calming compounds in the brain. B vitamins work in tandem to support healthy brain function. and reduce cat anxiety.
Is your cat agitated meeting new people? Don’t ignore your cat’s anxiety.
Even the most confident of cats can be phased by a new human around the house. Whether this be a temporary visitor or a new arrival who’s here to stay, it’s important that your cat is calm enough to recognise that their territory is not under siege. It’s worth considering the following tips to reduce your cat’s anxiety when meeting someone new:
- A calm introduction – If possible, request that your visitor sits quietly and calmly in your cat’s vicinity and doesn’t pressure him or her to overbearing cuddles. This will help a nervous cat get used to a new human in their own time. (Of course, this is easier said than done if your visitor is a very new arrival!)
- A consistent routine – Avoid any major changes to your cat’s routine– for instance keep meal and litter-tray-emptying times regular. This shows your cat that the visitor is not a threat to their resources.
- Provide refuge – It’s important that your shy kitty has somewhere safe and enclosed to hide should they feel the need to. Your cat will thank you for providing a secluded cardboard box with blankets where they can de-stress if needed.This may help to avoid your cat finding refuge somewhere more precarious – our feline friends love to climb up high when feeling anxious which can be scary for everyone.
To ensure that your cat remains calm and content if there is a new visitor on the horizon, consider starting a course of YuCALM Cat 6 weeks prior to the visit. Lemon balm in YuCALM Cat helps reduce stress by making your cat feel more relaxed and encouraging calm behaviour. The naturally occurring amino acids work with serotonin in your cat’s brain to make them feel happy from nose to tail. These natural ingredients in YuCALM Cat are scientifically proven to decrease stress-related behaviours in cats.
Furrious’ at the prospect of the V-E-T? Treat cat anxiety for good.
Cats are notoriously independent, and the process of taking them to the vet can be a stark reminder of this quality! Your cat may respond to an attempted visit to the vet with behaviour such as:
- Aggression – Your cat may respond to an unwelcome trip to the vet with aggressive behaviour toward you or your other household pets. This is best avoided for everyone’s safety.
- Hiding – Just like humans, cats sometimes require ‘alone time’. This can be problematic if you’re running late for your veterinary appointment but be patient as your calm attitude is the first ingredient for a successful trip to the vet.
- Incontinence – If your cat decides to relive itself in a surprising place, it’s likely that there is something up. The unexpected appearance of the ‘leaving basket’ can stress your cat out and prompt this behaviour. Consider keeping the basket open in the house at all times to make it familiar territory.
A visit to the vets can be difficult, but don’t be put off; you can ease your cat’s anxiety with YuCALM Cat. The active natural ingredients help to calm your cat and ensure that the happiness signals already present are finding the right spot. We can’t promise that a visit to the vets will ever be a delight, but YuCALM Cat can certainly go a long way in ensuring that your fidgety feline is as calm and content as possible on the journey and in the surgery. We recommend starting YuCALM Cat 1-3 weeks before your veterinary appointment to ensure the smoothest visit possible. For more in-depth look at travelling with your pet, read to our top tips for happy journeys by clicking here..
Does your cat exhibit symptoms of anxiety in any other situations aside from those mentioned above? Leave a comment to share your experience or join our pet-loving community on Facebook and Instagram to share advice (and more than a few cute pet snaps!).
