It is common for a worried cat to hide, pee in an undesirable place, scratch excessively, and/or yell. There are some cats who are inherently apprehensive, and there are others that get agitated for no apparent reason.
Sad Cat
for a variety of reasons. In order to figure out what's wrong and come up with remedies, veterinarians and behavior experts examine the cat's medical and mental well-being as well as its instinctive qualities. A good starting point for addressing your cat's anxiety is the H.I.S.S. test (which measures health, instinct, stress, and symptoms).
Cat owners often claim that their felines get into fights from time to time. A bellied collar may help if this is the situation in your house (s). This will alert the victim to the presence of the kitten, allowing the feline to avoid unwanted confrontations.
Investigate Potential Health and Behavior Issues
Anxious behavior may be shown by cats who are not feeling well. As a result of their evolution, cats have become "great pretenders" who never show any signs of being down. If a cat is suffering from a concealed ailment, it will exhibit only the most mild of signals. Instead of limping, a cat with an injured paw may hide or become overly affectionate, depending on the severity of the injury. Anxiety may typically be alleviated by addressing an underlying health condition.
The unknown is a dangerous place for a cat. It was only the "cautious cats" that lived to reproduce and pass on the caution gene to future generations that were able to survive in the wild. Survival instincts like being wary and hiding mean that your cat may be more wary than the average feline.
Reduce the Amount of Anxiety
Fortunately, you have some degree of control over one of the leading causes of anxiety: stress. The way a cat's attitude, socialization as a kitten, and even genetics play a role in how it responds to stress. When it comes to "more nervous" cats (and dogs and humans and other creatures), some are just born with it.
Every element in the cat's surroundings has the potential to exacerbate stress and anxiety.
People, climate, resources, and even living and competing with other cats all contribute to environmental stresses.
Create a cat-friendly atmosphere with plenty of feline supplies that allow cats to express their natural instincts in a healthy way. Knowing what cats do the most might help alleviate some of the tension and worry they would otherwise feel.
A Cat Tree Is Necessary
A cat's favorite hiding spot is a dark, secluded area. Inaccessible areas are also preferred by them since they are the most difficult to access and protect. Anxious cats may hide in low places, whereas confident cats may seek out high perches to relax. Basements, beneath staircases, closets, and mounds of debris are all popular hiding places for these creatures.
You may soothe a nervous cat by providing them with the perfect cat tree since cats spend a lot of time sleeping or relaxing. A diversity of perching spots throughout the home may help prevent fights over ownership among many cats. When a cat wakes up, it is common for them to stretch and scratch, thus installing scratching posts near resting areas might make the feline more comfortable.
Make it a Party with Food
Most of the time they're awake, cats are either hunting or eating. Using food puzzle toys or setting up a "treasure hunt" with little servings scattered throughout the home will help with either issue. Stress and anxiety may be reduced by engaging in activities that simulate hunting behavior. Toys produced from scratch encourage cats to investigate, and changing up the variety of toys they play with keeps them engaged.
Enhance the User Experience in the Litter Box
Squatting to moisten flat surfaces with pee is a common method of urinating in the presence of an anxious cat. Cats typically use their fragrance to mark their territory, warn off intruders, or just feel safer in their own skin since it is their own scent. The bed, near windows or other lookouts (where the cat sees stray cats), or at the entrance are some of the most common places for a cat to defecate (where they hear or smell stray cats).
Litter boxes should be placed in a number of areas around your house rather than concentrated in a single spot. Anxiety is reduced by the one-plus-one rule (one box per cat plus one).
All litter boxes should be kept clean as well. The appropriate removal of waste is discouraged by a filthy box, which might exacerbate whatever anxiety you may already be experiencing.
Assist in the Treatment of Anxiety
Your cat's uneasiness might be alleviated by using scents and natural therapies. The Feliway diffuser or spray bottle is a well-liked option. It is a synthetic feline face pheromone that aids in the reduction of stress caused by territoriality and the surroundings.
Anxious cats may benefit greatly from the use of Rescue Remedy or another of the more specialized Bach Flower Remedies. In many pet shops, there is a model particularly intended for pets.
Do your research before using any pet-specific aromatherapy products. Cats may be poisoned by a variety of essential oils. 2 These things may harm your cat's health, and some of them might be life-threatening.
Issues and Error-Finding Methods
Be patient if your cat doesn't adapt right away to any adjustments you make. Once you've ruled out any health risks, try your best to create a serene and appealing space for your cat. It may be necessary to try a different one of the solutions if the first doesn't appear to be working for your cat.
Change may be a stressful thing for a cat, so keep this in mind. Make just a few adjustments at a time. Make an effort to keep things familiar for your cat in the event of a recent change in your household (such as a new home, a new or deceased family member, or simply a rearrangement of the furniture). Comforting your cat by giving it a favorite toy or an old scratching post might be beneficial.
Keep your house as stress-free as possible while you wait for your cat to arrive. If you don't want to upset the cat, you don't have to walk on eggshells, but they should become acclimated to your "regular" household. Eventually, many frightened cats come to terms with their situation and relax.
If you believe your pet is ill, contact your veterinarian immediately. You should always seek the advice of your pet's veterinarian when it comes to health-related issues. Your veterinarian has evaluated your pet, is familiar with your pet's medical history, and can provide the most informed recommendations for your pet.