Stress in cats – a multifaceted problem

Stress, which is the body’s response to various stimuli and results in extreme emotions, affects many people.As it turns out, this applies not only to us, but also to our pets.However, in the case of cats, this is an extremely complex phenomenon.

Why is the cat stressed??

Stress occurs in many situations in life and is associated with a variety of circumstances.We can talk about stress in a physiological sense when the body feels discomfort: it is tired, hungry, thirsty, or when something is wrong with it and, for example, it hurts.Stress can also be approached from a purely psychological perspective, linking it to a sense of instability as well as emotions such as anxiety, fear, sadness, nervousness, or panic.

The impact of stress on animals and humans depends not only on its type and intensity, but also on its duration.While short-term stress can have a stimulating effect, boosting the body’s performance, chronic stress is often responsible for a weakened immune system and leads to the development of various health issues (such as gastrointestinal problems, the bladder, or even compulsive behaviors).For this reason, psychological science has established a distinction between eustress and distress.The former can be beneficial to the body, while the latter always has negative consequences.

Short-term stress can be adaptive—meaning that, under certain conditions, it can help you better cope with the challenges ahead.However, chronic stress is never truly chronic, and its presence always takes a toll on the body and brain.So, before we even start talking about stress—in this case, in the context of our feline friends—we need to assess what kind of stress it is.If you're having trouble figuring that out, talk to a specialist.

Stress in Cats: Symptoms and Consequences

Cats, like humans, are very sensitive to changes in their environment.If something doesn't go their way, happens suddenly, or puts the pet in an uncomfortable situation, it usually makes them feel worse.Cats can react quickly to stress, and their response is often physiological.External symptoms of stress include m.in.:

• excessive hair loss,
• sweating of the paw pads,
• breathing with an open mouth,
• intense vocalization,
• dandruff,
• dilated pupils,
• a hunched posture,
• rapid heart rate,
• intimidating and threatening behaviors such as hissing, growling, lunging, and attempts to bite or scratch.

When the body is under severe stress, stress hormones are released, the most important of which are adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol.In cats, these substances are metabolized very slowly, a process that can take up to 14 days after they are excreted.If an animal is exposed to a stressor again before its body has cleared the previous dose of hormones, the hormones accumulate, causing them to take longer to be metabolized.That’s why, after any stressful situation, you should make sure your cat has time to calmly “recover”.In turn, the buildup of stress can very easily lead to an escalation of nervous behavior, which can turn into aggression.

The most common health problem caused by chronic stress is idiopathic cystitis, which is classified as a lower urinary tract disease in cats.This condition presents with symptoms similar to those of bacterial cystitis; however, microbiological tests show that the urine culture is negative..Therefore, treatment must include not only appropriate specialized cat food , but also comprehensive behavioral therapy aimed at eliminating the stressor.

Causes of stress in cats

Cat stress can have a wide variety of causes.The most common causes of its occurrence include m.in.:

• health-related factors that exacerbate psychological stress, leading to secondary symptoms,
• conflicts within the group arising from social, territorial, and resource-related factors,
• a tense atmosphere at home, in which the pet picks up on the caregiver's stress,
• environmental changes of varying degrees of intensity: from replacing the sofa, to moving, to the arrival of a child in the home,
• improper introduction of animals, which most often means introducing them without using isolation-based socialization methods,
• exposure to loud noises, strong odors, and other unpredictable environmental factors,
• leaving the house, e.g., to go to the vet,
• sudden change in cat food ,
• replacing a well-known and popular resource with another,
• a change in the caregiver's work schedule and activities.

As you can see, literally anything can be a source of stress in a cat's world.However, whether and to what extent a particular cat will be prone to stress depends on a combination of factors, including the course of its initial socialization, individual predispositions related to its temperament, past experiences, and its current mental state.It is, therefore, an extremely individual matter and difficult to predict.

How to calm a stressed cat?

The best way to help a cat regain its balance is, first and foremost, to remove the source of stress from its environment and restore the cat’s sense of security.From a broader perspective, you can work on various issues with your cat by selecting appropriate therapeutic methods (such as gradual desensitization).However, the treatment method should be determined by a qualified specialist, who will tailor the recommendations to the pet’s individual needs.

There are also many products on the market designed to reduce feelings of stress and tension.Many of them are based on natural ingredients and are sold as over-the-counter dietary supplements.However, you should be careful, because choosing the wrong product could actually make the cat's problems worse.Therefore, it is best to consult a veterinarian, who can advise you on whether such supplements are appropriate for your cat , and, if necessary, help you choose the best option.

Małgorzata Biegańska-Hendryk
cat behavior expert