There’s nothing quite like the joy and companionship that comes with owning a cat.
Whether playfully batting at a piece of string or curling up on your lap for a cat nap, they seem almost too good to be true.
But even the most seemingly contented cats can be susceptible to anxiety.
Here are some common types of anxiety your cat can have and what you can do to help.
1. Separation Anxiety
Cats are social creatures who can often develop strong bonds with their owners. When left alone, some cats can become anxious, and this is known as separation anxiety.
My cat, Cleo, is a perfect example. When my wife or I leave the house, she meows excessively and will often follow us around until the last minute before we leave the house.
She also tends to eat less when we’re away.
To help her cope, we give her a treat before leaving the house, leave her plenty of toys and distraction items, and sometimes leave the blinds on our windows open so she can watch the birds and other animals outside.
This has helped her feel more secure and less anxious.
If you think your cat is experiencing separation anxiety, try leaving them with plenty of toys and distraction items, such as scratching posts, puzzle feeders, or treat dispensers.
You can also try leaving a piece of clothing with your scent on it to comfort them.
2. Change-Related Anxiety
Cats are creatures of habit, and any change to their environment or routine can be challenging for them.
Moving to a new house, switching up their litter box, introducing a new pet, or even rearranging the furniture can trigger anxiety in some cats.
Our other cat, Simba, was very anxious when we moved last year.
He hid under the bed for a week and refused to come out.
To help him adjust, I created a safe space for him and gave him lots of love and attention. I also made sure to keep his routine as consistent as possible.
To help your cat cope with change, try to maintain a consistent routine. Give them plenty of love and attention, and create a calming environment with familiar objects and toys.
Using Feliway sprays, stress stoppers, and other cat-safe diffusers can also help your cat feel more comfortable in their new environment.
3. Travel Anxiety
Many cats associate car rides with negative experiences, such as trips to the vet. As a result, they can become anxious and stressed during car rides.
My cats are no different; they hate car rides. They tend to meow excessively, and they become restless and agitated.
To help them cope, I make sure to keep them as comfortable as possible during the ride.
I also use a calming collar that contains pheromones that help reduce their anxiety, stress stopper spray, try to bring treats if we have some at home, and sit next to them in the car to provide comfort.
To ease travel anxiety, schedule shorter car trips with your cat, such as a short drive around the block, and slowly increase the time they spend in the car.
Use a comfortable carrier with a soft blanket and treat your cat to a favorite toy or treat during the trip.
4. Social Anxiety
Some cats can become overwhelmed in social situations, such as when there are many people in the home or when a new pet is being introduced to them.
They may respond by hiding, becoming aggressive, or trying to escape.
My cat Cleo is sociable, but she tends to hide when we have guests over.
To help her feel more at ease, I’ve created a safe space for her where she can retreat when she feels overwhelmed.
Additionally, I make sure to introduce her to our guests slowly and on her terms.
To help your cat feel more comfortable around others, create a safe space for them to retreat to if they become overwhelmed.
Encourage your guests to give your cat their space and avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
You can also use pheromone sprays or diffusers to help your cat feel more calm and relaxed.
5. Illness-Induced Anxiety
When your cat is sick, they may exhibit signs of anxiety, such as pacing, restlessness, and a lack of appetite.
In such cases, the anxiety is usually caused by the physical discomfort they experience.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to take your cat to the vet to get them checked out.
6. Phobia-Related Anxiety
Cats, like humans, can develop phobias to certain sounds, objects, or situations.
For instance, my cat, Cleo, is terrified of fireworks and vacuum cleaners.
Whenever she hears either of them, she hides in a corner and refuses to come out.
If you notice your cat being overly agitated by specific stimuli, speak to your vet to get help in managing these phobias and try to reduce these noises in your home.
Try giving your cat treats whenever you’re about to use your vacuum, and use something like safe space sprays and stress stoppers to help them calm down.
7. Aging-Related Anxiety
Aging cats may develop cognitive issues leading to confusion and anxiety.
For example, your cat may suddenly become afraid of a room they have known for years or start to forget where the litter box is.
If you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior due to aging, speak to your vet to get help in managing their anxiety.
8. Fear-Induced Anxiety
Specific events, trauma, or objects that scare your cat can trigger fear-induced anxiety. For instance, loud bangs or unfamiliar visitors can cause them to hide or try to escape.
To help your cat deal with this type of anxiety, try to avoid or limit their exposure to these fear-inducing stimuli, if you can.
You can also use pheromone sprays or calming diffusers to create a calm environment for them.
9. Predatory Anxiety
Even though we have domesticated our cats, their hunting instincts remain.
If they don’t get enough stimulation, they can develop predatory anxiety.
Predatory anxiety in cats can manifest in several ways, such as over-grooming themselves or attacking anything they consider prey.
If you notice your cat repeatedly attacking your furniture or constantly grooming themselves until they develop bald spots, it could be a sign of stress and predatory anxiety.
10. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety that cats can develop due to stress, anxiety, or boredom.
Cats with OCD can exhibit repetitive behaviors like continuous grooming, pacing, vocalizing, chewing, tail chasing, chasing imaginary prey, or even excessive licking.
As a cat owner, it’s important to recognize these symptoms early on and intervene before they become more severe.
Provide your cat with plenty of playtime, routine, and a comfortable and stimulating environment.
If you’re concerned that your cat might have OCD, speak with your vet about what you’ve observed with your cat’s behavior.
What is feline anxiety?
Feline anxiety is a condition where your cat experiences fear or distress, which can lead to a variety of physical and behavioral changes.
The signs of anxiety can vary between cats but often include:
- Increased heart and respiratory rates
- Panting
- Trembling
- Salivation
- Restlessness
- Aggression
- Social withdrawal
- Constant meowing
- Changes in behavior, such as excessive grooming and elimination outside the litter box
- Destructive behaviors such as furniture scratching
- Changes in mood or activity level
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite
Causes: Anxiety in cats can occur when they feel unsafe and anticipate danger, leading them to feel chronically stressed and afraid. Things like:
- You leaving them alone in the house
- Changing their litter to a new litter
- Changing their food to something else
- Moving their litter box to a new location
- Bringing a new pet to your house
- Using a loud vacuum close to them
- Scaring them on purpose
- Inviting new people over to your house
- Making loud noises near them.
These situations can lead to feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety in your cat.
It’s important to note that each cat’s experience with anxiety can be different, and they may not exhibit all these symptoms, but most will show signs similar to these.
In severe cases, cats may experience extreme fear and anxiety, leading to hiding, withdrawal, and excessive vocalization.
Helping your cat with anxiety
Treatment for feline anxiety often involves a multi-modal approach that combines behavioral modification techniques, changes to your cat’s environment, natural calming aids, and potentially anti-anxiety medication from your vet, depending on the severity of your cat’s anxiety.
If your cat is exhibiting signs of anxiety, it’s important to take steps to help them cope. Here are some tips to help your cat manage their anxiety:
1. Create a calming environment
Provide your cat with comfortable, safe places that they can hide away in; doing this will prevent them from hiding in places you may not be able to find them.
Add some cat trees and other places where your cat can perch and open boxes where they can lay.
Nothing tells a cat that they belong in their environment, like familiar smells and sounds, so make sure your home is a relaxing and comfortable place for them.
2. Provide plenty of enrichment
Believe me when I tell you that cats can lose themselves with a good toy. I see this in my cat all the time.
Have plenty of toys and activities around to keep your cat entertained, such as scratching posts, puzzle feeders, and interactive toys like laser pointers and fishing rods to encourage your cat to play.
3. Make sure your cat gets enough exercise
Exercise is an essential part of maintaining your cat’s physical and mental health, and it’s also a great stress reliever.
Provide your cat with many opportunities for play and exploration, and make use of their toys to help you do this.
4. Create a routine
This one is very important and has helped save me from headaches, especially when I needed sleep.
Cats thrive on routine, so try to keep their daily activities consistent. This helps reduce stress and establish a sense of security for your cat.
5. Consult with your veterinarian
If you’re doing your best but still unsure of what’s causing your cat’s anxiety or if it persists, reach out to your veterinarian.
Let your vet know what’s going on and see if they can help you identify the cause and suggest treatments that will help you better.
Loving our cats involves recognizing when they are in need of our help and coming to their aid.
Learning about the various types of cat anxiety can go a long way in helping us give our cats the best possible care.
Thankfully, through understanding, patience, and creating a nurturing environment, we have the opportunity to play an active role in reducing our fur babies’ stress and promoting their overall well-being, which ultimately makes our lives so much better.