As of: February 16, 2024, 5:45 a.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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Do you love your cat and want him to be happy and relaxed?
Find out here how to recognize the signs that your cat is stressed.
Do you feel like your house cat hasn't really been himself lately?
Or your cat's preferences and habits have changed and you are noticing changes in his behavior?
Cats are masters at hiding their emotions, but they still send subtle signals when they're stressed.
Here are five signs to look out for - assuming a vet has ruled out any health reasons for the changed behavior.
Five signs you can tell your cat is stressed
Changes in eating behavior
Increased hiding
Excessive scratching or meowing
uncleanliness
Aggression towards other pets or people in the household
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1. Changes in eating behavior
A sudden loss of appetite or overeating can be signs of stress.
Pay attention to whether your cat refuses its food or devours it hastily.
If she refuses even treats, stress could be the reason.
In this case, it is particularly important to rule out medical causes.
2. Hiding and withdrawal
If cats withdraw more than usual, this can be an indication of stress.
(Symbolic image) © Pond5 Images/Imago
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If your cat suddenly begins to appear under beds, in closets, or other hiding places, it could be an indication that he is withdrawing to avoid stress.
Disinterest in food or toys can also be a result of stress.
If she avoids contact with you, there is definitely something wrong.
3. Excessive scratching or meowing
Constant scratching on furniture or walls, as well as excessive meowing or whining, may indicate that your cat is trying to get your attention and express his stress.
You should also keep an eye on the cat's purring.
Because the house cats don't just turn on their propellers out of joy.
You can find even more exciting animal topics in the free partner newsletter from Landtiere.de, which you can subscribe to right here.
4. Uncleanliness
Uncleanliness outside the litter box can be a clear sign of stress.
Your cat may be trying to express his unrest or dissatisfaction in this way.
Marking living spaces with urine is also an expression of stress.
In this way, the cat wants to make it feel comfortable in its territory again.
Just like uncleanliness, neglected or excessive grooming can also be an indication of stress.
If you discover bald spots in your cat's fur, you should react carefully.
5. Aggression toward other pets or people in the household
Aggressive behavior such as fighting, hissing, staring, or hitting other pets or even people in the household can be an indicator of increased stress.
The reason for this could be a new cat or dog in the household.
Every cat has individual behaviors
Even though the signs mentioned may apply to many cats, every animal is individual and you know your cat best.
What is normal for one cat may be a sign of stress for another.
If you notice changes in your routines or behavior, you should react and look for the trigger.
How you can help your cat
In order to improve your cat's well-being again, you should investigate the causes.
Has your usual daily routine changed and therefore your pet's feeding times?
Have you moved furniture or bought new ones?
Is there a new person in your household?
If you know the reason for your cat's behavior, you can take simple measures.
Find out here which seven signs you can use to recognize that your cat truly loves you.
Create a safe environment with enough opportunities to retreat.
Provide sufficient opportunities for activity and play.
Make sure you have regular vet visits to rule out any health problems.
Give your cat enough time and space to relax.
But also show her your love and affection.
Rule of thumb for cat well-being
If another or even a new pet is the reason for your cat's stress, you may be able to make the situation easier for him with a simple rule of thumb: Provide your cat with another resource (e.g. litter box, scratching post, water bowl, food bowl).
Remember the N+1 rule, as
Feliway
describes.
In a household with several animals, the following applies: “One resource for each animal plus an additional one that the animals can use if necessary.”
On the other hand, if your cat is stressed or anxious for just a brief moment, for example due to a dog running past, it will flatten its ears, its whiskers point backwards and its eyes will be wide open.
If you know the cause of her reaction, you can calm her down.
Owners can recognize a relaxed cat by forward-pointing ears, hanging whiskers and friendly, half-closed eyes.
You can also tell from these five signs whether your cat is lonely.
By correctly interpreting the signs and providing your cat with the right support, you can help ensure he or she lives a happy, stress-free life.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.