Anxiety is a normal response to certain situations or changes when your cat is anticipating a potential threat or danger. It may be debilitating for your cat, leading to emotional distress and worsening, or causing medical problems. Cats may also display unwanted behaviours, which are the result of anxiety and not due to the cat being ‘naughty’, ‘jealous’ or ‘spiteful’.
Anxiety: how will I know if my cat has it?
Anxiety symptoms may not always be obvious in the beginning and often worsen over time. Seek veterinary advice as soon as you notice that ‘something is not quite right’.
Symptoms of anxiety include:
- Urinating outside of the litter box/spraying
- Aggression
- Hiding or escaping
- Restlessness or pacing
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Increased vocalisation
- Excessive grooming, which can lead to hair loss
Anxiety may also trigger medical issues such as:
- Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease with difficulty urinating, blood in urine and increased urinary frequency
- Upper Respiratory Infections with sneezing, congestion and discharge
Diagnosis
Your vet will diagnose anxiety based on your description of your cat’s behaviour, and after possibly running diagnostic tests such as blood work and urine tests to rule out any medical causes of your cat’s behaviour.
How to treat anxiety in cats
It’s important to determine the root cause of the anxiety, so that the stressor can be removed or reduced. Think back to any recent changes that have occurred in the life of your cat that may have triggered the anxiety.
These could be changes in your cat’s environment such as moving to a new home, changes to furniture or the type of litter, a new family member or pet in the home, a new pet next door, construction nearby or something as simple as a change in household routine. Competition for resources in a multi-cat household, roaming cats, a traumatic event, death, divorce, illness and pain may also trigger anxiety.
By combining environmental improvements, calming aids, possible medication and behavioural modification, most cats will overcome their anxiety. Any linked or underlying medical conditions will need to be treated as well. Never punish your anxious cat’s behaviours.
Making environmental improvements
• Cats feel safer when they are higher up. Increase the vertical territory using cat trees, cat shelves and window perches.
• Provide quiet, safe spaces like cardboard boxes or a shelf in a clothes cupboard.
• Provide positive reinforcement through individual attention, playtime and by rewarding acceptable behaviours.
Ensure litter boxes are not placed where your cat could feel trapped; place litter boxes and food bowls in low-traffic areas. Remove wet or soiled litter at least once a day and wash the box with soap and water at least once a week. Make sure there are enough boxes available for all of the cats in your home. (one more litter box than the number of cats).
Calming aids
Pheromone diffusers, sprays and collars imitate friendly pheromones to calm anxious cats by reassuring them that they are safe in their environment.
Anti-anxiety medications
Your vet may recommend anti-anxiety medication depending on the severity of anxiety. It works best when used in conjunction with behavioural modification.
Behavioural modification
It is also recommended that you consult a cat behaviour specialist who will be able to provide more detailed advice tailored to your cat and household dynamics. We can recommend Cat Chats to help your cat overcoming anxiety (www.catchats.co.za).
