What to Do to Reduce Stress in Cats?

Many situations can cause stress in cats, and it is up to us to help them with reducing stress. While all cats react to stress to big life changes such as moving, the arrival of a new family member, divorce, etc., some of them even do not like moving the old carpet and putting a new one. According to experts, it is because of their high developed sense of smell loss familiarity with odors of the old carpet and gets uncomfortable with the new ones. Not only that cat’s sense of smell becomes easily aroused by changes in the cat’s environment, but hearing and of touch can also become overwhelming with unknown information. Cats like predictability and the same daily rituals going on and on, without too much shaking. Routine, rituals and structured time give a cat sense of safety and security. Nothing is more disturbing for cats than frequent changes. For that reason, feline experts recommend keeping the regular daily routine the same as before the change. It will help a cat to accept the change easier. According to experts, we should keep an eye on feline behavior during a challenging situation. Some cats can express unusual behavior that they did not show before. That could be problems with litter box, excessive vocalization, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, prolonged sleeping, or less obvious behavior such as aloofness, deep sadness, and depression. To learn more about what we can do to reduce stress in cats, the article “How to Reduce Stress in Cats” gives us the following advice.

Turn down loud music. Cats have sensitive ears that can be hurt by loud music, loud television, or other sources of noise.

Know when to comfort your cat. Some cats who are bonded to their owner will benefit from companionship and reassurance (such as the cat who bolts under the comforter during a thunderstorm: she gets comfort from the owner’s scent on the bedsheets). However, a truly terrified cat will be too traumatized to accept comfort and will consider human interference a further threat.

Give your cat plenty of safe places in the home. A lack of safe places can also stress a cat. If she feels exposed because there are no high perches where she can safely watch the comings and goings, or no dark cupboards to hide in, this in itself is a stress. All it takes to correct this is the simple provision of a cardboard box in a quiet corner, or a tall tower or scratching post.

Try to maintain a peaceful, stable atmosphere at home. Cats are very sensitive to changes to their environment. While some situations are hard to avoid (like moving apartments), try to provide as calm an atmosphere as you can. Arguing and yelling not only stresses you out, but your cat as well.

Don’t yell at your cat. Cats can’t understand the connection between yelling or hitting and something the cat is doing wrong, so trying to discipline a cat this way only makes the cat anxious and afraid.

Additionally, a majority of cats also reacts stressfuly on general cleaning, because their sensitive sense of smell cannot stand aggressive detergents. Experts suggest using detergents with milder formula and stick to them. If we frequently change cleaning products, it will confuse and threaten a cat. But, many cats are not too sensitive and we do not have to worry about every activity that is out of routine. And, if we know well our precious pet, we will exactly understand what disturbs him and act accordingly.