Did the cat start pooping at the door? Not peeing in the litter box? Attacking other cats? Having other skin conditions like ringworm? loose stools? Vomiting? and a series of the above behaviors and health problems may be caused by stress.
As qualified cat owners, we should be aware of all the stressors in our lives that may cause stress to cats and try to eliminate them as much as possible.
What exactly is stress
Stress is a word we use a lot in our daily life, usually referring to the feeling of worrying about something, sometimes even will feel overwhelmed. We worry about our health, loved ones, money problems, traffic jams……It is a long list.
But what about our cats?
What makes cats stressed, and how does this stress affect them?
Stress is closely related to change. The goal of all living things is to achieve stable survival when their needs are met. This is called a steady state.
All kinds of stress, whether from the outside world or from our own body or mind, can interfere with this sense of balance and create stress.
The effects of stress can be physical or psychological. Does change always threaten us in some way, even positive change? It triggers the body’s fight-or-flight mechanism, resulting in the release of adrenal hormones.
What causes stress
The source of stress, or the cause of stress, can be difficult to identify. It is the perception of threat, not the objective level of threat, that creates stress.
So something may be stressful for one person or cat, but not for another person or cat.
Some cats are more susceptible to stress and more sensitive to changes and environmental disturbances. These cats tend to see potential threats anywhere.
Psychologists list potential causes of stress in humans. In general, these lists include two types of stressors:
Events——either positive events, such as engagement and marriage, the birth of a child, or moving to a new home, or adverse events, such as divorce, unemployment, or the death of a family member.
Chronic stress——something you have to deal with regularly. Fucking bosses, disobedient kids, noisy environments, etc.
The Effects of Stress
All living things are affected by stress, and cats are no exception. In the long run, persistently elevated stress levels can be harmful. In humans, they have been linked to depression, a weakened immune system, and even cancer.
Stress may have a similar effect on cats. Reports show that stress can trigger or exacerbate diseases such as urinary disorders, asthma, skin allergies, stomatitis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver inflammation, and even FIP.
Behavioral problems are a common result of increased stress. They can be a rapid response to acute stress or develop over time. Any changes in your cat’s behavior, and any behavioral problems you find, may stem from increased stress levels. That’s why cat behaviorists have been studying stressors in cats.
Causes of cat stress
Stress patterns can be complex.
For example, an illness may be caused partially by elevated stress levels, but it may also be a source of stress itself.
When evaluating a cat’s condition, especially when dealing with behavioral problems, it is important to review the list of potential stressors and identify the source of the problem.
Only by addressing these stressors can we achieve a long-term solution to this problem
The following is a list of potential stressors in a cat’s life. Some of them are unavoidable. And some can bring improvement through active efforts.
Either way, you should be aware that they can be stressful for your cat.
Even if your cat is relatively “stress-resistant,” stress can build up over time, and after a certain limit, it can eventually lead to behavioral and health problems.
Physical Stressors:
Veterinary or Hospitalization
Physical Trauma
Illness
Parasites
Surgery
Debris
New Drugs (Physiological Effects)
Sight or Hearing Loss (sometimes gradual)
Deworming
Cover
Chronic or Acute Pain
Restrooms
pregnant
breastfeeding
medication (a very reluctant cat)
bath
shaving
Diet:
Changes in food types
Weight loss diets and food restriction
Malnutrition or an unbalanced diet
Thirsty or hungry
Not enough litter boxes (I had to “wait”).
Dirty litter box
Variation in litter type
Variation in litter box type
Location of litter box Changes
Environmental changes:
Moving to a new home
Renovating or remodeling a house, changing decor
Thunderstorms, fireworks, construction, dog barking, these four loud noises
strong smell
wearing a collar
adopted
living in Inside the Shelter
Travel
Airplane
Lost
Changes in Daily Life
Seasons and Daylight Saving Time Changes to
Restricted access to the house
Restricted to a room
Restricted to cat cage
Restricted to vehicle
The place is too hot or too cold
loud music or TV
surprises and “traps.”
scary cat toys
earthquake
extreme weather conditions
less exercise
a sudden increase in exercise
boring and lack of stimulation
Not enough room to climb
harassment or aggression by dogs or other pets
new pets in the household
attendance to cat shows
Related to people:
Newborn babies in the house
Deaths in the family
Guests in the house
Companion leaves or new companion arrives
Master starts a new job
Master has a new spouse
Leaving family members (see above), University, etc.)
physical abuse of a child or adult
scolded
subject to any form of punishment
playing aggressive games with people
Person stress
Any type of training (seat belts, toilet use, etc.)
The person giving excessive caress or attention
Related to other cats:
Introduction to new cats (especially if the owner is wrong)
Food competition——not allowed during mealtimes. Does not compete with other cats.
Generalized competition with other cats in the same household
The sound of fighting, howling
The sound of one or more cats is Harassment and assault, especially when using the litter box.
Unknown cat around the house
Smell another cat’s territorial urine traces
Accurately identifying stress will play a significant role in treating some diseases in cats. Therefore, for cats with glass hearts, we should use more snacks.
