If there is a cat in your life that you love with all your heart, you want him or her to be happy and comfortable at all times. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. For a cat, the world can sometimes seem gigantic and confusing, and that can lead to feelings of anxiety from time or time.
However, there are many simple things that you can do to help diminish the effects of cat anxiety. As a pet owner who loves your little four-legged, furry baby, it’s good to know some strategies to comfort your kitty in his or her times of need.
If you’re looking for ways to help lower or eliminate feelings of anxiety for your cat, read on. These easy-to-apply ideas will help you to ensure that your cat is as happy as possible at all times, no matter what is happening in his or her outer world.
What Causes Cat Anxiety?
Cats are relatively small creatures in a great big world, so it’s no wonder that they are nervous sometimes. Some cats rarely feel anxious and are comfortable wherever they go and no matter what happens, but others become jumpy at even the slightest movement or sound.
Some cats feel anxious when their human is nowhere in sight. Others demonstrate signs of anxiety when there are changes in their usual routine or environment. Some can even feel anxious as a result of a simple change in the weather (read more here about that).
Most cat owners know their cat well enough to know when he or she is uncomfortable. If you’re unsure about how your cat is feeling, observe him or her for a little while. If your cat is doing things like hiding, acting aggressively, vomiting, meowing more than usual, destroying furniture or curtains, following people around the house, or refusing to eat, then he or she may not be happy in the moment.
It’s up to you to figure out how your cat is feeling and how to make things better for him or her. As a cat parent, you will do whatever you can to make your kitty happier.
How to Relieve Anxiety in Cats
When it comes to cat anxiety, there are a number of simple things you can do to help make your furry companion feel more relaxed.
If the anxious behavior occurs when you are present, you can help put your cat’s mind at ease by giving him or her more attention. Gentle petting and loving accompanied by soft, calm, quiet words from you can make a world of difference. Play with your cat frequently for stimulation to help keep his or her mind off anxiety triggers; training them to do tricks can keep their minds sharp and busy as well.
On the other hand, if you feel that your cat experiences separation anxiety when you leave the house, you can improve your cat’s mood by improving his or her environment. Buy a variety of toys to keep your cat busy, and make sure that he or she can see out a window while you’re gone. Keeping your cat’s mind off your absence can help reduce cat anxiety immensely.
If these strategies don’t seem to work, talk to your veterinarian. There are a number of cat calming products on the market today that can help. Most include pheromones in a spray or diffuser form; these scents will help to soothe your kitty in ways beyond what you can offer.
A Calm Cat Is a Happy Cat
You want your cat to be happy, and your cat wants to be happy, too. You can help your cat to feel comfortable in your home and in his or her everyday life with just a few adjustments in the care you give and in your cat’s environment. Soon your cat will be back to him or herself, and you can enjoy enthusiastic purrs while rubbing a fuzzy belly. Good luck!
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