Although relatively autonomous, our cat friends are compassionate and can easily get stressed out by situations they consider abnormal (moving house, visiting the vet, weekend absence). Like all other stresses, this stress is often visible if you pay attention to specific changes in behavior, a very cynical attitude, and a lack of life. How, then, to help your cat? What would be the most effective anti-stress cat solution?

STRESSED CAT: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

There can be different symptoms of your cat's discomfort, but sometimes it isn't easy to detect them.

Here is a small list that can give you a flea in your ear:

-Withdrawal of your cat on itself. he is very distant from you;

-less tolerant of people;

-more reluctant to use the litter box, go through the cat flap, sit on your lap;

-eat or drink less or, on the contrary, eat too much;

-scratch the furniture;

-excessively meows;

-hiss or growl;

-he looks tense;

-exaggerated swallowing or licking of the nose;

-vomiting or diarrhea;

-sleeping troubles;

-paces, circles or is agitated;

-a messy or matted coat;

-the heresy of the house;

-excessive grooming;

If you recognize yourself in this list, then read the rest of our article.

MOST EFFECTIVE CAT ANTI-STRESS: REMOVE THE SOURCE OF STRESS

Starting with this chapter, "removing the source of stress" may seem futile and superficial evidence... but if you think about it, killing the source of stress is the best anti-stress solution. However, to do so, two prerequisites:

First, what is my cat's source of stress?

Can I delete it or reduce it?

IDENTIFYING YOUR CAT'S SOURCE OF STRESS

There may be apparent sources of your furry friend's stress, such as a move or separation, but it can be much more subtle.

You also have to remember that it can have been going on for a while when you notice your cat is stressed.

To help you, here are some events that can justify excessive stress.

AN ENVIRONMENT WITH NOT ENOUGH FELINE MAKES THE HOUSE UNATTRACTIVE

Remember that your cat is often alone, and if he can't go out, he has to take care of himself. So he needs a clean and safe environment.

Our solutions :

-A clean litter box of sufficient size, located in a quiet environment (if you cannot clean the litter box regularly, opt for a self-cleaning litter box);

-Food and clean water;

-A place in height to be able to take refuge and feel safe;

-A view to the outside to avoid boredom;

-Games, be it balls, mice, or lasers.

A MOVE OR CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Whether your cat arrives at your home for the first time or you have moved, you must reassure your cat to welcome it properly. For this, we recommend our excellent article: welcoming a kitten.

In the changes of environment, we can also include the transformation of decoration or the addition/removal of a room. In this case, make sure that your cat can find its bearings, namely its "toilet" area, its meal area, and its play area, without forgetting its height fallback area.

OTHER ANIMALS: COHABITATION AND COMPETITION

The situation can be difficult if your cat arrives in a home with other animals (especially dogs) or you introduce new friends after him. Don't worry. We have solutions in our cat-dog cohabitation article.

It can also happen that your cat competes with the other cats in the house. Make sure he can have a place of his own, primarily to rest without fear of an attack. If the situation is impossible, it is possible to dedicate environments to different cats by using cat flaps that only let your cat in after detecting its chip.

A CHANGE OF ROUTINE, GUESTS, A NEWBORN…

A cat is like a child, and he does not like changes. However, a change in habits, such as a newborn or a change in basic routine (change in working hours), can mean a drop in your attention or affection for your cats.

If you have changed your habits (working hours, for example), play with your cat before leaving and show him that you have not forgotten him when you return. If you can't give him more attention (as in the case of birth), follow the advice of our article my cat is bored.

In case your cat is stressed by your guests, you must leave him in a high place where he can hide and wait for it to happen. Also, be careful that children do not disturb it.