Stress in cats and cats 🐈 causes and treatment

The life of a cat does not always go well. The reasons for the nervousness, stress or aggression of a furry animal are different. Any manifestation of stress in a cat is a danger signal. An animal with this condition needs help, because the consequences of an unbalanced emotional context can manifest themselves in the form of serious health problems.

Common Causes of Stress in Cats

Stress is a psychological reaction in response to a negative change in living conditions. A pet living in love and in a calm and stable environment rarely experiences emotional upheaval. However, any factor that violates its measured lifespan can cause severe suppression or, conversely, hyperactivity.

The tension that occurs in the nervous system manifests at the physical, psycho-emotional and behavioral levels. The reasons that cause stress in a cat can be associated with a change of environment, diseases, physiological changes, irritants in the environment.

Relocation

A change of house is one of the most stressful factors for cats. The familiar atmosphere and odors are a guarantee of safety for the animal. When moving, a new place of residence is perceived by the animal as a potential threat. It takes time and effort to get to know the new territory. If during this period you do not surround the cat with care, attention and familiar objects, the risk of a stressful situation is very high.

Emotional

Stress in a cat can cause strong emotions. The reasons for their appearance lie in the circumstances of life. Desire initiates the departure or change of owner, conflicts in the house, the surrender of the animal to overexposure. A visit to the clinic with a veterinarian is associated with danger and is alarming. The situation is made worse if previous visits to the veterinary hospital were associated with pain and negative emotions.

Signs of stress can occur in a pet if a new four-legged neighbor appears in the family. Not all cats perceive a dog correctly in the house, it can be difficult to get along with two cats on the same territory. Stress in a cat can take the form of jealousy, rejection, protest, caution. One reason for a wave of emotions may be swimming, haircutting, participating in the exhibition.

Diseases and physiology

Psychological susceptibility increases during pregnancy and feeding kittens. All the attention of the cat is aimed at preserving the offspring, so that any potentially dangerous factor is perceived very strongly by it. It leaves a imprint and a temporary physical insolvency of a pregnant woman, when she cannot fully ensure her safety.

Special causes include illness. Any blow to health affects the psychological state. The animal becomes physically and emotionally more vulnerable. The inability to cope alone due to physical inferiority introduces the cat into stress. Even problems such as fleas, ticks, worms, fungal dermatitis can cause itching, increased irritability or, conversely, severe depression.

If the animal experiences pain or discomfort due to illness, the risk of stress increases considerably.

External factors 

External causes include home repairs, outside noise, furniture changes, parties with large numbers of guests. Excessive shock, strong smells, sharp sounds, all these affect the cat's nervous system, causing a state of stress. The situation is aggravated if in such an environment the owner does not have enough time for the attention and affection of the animal. Even an unpleasant short-term side effect can cause fear in the animal. And if the irritant factor is repeated, nervousness is guaranteed.

Symptoms of stress

You can discover that the cat is in an unbalanced psychological state by characteristic signs. Specialists distinguish three phases of stress in a cat: anxiety, resistance and exhaustion. Each stage is characterized by a certain force of manifestation and its own symptoms of stress.

First stage

In the presence of a stressor, the cat begins to experience anxiety. This step often goes unnoticed by careless owners.

However, with close contact with the animal, you can still notice the first signs of stress. During this period, the cat has:

• - reduced body temperature;
• - lower blood pressure;
• - heart palpitations;
• - frequent shallow breathing;
• - trembling of the whole body or of its individual parts;
• - change in appetite and taste preferences;
• - improved licking of the coat;
• - abundant salivation;
• - apathy or, conversely, aggression;
• - meowing, hissing or other frequent sounds;
• - involuntary urination;
• - ignore the toilet tray;
• - diarrhea or periodic constipation.

These signs of stress can occur together or be combined in different combinations.

Second step

The resistance phase (counter-action) is associated with the body's attempts to return to a physiologically normal state. If at this point the host has recognized the cause of the stress over time and the stimulus has been eliminated, the symptoms will gradually disappear. The functioning of all body systems is restored and the psycho-emotional context returns to balance.

If stress continues to affect the animal, the body tries to adapt to it. Energy consumption becomes more economical compared to the first stage. There are changes at the endocrine and hormonal levels. Externally, it may seem that the cat is used to the situation and is not in pain. In reality, the metabolism changes dramatically in the body at this time and the third phase of stress begins.

Third step

The constant stay of the cat in stress leads to the exhaustion of the vital reserves of the body. Functional systems cannot cope with increased load. The lack of proteins, fats, carbohydrates causes an increase in the consumption of their own reserves. In this context, general exhaustion begins. The signs of stress at this stage are complete apathy, constant passivity, marked loss of appetite. The animal quickly loses weight, dystrophy begins.

Chronic stress

A constant or recurrent stressor brings the cat into a state of chronic stress. The animal changes its behavior, there are signs of physiological disturbances. The animal tries to hide in an isolated place where no one can disturb it. Loneliness is accompanied by increased drowsiness, weakness, a reluctance to play and to show any activity. At the same time, a cat can react inappropriately and even aggressively to loud and unexpected sounds.

Attacks on gluttony or, conversely, ignorance of food also indicate a chronic process in progress. Cats often start marking a house, leaving puddles in different rooms or even near a bowl. Thus, the animal tries to express its dissatisfaction or its fear.

Biochemical changes in the body contribute to hair loss. This is accompanied by an excessive desire for hygiene, which causes the cat to constantly lick itself. As a result of prolonged neurosis, bald spots appear on the body, the hair weakens and becomes thinner.

What is stress for cats?

It is scientifically proven that many serious disorders in the body of an animal begin against a background of fear and nervous disorders. Practice confirms, for example, that a phenomenon as rare as pulmonary edema occurs precisely in the context of a strong mental shock.

Anorexia

Refusal of food causes a lack of nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the body. First, the digestive system is altered. Insufficient nutrition causes dysfunctions of the stomach, intestines and liver. The risk of gastritis, ulcers, skin diseases increases. Persistent stress threatens complete exhaustion. Lack of nutrients triggers cellular catabolism. After full consumption of fat reserves, the breakdown of body proteins begins. The animal becomes painfully thin.

Cystitis

The urogenital system in cats, as in other living organisms, is subject to neurohumoral regulation. The nervous system inhibition processes contribute to poor urination. Following a nervous breakdown, the animal may miss the opportune urge to go to the toilet. In the presence of concomitant factors, urinary retention in the bladder promotes the development of the bacterial flora. This often causes cystitis. In such a situation, it is necessary to treat not only the nervous system of the cat, but also inflammation of the bladder.

Constipation

Often in motion, the appearance of a new tenant in the house, overexposure causes physiological constipation in a cat. One of the common consequences of stress in a cat is intestinal motility disorder. Chronic constipation, in turn, is dangerous colic, obstruction of the intestinal tract, inflammation.

In some cases, stress in a cat improves gastrointestinal motility and manifests itself in the form of diarrhea.

Other consequences

Neurosis strikes the immune system, which provides protection against viruses, pathogenic bacteria and fungi. This is especially dangerous for small kittens who, due to their age and until the end of vaccination, are less resistant to various infections.

Neuroses threaten the cardiovascular system of the cat. Heart palpitations, a sudden rush of blood due to attacks of fear, an increase in blood pressure contribute to the development of heart and vascular diseases. As a result, the body's general blood supply is disrupted.

Can a cat die from stress

Many owners do not attach great importance to the fears of cats, considering them as temporary and not dangerous phenomena. In the first and second stages, when stress in a cat manifests itself in the form of behavioral and physiological symptoms, there is no threat to life. However, the third stage of neurosis is considered to be extremely dangerous for the animal. A metabolic disorder leads to a complete exhaustion of the body's internal reserves. A prolonged pathological process ignored by the owner is dangerous.

Treatment of stress in cats

To get a cat out of stress, a set of measures is necessary. It includes psychological assistance from the owner and medication. Most often, non-hormonal stress sedatives are used in therapy. But first of all, it is necessary to identify the cause and, if possible, remove or reduce the impact of the stressor.

Psychological and behavioral therapy

The technique is to increase attention to the animal and the use of games. Zoopsychologists recommend using the distraction method. The owner’s task is to shift the cat’s attention from the object of stress to the toy. It is more practical to use interactive moving objects in such a situation.

Another technique is immersion, it is considered more complex. Real stress conditions are created for the animal, but the situation is under control. Such a switch helps to level the symptoms of a previous disorder. But this method requires care and scrupulous respect on the part of humans, otherwise the condition of the animal can only get worse.

Training helps relieve stress. The artificial creation of obstacles and difficulties to overcome physically forces the cat to mobilize its forces. If it is impossible to eliminate the cause of the stress (for example, cancel the move), it is worthwhile to surround the animal with care and affection. Petting frequently, talking with your pet, offering your favorite treats helps you get through the adjustment period faster.

Medical assistance

The modern assortment of drugs used for neurosis in cats includes sedatives, vitamins and pheromone preparations. They are available in the form of drops, aerosols, tablets. In pet stores you can find special collars with anti-stress impregnation

The atidepressant effect has:

• Bach flowers. A set of homeopathic plant extracts with different effects. To relieve stress, essences of reposhka, aspen, clematis, poultry and other plants are recommended.
• Stop the stress. The sedative contains phenibut and extracts of peony, skullcap, motherwort, mint, hops, valerian. Biologically active substances normalize brain function.
• Bayan cat. Natural remedy against the stress of medicinal plants: mint, valerian, sweet clover, oregano, thyme, lemon balm. Available in tablet and liquid form.
• B vitamins. They improve the conduction of nerve impulses and contribute to the normalization of the psychosomatic state. Vitamins do not cure, but provide good support for anti-stress medications.

At home, it is easy to prepare phyto-infusions and soothing herbal decoctions (oregano, mint, lemon balm). The essential oils of plants are used as aromas of the room in which the cat is located. The best effect is possessed by lavender, neroli, mint, bergamot esters.

Prevention of feline stress

It is impossible to completely protect the furry animal from unpleasant factors. But it is in the human power to prepare the animal for possible stress. Prevention should start when the kitten has just appeared in the house. For this, the animal creates various non-standard situations. But they must always be checked by the owner. Traveling together, meeting new people, communicating with animal brothers - all of this expands the emotional sphere of a cat.

Good stress prevention for cats is constant communication. At the same time, the games and the caresses should not be against the will of the animal, because that provokes protests and dissatisfaction in him. Any trip, grooming event, move, noisy vacation must be preceded by a preparation. This can be the dosed use of a sedative, a preliminary acquaintance with people or a new place.

Subject to all prevention rules, you can prevent the development of neurosis in a pet. If, however, a critical situation arises, urgent action should be taken with the first symptoms of stress. Psychological assistance combined with official therapy can relieve symptoms and relieve stress.