After a long, busy festive period, many of us are looking for ways to relax! Stress, anxiety, and frustration are all feelings that affect our kitties, just like they impact us. In fact, it has been proven that anxiety can even worsen or cause medical issues in cats. That's why we've put together some of our top tips to help our feline friends to find their zen and keep calm...
Spotting Signs of Stress
Signs of stress can look different for all cats. Below are some common signs that your cat could be stressed. If you are unsure, it is always best to consult your vet incase there are any underlying health issues your cat could be struggling with.
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Less frequent toilet trips or difficulty urinating
- Excessive coat shedding or bald patches
- Excessive grooming or scratching
- Isolating themselves
- Becoming aggressive towards you or other animals
- Urinating outside of the litter tray or in unusual places
- Meowing more frequently and for seemingly no reason
- Lack of response to their surroundings
- Loss of interest in their favourite food, toys or games
- Refusal to go outside
- Pacing around
- Acting lethargically, or sleeping more
Ways to Calm Your Cat
- Create a safe space. Designate a room or area of your home that contains all the things your kitty needs to feel secure and comfortable. Include things such as furry beds, blankets, their favourite toy and a cardboard box. Make sure that everyone in your home knows this is your cat’s area, and to try and not disturb it. Cats often prefer closed off or dark spaces, so have a look for a cat house or pod that provides your cat with this environment, our Cat Baskets are ideal. Some cats also feel safer if they’re high up, as they can easily keep an eye on all their surroundings. Try putting a cushion or bed on top of your wardrobe, or a high piece of furniture. Just make sure it’s easy for your cat to climb up there.
- Try calming music. Research has found that music is a great tool to use for calming our kitty’s nerves. Of course, not all music is appropriate, which is why we've picked out our favourite calming kitty playlist here.
- Use calming products. There are lots of products like sprays or diffusers that have a calming effect for your cat. These typically work by releasing pheromones, which are natural chemicals your kitty releases when they feel happy. Different pheromones can be used to help with different issues, so make sure to look for one specifically designed for calming. For an alternative, you can try using a natural herb called valerian which also works for humans too.