Does my cat have anxiety (the signs you need to know)?

Anxiety can be an all too familiar feeling for a person struggling with a stressful situation or battling a series of emotional life events.

While we’re able to talk our issues through with a loved one or seek professional help, it’s not that simple for our beloved felines.

They can’t pick up the phone and ask you to come home if they’re scared, and they won’t come out and tell you if something in their life is worrying them. 

That doesn’t mean cat anxiety isn’t a real condition though. It’s very real, and it can be extremely serious. 

Anxiety in pets can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms — some subtle, some more obvious. We, as pet parents, need to be alert to these signs, because the longer the issue goes untreated, the more far-reaching the long-term health implications can be.  

Imagining our felines suffering from anxiety isn’t nice. What we need to remember though is that it is a perfectly normal emotion. The key is how we deal with it. 

Cat anxiety can affect all breeds at all ages, but it may impact each individual cat in a different way. Some felines are highly sensitive, easily triggered by the smallest disruption to their routine. Others are better at taking everything in their stride, seemingly meowing their way through life without a care in their world. 

Nonetheless, even the calmest cat can still suffer from stress, and it’s vital we’re able to pinpoint the reason behind their uneasiness before the situation worsens. 

A common cause of cat anxiety is an undiagnosed illness or injury, which over time can begin to affect their behavior. Psychological triggers are just as common, possibly stemming from a traumatic experience or neglect at a previous household.  We can’t ignore the debilitating effect of aging either. As cats enter their later years, dementia and joint pains are just two potential sources of anxiety we need to be wary of.

On top of all this, there’s all the environmental factors to consider, too – moving home, new baby, new pet. 

The causes of cat anxiety are wide-ranging, which is why we need to be extra vigilant in detecting the early signs.

Once you think you’ve figured out the root cause(s) of their anxiety, eliminating it or helping your cat slowly adapt will more often than not result in seeing them return to normal. 

We would always recommend providing your felines with a safe space in the house – somewhere they can retreat to and relax if things start getting on top of them.  This could be their very own room, or easier access to a place up high where they can disappear for an hour or so. 

If, in spite of your best attempts, your stressed out feline doesn’t appear to be calming down, medical assistance should be sought. 

A trip to the vets can be a huge source of anxiety in itself for our felines, so you will need to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Ensure they are comfortable with the carrier by leaving it out in the house beforehand in order for them to get used to it. Place their favorite toy in there and take healthy treats with you. They may need enticing out of the carrier once at the vets, and rewarding them once their check-up has been completed certainly won’t do any harm in anticipation of any return visits.

Dealing with an anxious cat can be a highly stressful time for pet parents, too. The trick is to remain patient. 

Spend a bit more time with them. It could simply be that they’re craving attention. Even if that’s not the case, it may provide you with a better opportunity to identify what’s troubling them. 

Our ‘How To Make Your Cat Feel More Secure And Safe At Home‘ article is a fantastic starting point for anybody looking to make their home a more cat friendly environment.