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+91-7945023371Cats show stress through changes in behavior, appetite, grooming, and bathroom habits—recognizing these signs early can help prevent serious health issues.
Cats are sensitive animals, and even small changes in their environment can trigger stress. While some signs are subtle, others can impact your cat’s physical health if left unaddressed.
Understanding the signs of stress in cats can help you step in early and support your cat’s well-being.
When cats are experiencing stress, they tend to be more vocal. The sounds a cat makes deliver precise messages about her condition. As such, when your cat is stressed, she may make sounds that indicate distress. These include:
Meows and yowls may be a cry for help—your cat is attempting to get your attention. Hissing and growling are sounds cats naturally make when they feel threatened, and these sounds serve to warn other animals to stay away.
Grooming behaviors release endorphins into a cat’s body, which can increase feelings of contentment and happiness. Stressful situations may drive cats to perform these grooming behaviors to feel better. But overgrooming can lead to further skin irritation—and an increased desire to lick.
Initially, your cat may need to wear a soft recovery collar to make it harder for her to overgroom.
Always consult your cat’s veterinarian before introducing new medications or supplements into your pet’s diet.
One of the most common signs of stress in cats is urinating outside the litter box. Cats usually do this because the smell of their own urine is comforting for them, and litter absorbs the smell.
Cats may also spray onto vertical surfaces to mark their territory. This marking behavior can also be comforting to cats when they are stressed.
But urinating outside of the litter box can also have medical causes, such as urinary tract infections, stones or crystals in the urinary tract, or underlying kidney issues. So if your cat begins peeing outside the litter box, talk to your veterinarian to address any potential health concerns before focusing on stress-reduction measures.
When a cat is in a stressful situation, she may lash out to protect herself when she feels her safety is at risk.
In addition to hissing and growling, aggression in cats can look like:
But like urinating outside of the litter box, aggression can also have medical causes, such as cognitive decline in older cats or painful conditions like arthritis or dental disease. A veterinary visit is an important first step to take before implementing any new medications, supplements, or environmental changes to address the aggression.
While some cats may lash out when threatened, other cats may hide when they feel stressed and vulnerable.
A cat may protect herself when she’s experiencing emotional and mental strain by refusing to engage with other members of the household. Do not disturb your cat if she’s hiding, because this may worsen her stress.
Although it’s natural for cats to sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, a further reduction in your cat’s activity level may indicate she’s feeling stressed.
Similar to hiding, increased sleeping and lower activity levels are a way for your cat to cope with stress by removing herself from an overwhelming situation. Because stress also places a high demand on your cat’s body, she may sleep more to help her body recover from this physical strain.
Along with a lower activity level, your cat may not want to eat when stressed. This is because cortisol (a stress hormone) is released into the body, which suppresses her appetite and may even cause nausea. And when she’s sleeping more, she may also have less energy to get up to eat and drink.
Stress can lead to inflammation in a cat’s digestive system. This means your cat is more likely to vomit and have diarrhea when experiencing stress.
If your cat is showing signs of a low appetite, low water intake, diarrhea, or vomiting, schedule a veterinary visit. Other medical conditions that can cause these symptoms, and they need to be ruled out.
Content Credits: Hannah Hart, DVM Veterinarian
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