Anxiety in cats comes in many varieties. It can be triggered by particular noises or events, like thunderstorms or parties, changes in the environment, like the addition of another pet, or can be generalized to many things in your cat’s life. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy or possible to determine the exact reason a cat might be anxious. Moving boxes, new furniture or even a new laundry detergent scent can set off a cat.
Signs of anxiety in cats include excessive licking, going outside the litter box, aggression and hiding. Cats may have dilated (large) pupils and even pant when anxious. Many of these are also symptoms of medical conditions, for example, changes in a cat’s behavior can be due to elevated thyroid hormone or pain. Consult your veterinarian to make sure there is not something like a skin or urinary tract infection that can be easily cured, and if the signs your cat is showing are not easily correlated to a stressful situation or rapidly worsen, see your veterinarian right away.
Fortunately, there are ways to calm an anxious cat. Work with your veterinarian and try one of these options:
Offer Toys and Play Time
If your cat’s anxiety is over something that is transient, try and distract your cat. Offer toys that he likes, use interactive toys to play or do whatever you know your cat enjoys doing with you. If your cat likes to be brushed, give him a good grooming. This will help desensitize your cat to whatever is causing the anxiety. Instead of fearing the situation, your cat may be able to ignore the thing causing him stress.
Provide a Safe Haven
Remove your cat from the stressful situation and allow him to go somewhere comfortable. This could be a dark, quiet closet or high up on a shelf. If there is a noise driving your cat’s anxiety, playing classical or calming music in the room may help drown out the stressful sounds. This is known as avoidance and can be especially useful if you know something will cause your cat to become anxious. For example, when the lawn is being mowed, move your cat into room where he won’t hear or see what is going on.
Keep your cat in a separate room when having company over if that is a stressor for him. He will still know there are people in the house but won’t have to deal with them.
Try Calming Supplements
There are many types of calming supplements available to pet parents, and most contain at least one ingredient believed to calm cats. Cat calming treats might help. Even if supplements don’t completely cure your cat’s anxiety, they can be an important piece of the treatment.
Use Pheromones
FeliWay is a pheromone known to calm cats. It is available as a diffuser to help create a calm room, or as a collar that goes everywhere with your cat. Some cats are highly responsive to FeliWay while others are unaffected, but since there are no risks to your cat, there is no reason not to try
Double Down on Training
Help your kitty learn that whatever is causing him anxiety isn’t scary or worth worrying about. The first step is to pinpoint what your cat is anxious about (if you can’t, refer back to creating a safe haven). For example, if the vacuum is the source of stress, teach your cat to associate good things with the vacuum being out but not on yet. Put treats closer and closer to the vacuum until your cat either ignores or approaches the vacuum on his own. Next, turn on the vacuum while the cat is in the other room getting treats or another reward. Eventually your cat will associate the presence or sound of the vacuum with treats instead of fear, which is called counterconditioning.
Give Him an Appropriate Outlet
Cats scratch for many reasons. One reason is to reduce stress. A scratching post in the right size and location for your cat can offer him a place to relieve some of his stress. Scratching posts should be large enough that your cat can fully stretch out on or against it. Some cats prefer vertical posts while others prefer horizontal ones. There are many varieties of sizes, types and materials of cat trees available. It may take a few different offerings to find the one your cat likes best.
Consider Medication
If you have tried everything and your cat is still anxious or his anxiety is worsening, talk to your veterinarian about medication. Some diseases can cause a cat to become more anxious, while other cats may need medication to relieve their anxiety. Making the decision to give your cat a daily anxiety pill should not be taken lightly, but it is an important option to consider if anxiety is affecting your cat’s quality of life.
Veterinary behaviorists are available for cats with severe anxiety and for families who need extra help reducing their cat’s anxiety. Your veterinarian will know who to refer to you locally.
Behavioral problems like anxiety can be frustrating and are the most common reason cats are relinquished. But remember that as much as you don’t want your cat to be anxious, your cat doesn’t want to be anxious. Seek out help before you both get frustrated.