Dear Kitty…
Your cat questions answered by FixNation’s feline behaviorist, Mirian Hasani
Q: Is my cat stressed out because I’m stressed out?
If your cat seems to be acting up, stop and ask yourself, “Am I stressed out or anxious about something? Am I upset about something?” Oftentimes, the answer is YES.
We are all living in challenging times; the pandemic has drastically changed the behavior of humans. Many of us are home more than the usual and we have also changed our daily routines, so it is no surprise that our cats’ lives and routines have been disrupted. We need to remember that our home is also our cat’s territory and everything has changed for them too.
As a result, more and more cats are stressed because we are stressing over work, money and the future. Things that may not seem stressful to us, can be extremely stressful for our cat. Cats can definitely pick up on our emotional state and be affected by it. Have you ever noticed that when you are anxious or upset, your cat starts walking around, meowing louder and trying to get your attention?
Stress and anxiety are bad. They are bad for us and bad for our kitty friends too. It does not only impact their behavior, but it will also impact their health. When we are stressed out, we can expect the following feline behavior: restlessness, improper elimination, increased aggression, compulsive behaviors, overgrooming and increased vocalization. They don’t know why we are stressing, they just know that we are! They act up as a result of feeling a spike in our energy level.
If you feel your cat is stressed out, step back and think how you feel. If you know you are anxious, try and calm down with meditation, soft music, soothing herbal tea… If you are calm, you will transmit that energy to your cat!
Do not overwhelm your cat with attention and affection if you used to work eight or ten hours away from home and now you are home all the time. Your cat might be overstimulated by too much human interaction, one he is not used to. Give him a quiet place to go and some alone time. New toys, new structures to crawl and climb up and hide in will be very welcomed by your cat.
Do set up play sessions with your cat, they will be very beneficial for both of you. Your cat will enjoy it and you will too. It is a time to share some fun and love with your cat and forget all your worries for a little while.
There is no such things as a bad cat! Knowing and understanding cats’ behavior and how humans influence it is very important and it will help you to get a much better human-cat interaction and bond.
Mirian Hasani is a Certified Feline Trainer and Behavior Specialist based in Santa Monica. A longtime friend and supporter of FixNation, she spends a generous amount of time at the clinic working with frightened homeless kitties in need of some extra TLC.
