Importance

A grouchy cat is not just something to accept.  There may be an underlying problem.

• • Stress is an abnormal or extreme adjustment in physiology and/or behavior in response to prolonged or intense negative stimulation
  • Chronic stress can be harmful, may increase infection/disease, and/or delay wound healing
  • Continued stress can transition to distress, preventing the cat from achieving emotional balance
  •  Leads to changes in behavior such as: aggression, flight behavior, learned helplessness

Whether in a shelter setting or a single- or multi-cat household, the

feline population needs YOUR help to live a stress-free and healthy life!

What Stress Looks Like

Active Signs: dilated pupils, ears to the side or back against head, arched back or legs tucked under stomach, forceful movement, tail thumping, open mouth breathing, hissing/growling, spitting

Passive Signs: refusal to eat, restlessness, constant hiding, absence of grooming, social withdrawal, feigning sleep

Strategies and Products

• • SOUND: sound or white noise machines
  • SIGHT: window facing kennels, bird feeders/baths outside windows, Cat TV,               scheduled positive interactions, available safe space (hiding boxes)
  • SMELL: pheromones – Feliway®
  • TOUCH: scratching posts, puzzle toys
  • TASTE: treats

Tips

• • Gradually introduce new products
  • Rotate/switch products to keep interest
  • Do not overfeed treats
  • Have sound machines on low-medium volume

Body Language of Feline Anxiety                                  [Click on Image above to view larger]

Resources

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/fraidy-cat-how-to-recognize-signs-of-feline-fear-anxiety-and-stress/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.australiancatlover.com%2F2019%2F02%2Funderstanding-fear-stress-and-anxiety.html&psig=AOvVaw16yRMIPNO_KWmgc9-Dlc7w&ust=1624719103950000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCOCF3LuEs_ECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAh

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.battersea.org.uk%2Fpet-advice%2Fcat-advice%2Fcat-anxiety&psig=AOvVaw16yRMIPNO_KWmgc9-Dlc7w&ust=1624719103950000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCOCF3LuEs_ECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAz

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petmd.com%2Fcat%2Fconditions%2Fbehavioral%2Fc_ct_fear_phobia_anxiety&psig=AOvVaw16yRMIPNO_KWmgc9-Dlc7w&ust=1624719103950000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCOCF3LuEs_ECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAZ

https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/evr_ct_what-does-it-mean-when-a-cat-wags-tail

https://www.petguide.com/blog/cat/what-does-a-cats-arched-back-mean/

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fqph.fs.quoracdn.net%2Fmain-qimg-6067d2c4b88d1a6a0947008c67179432&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quora.com%2FWhy-does-my-cat-slink-down-when-walking-outside-He-s-normally-an-indoor-cat-during-the-winter-He-never-does-that-inside&tbnid=EJHsWwr5WAuvOM&vet=12ahUKEwjo7OSmirPxAhUKgVMKHboKA_MQMygGegUIARDDAQ..i&docid=5v3AmvxW7d827M&w=602&h=298&q=anxious%20cat%20walking&hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwjo7OSmirPxAhUKgVMKHboKA_MQMygGegUIARDDAQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.theanxiouspet.com%2Faging-and-general-health%2Fwhy-isnt-my-cat-jumping-any-more%2F&psig=AOvVaw0NHlIwTiT0J4SKjaPI9EC-&ust=1624720792340000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCICA2OaKs_ECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPsychogenic_alopecia&psig=AOvVaw3qjgcUFXoyDM_4eAE9Ws5C&ust=1624720852542000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCNDGyIGLs_ECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://www.dreamstime.com/cat-fearful-behavior-icon-signal-domestic-animal-pet-body-language-fear-anxiety-i-anxious-kitty-reaction-simple-symbol-image165745647