Here are some signs that your cat may be stressed out.
It can be scary when you begin to notice that your feline friend is acting differently than they normally do. However, with cats, it can sometimes to be hard to tell if something is wrong or if that’s just their normal behavior. Cats can get stressed out for multiple reasons, but it’s especially important to pay attention to the signs if you are involved in some sort of transition (i.e moving out or a new animal in the home). Here are some signs that your cat may be stressed out.
Not Using the Litter Box
It doesn’t take much time to train your cat to use a litter box because of their natural instincts. With that being said, if your cat is urinating outside of the litter box, they are typically trying to tell you something. If nothing is out of the ordinary, you may want to try cleaning out the litter box.
Excessive Grooming
It is normal for your cat to clean themselves multiple times a day. However, if you notice that your cat is licking themselves to a point where the skin becomes raw or they begin balding, then it can be a sign of stress. You want to take your cat to the vet if you notice this occurring.
Isolation
Unlike dogs, cats appreciate their alone time away from their owners and in various hiding spots. While this is normal behavior, constantly hiding from you and everyone else can be a bad sign. If your cat isn’t being social at all and is always avoiding contact, it can be a sign of stress.
Vocalization
Cats use meows and other sounds to communicate with us when they need something or when they just want to be heard. It becomes a concern when they begin vocalizing excessively more than they usually do. If this occurs, they are trying to let you know that something is wrong. When stressed, their meows also tend to sound more panicked.
Decreased Appetite
When you’ve had your feline friend for a while, you typically pick up on their eating habits and how much they consume on a daily basis. If you notice a sudden decrease in appetite, this could mean that your cat is stressed out. It could also be a sign of a health problem, so either way, it’s best to go to the vet.
Increased Sleep
A healthy cat can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, but every cat is different. If your cat seems to always be asleep on a regular basis, then you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if you notice that your cat is sleeping way more than they normally do, this could be because of and illness contributing to their stress. It is always important to schedule an appointment with your vet to determine if your cat is experiencing medical or behavioral stress.
Contact Catonsville Cat Clinic Today!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
You can get in touch with the Catonsville Cat Clinic by giving us a call at 410-869-0800 or visiting our contact page. For more updates and advice, be sure to follow our Facebook and Twitter!