If your cat is open to it, you could take your cat with you on vacation to prevent separation anxiety, unless the traveling aspect is going to be even more stressful! Alternatively, ensure your cat has a good pet sitter that they trust, or book them into a comfy cat hotel where they will receive plenty of reassurance and fuss. If you are planning a long vacation, you should expect some cat anxiety symptoms to develop. Historically, cats that are regularly transferred from one owner to another are the most susceptible to separation anxiety. In this condition, cats become stressed and anxious when they are left alone or when you are no longer visible. As the name suggests, it is related to separation. Separation anxiety belongs to the situational category and is considered to be one of the most widespread mental health issues in cats. Let’s delve deeper and take a look at some of the most common types of anxiety in cats. In generalized anxiety, a cat is in a constant state of anxiousness, no matter what the circumstances are. These are among the more common signs of anxiety in cats. When the owners are away, these cats will often over-groom themselves, hide away, or destroy things in the home. These can include being left alone, visiting a veterinarian, or traveling.Ĭats with this type of anxiety may also become extra clingy with their owners. In situational anxiety, the anxious behavior is triggered under certain circumstances. It’s important to accurately work out the reason for your cat’s anxiety so you can eradicate any environmental stressors that may be exacerbating the issue. Joint pain is another common indicator of an anxious cat. Senior cats are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, as they begin to experience memory problems or dementia. It can develop as a result of pain or illness, exposure to something toxic, or infectious diseases that affect the nervous system. Health ProblemsĪccording to recent medical data, health problems are the most common reason for cat anxiety. This is particularly true of the more interactive breeds such as Siamese and Ragdoll cats. If you are an introverted pet owner, this can also lead to cat anxiety because most cats need some sort of social interaction. Psychological ChangesĪ previous painful or traumatic experience can lead to your cat developing anxiety. The addition of a new pet or family member can also make your cat anxious. For example, environmental changes in a cat’s surroundings may trigger anxiety, such as relocating to a new home or revamping the current home. Overwhelming situations or certain stimuli can play a significant role in the development of anxiety in cats. So, a cat suffering from anxiety is prone to developing behavioral problems such as urinating outside of the litter box. The physical signs of anxiety in cats include vomiting and urinary issues but they can also cause emotional distress. Remember, that this danger may not be real, but it can still lead to a physical response in your feline. However, anxiety is mainly due to the anticipation of some perceived threat. See our article Can Cats Have Panic Attacks for more information.Ĭat anxiety symptoms can vary and may occur for different reasons. Saying that, if you suddenly notice your cat is freaking out for no apparent reason, then that’s something to worry about because it could be a sign of anxiety. Let’s face it, our little furbabies give us countless moments of joy and laughter but their erratic behaviors can make it difficult to assess their mental health! They roam around at home like they own the place, and they dive at a toy before dashing out of the room. On the other hand, depression is caused by past experiences.Ĭats can seem unpredictable in their moods and behaviors. In general terms, anxiety is associated with a fear of futuristic events which may or may not happen. If you’re curious about whether cats can sense depression in humans, check out our article on this here: Can Cats Sense Depression and Anxiety?. In fact, they are two of the most common but distinct mental health problems in cats (and humans!). Anxiety is generally confused with depression, but they are not the same thing. The Difference Between Cat Anxiety & Depressionīefore we start our discussion on cat anxiety, let me clarify something. Although cat anxiety symptoms can vary among individual animals, most of the time, the major signs are the same. It is therefore essential for every cat owner to know the signs of cat anxiety. This can severely impact the well-being and health of your feline companion. The problem with this is that anxiety can worsen over time if it is not dealt with. Their mental problems can be mistaken for physical ones so it often gets missed or wrongly diagnosed. Cats are sensitive animals that can fall prey to anxiety easily.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |