Cats have always been the symbol of Zen and independence. But sometimes, we forget that our kitties can become stressed, too. The good news is stress can be fixed with some environmental tweaking. If your cat has been feeling tense lately, here are eight ways to help.
The 8 Ways to Help a Cat With Stress
1. Catify the Space
One of the best ways to help your cat go from stressed to serene is to “catify” the space. By this, we mean turning the area into a cat paradise.
Fill the room with cat trees and scratchers for climbing and clawing. Open a window, add a catnip plant, or perhaps a cat water fountain. Make the space an area where your cat feels comfortable and at peace.
Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher</strong></a> is a functional and stylish design that makes it the ultimate scratching spot for your cat – and a superhero in the battle against furniture destruction. Unlike most cat toys that end up being ignored, this one's a crowd-pleaser for both cats and their hoomans.</p>
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<p>With its 3 configurations, thick textured cardboard, and solid birch plywood frame, it encourages your cat's natural scratching instincts, so they stay away from your precious furniture, rugs, and curtains, among all other things they shouldn't scratch. The <a href=https://www.catster.com/guides/ways-to-help-a-cat-with-stress/"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG53J62B?tag=ec-content-hi-lo-scratcher-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1%22>Hi-Lo is like your home's mini guardian, keeping it safe while looking super sleek and trendy.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #999999;"><em>At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!</em></span></p>"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":332739,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":7184107},"9":0,"10":0,"11":4,"12":0,"15":"Helvetica Neue","19":0,"21":0}"> The Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher is a functional and stylish design that makes it the ultimate scratching spot for your cat – and a superhero in the battle against furniture destruction. Unlike most cat toys that end up being ignored, this one's a crowd-pleaser for both cats and their hoomans.
With its 3 configurations, thick textured cardboard, and solid birch plywood frame, it encourages your cat's natural scratching instincts, so they stay away from your precious furniture, rugs, and curtains, among all other things they shouldn't scratch. The Hi-Lo is like your home's mini guardian, keeping it safe while looking super sleek and trendy.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
2. Be Near Your Cat
As cat owners, we’re the only constant in our cats’ lives. Cats often feel stressed when their daily routine is disrupted, so it helps to see a familiar face. Playing with your cat, petting, or being near can be enough for your cat to feel safe in an insecure environment.
3. Try a Synthetic Pheromone
If you haven’t tried Feliway before, we recommend giving it a shot. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone that mimics a mother cat’s pheromones. These pheromones help calm baby kittens, but Feliway acts the same way for adult cats by reducing fear and anxiety.
4. Offer Something Enticing for Dinner
A good meal can change everything when you’re having a bad day. If your cat is tense, try offering something enticing, like wet food. The sound of the can opener will put your cat in a good mood and may be willing to come out of hiding.
5. Separate Pets
Throwing two pets together without proper introductions can quickly lead to fights. Even pets that know each other can quickly become aggressive if both are in new territory.
However, slow introductions will help maintain peace and usher in change at a more manageable pace. Separate your pets and allow them to learn about each other through scent and occasional meet and greets.
6. Leave Your Cat Be
Sometimes, being left alone is all your pet wants. Give your cat space and allow it to come to you when it’s ready. The peace and quiet help your cat collect its feelings without feeling overwhelmed.
7. Medication
High-stress situations like long-distance moves, new pets, and new babies can sometimes be too much for cats, and Feliway and wet food just don’t cut it. Anti-anxiety medicines or CBD can help take the edge off much faster than other methods because they’re more potent.
If you’re in a situation where your cat must stay calm for a specified period of time, medication may be the best option.
8. Check Your Stress Levels
Your cat may not pick up on a stranger’s stress levels, but animals are keen on their owners’ feelings. If you feel stressed and overwhelmed, your cat is likely absorbing some of that stress out of sympathy.
Conclusion
Cats are hard to read, so we don’t always know when they’re stressed. Thankfully, cats don’t need much to feel stress-free. All they need is a little love from their owners and time to adjust. With the tips found in this list, you can help your cat feel Zen in no time.
Featured Image Credit: Simone Hogan, Shutterstock
