Shaking like a leaf in the carrier

Recognizing stress in your cat

With big eyes hidden behind the refrigerator or with a thick tail wrapped in a stare down with the neighbor cat. Cats can experience stress in all kinds of ways. Short-term stress is not a problem. That's even part of the survival instinct. But a cat that is in survival mode for weeks or months at a time will sooner or later have problems with that.

In this blog you can read how to recognize stress in your cat and how to make your fluffy roommate enviously relaxed again.

What causes cats stress?

Stress can have many causes.
Because cats attach themselves to their environment, a move often brings stress. But something as small as new furniture can be cause for panic in some cats. Tension with other pets, the arrival of a baby, unfamiliar smells or a disruption of the routine are also triggers for stress. On the other hand, a lack of challenge can lead to boredom. Cats that cannot show their natural behavior, and are stressed out in the long run.

How to recognize stress in your cat
Cats are indoor greasers. They don't just show that they don't feel well. Nevertheless, you can recognize stress. The most important indication that your cat is not comfortable in his coat is that he shows different behavior than usual. In addition, these are different manifestations of stress in cats:

Growling, hissing, blowing, panting or screaming
Reacting aggressively to people or other pets
Peeing outside the litter box
Obsessive washing, sometimes until bald spots appear
Hiding or exhibiting extremely passive behavior

Of course, these manifestations of stress can also indicate a medical condition. Therefore, always consult with your veterinarian first to know for sure what is going on with your cat.

Reduce or prevent stress in your cat

Already in the first weeks of kitten life, cats learn to deal with stress and anxious situations.
The best way to avoid stress is to introduce kittens to many different people, environments, sounds and smells during this stage of socialization. This teaches the cat to better deal with stressful situations later in life.

Unfortunately, it's not always possible to raise your kitten from the start. Then the best option is to find out the cause of the stress and solve it. For example, provide a safe place where your cat can retreat if he experiences stress. In addition, playing helps to reduce stress. Have your cat hunt a feather on a fishing rod or a toy mouse to put him in a positive mood.

Finally, try to let your roommate slowly get used to a new situation. If you have a baby, you can already introduce your cat to the new stuff. Also try to imitate the new situation, for example by having friends come along with a baby. This way your cat learns that a baby is not a threat. You can do this with anything new.

Cat Steri-Fit

Complete premium food for adult cats with a tendency to be overweight or sterilized.

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Nutrition and stress in cats

Stress quickly hits the bladder in cats.
Prevent bladder problems by feeding your cat food that supports urinary health. The Fokker Steri-Fit makes the urine more acidic to prevent the formation of bladder grit (struvite stones). The cranberry in these chunks ensures that bacteria do not get the chance to grow in the bladder. Or our new Fokker Steri-FIt Skin & Coat. Just like the regular Steri-Fit ensures to prevent bladder grit and this kibble is very suitable for cats that need an extra impulse for a healthy skin and coat. In addition, all Fokker cat food contains a lot of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which help reduce stress.