Stressed-out ! When Pets Are Stressed...

Pets, like humans, can and do become stressed, anxious & depressed. I know this because I had a very neurotic cat. She was so lovely but definitely borderline unstable!

Needless to say, stress affects their behaviour, mental & physical well being. It can disrupt their daily routine, which of course is essential for our beloved cats. Problems resulting from stress can range from urine infections and bleeds, litter tray avoidance & messing elsewhere, to aggression & withdrawal in extreme cases.

But what causes stress in cats?
Cats can be very susceptible to stress and anxiety due to various factors. These include a change in their/your routine or environment, moving house, new family members & other pets. The best way in which to deal with a cat prone to stress is to prepare before every potential disturbing event carefully & considerately.

When introducing a new family member into the home - whether human or animal - it is best to just let the cat come round in its own time & not to force or rush the issue. (Needless to say, extra care should be taken if the new member of the family is a baby!) Your pet cat will either accept the situation or not; there is undoubtedly no excuse for them being punished or dumped in the latter case, and careful consideration should be taken to any course of action.

Moving house is traumatic for all & this should be done with the smallest of disruption possible to your pet cat's routine. Bring your cat into a secure room with their belongings, food and litter tray whilst you unpack. This will make them feel safe and at home. It is advisable not to let them out for a few days - some say up to four weeks! - until they are happy with their new surroundings; then limit their outside access again for a while until they are settled. In the unhappy instance that your cat does escape and get lost after a recent home move, check your pet insurance policy to find out if you can claim for costs related to finding her - such as advertising and reward.

If you are to experience a new routine, start to introduce it into your day so that your pet is used to being without you for longer periods. Tell them that you will be out but back soon. When you return ensure that they have lots of affection & play. Talk to them, reassuring them that you're in for the night.

If you are having friends round or a loud party, it is best to keep them away from the noise in a safe, secure room with all their bits and pieces nearby. Strangers and noise can often distress our pets.

Other pets, most commonly thought as the biggest cause of stress, long-term problems are possible. It's always best to seek advice from your vet about this. It may be that they prescribe a certain diet to help or pheromone diffusers. Or that they suggest play or combined activities for your pets. You must ensure that you give equal amounts of affection to each pet in this case. Generally and given time, they will either accept the situation, agree to disagree or just ignore each other.

As with humans, all these incidents of stress & anxiety have an effect on pet health. It is common to see respiratory or heart problems as well as urinary issues. All of which must be referred to your vet, so good pet insurance is a must.

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