Cat Anxiety | The Kurious Kat

Cat Anxiety is Real!

What you can do to help

Cat Anxiety

Cats are often seen as cool, independent creatures, but they can be surprisingly sensitive to change. Anxiety in cats is a real thing and more common than many pet parents realize. It can affect their health, behavior, and quality of life, so understanding the cause, signs, and solutions can make all the difference in the world for your feline friend!

What Anxiety Looks Like in Cats

Anxiety in cats can show up in subtle ways, and cat parents often notice it first through changes in

behavior or body language. A stressed or anxious cat may hide more than usual, avoid interaction, over-groom, or become unusually vocal. You might also see restless pacing, dilated pupils, ears held flat, or a twitching tail. Some cats express anxiety through destructive behavior, spraying, or refusing to use the litter box. Others may eat less, eat too quickly, or show changes in sleep patterns. By paying attention to these shifts in routine and demeanor, cat parents can recognize when their cat is feeling unsettled and take steps to reduce stress, such as providing safe hiding spots, increasing playtime, or making their environment more predictable and secure.

What you can do to help

Cats are often seen as cool, independent creatures, but they can be surprisingly sensitive to change. Because anxiety in cats is more common than many pet parents might realize, it's important to notice any changes you see, even small changes. Anxiety can affect a cat's health, behavior, and quality of life, so understanding the possible causes, signs, and solutions can make all the difference in the world.

What can cause anxiety in cats?

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to perceived threats or stress. For cats, triggers can be subtle or obvious:

Changes in Environment:

Moving to a new home, rearranging furniture, or adding new décor can unsettle and stress a cat. Even a house guest or new roommate can put your cat out on the ledge when it comes to their comfort level.

Loud Noises:

Things like fireworks, thunderstorms, construction, or loud music can spike your cats stress and cause a spike in their anxiety.

Separation Anxiety:

While many don’t think of cats with separation anxiety, but it is much more common than you might think. Some cats struggle when left alone for long periods of time, especially if they have a strong bond with their human. If you’re thinking of adopting your first cat, consider adopting two that are already bonded litter mates or cats that get along with each other. That way going forward, your cat may be less likely to experience separation anxiety when you’re out as they’ll have each other.

It’s important to note that if you have a single cat, getting a ‘friend’ for them, may not always be the right move, as not all cats get along well with each other. Single cats that have a strong bond with their person may also not appreciate another cat in their space taking attention away from them. Be sure to consider long and hard before you think about getting your single cat a ‘friend’. There may be better options to help with your cat’s anxiety issues.

New People or Pets:

A baby, new partner, roommate, or another pet entering the household can disrupt a cat’s sense of security and cause a list of problems, from hiding or aggression, to inappropriate scratching or litter box problems.

Past Trauma:

Past trauma is real and can be common in cats as they’re very sensitive little furballs. Abandonment, abuse, or being separated from a bonded partner or human for whatever reason can all be a source of past trauma in cats and can carry lasting emotional scars.

Lack of Stimulation:

Indoor cats without enough stimulation and enrichment can become bored. This can sometimes turn into stress and cause some anxiety-driven behavior.

Signs to watch for

Hiding more than usual, especially in familiar spaces, can be a sign of anxiety as they withdraw to feel safer from perceived stressors. Anxiety can also be from past trauma, so if you're cat is hiding, try to be patient, as trying to force them out of hiding if not absolutely necessary can add to the past trauma and possibly make things worse.

Excessive grooming or over-grooming areas. If you notice your cat is grooming and begins to have patches of missing or thinning fur where they’ve been grooming, this could be a sign that your cat is feeling anxious. Always be sure to rule out any physical issues like skin infections or parasites with your cat’s veterinarian first, but if the issue isn’t physical, over-grooming can certainly be a sign your cat is experiencing anxiety.

Urinating or defecating outside the litter box can also be a sign of anxiety. With this issue, your first call should Always be to your veterinarian. There are medical issues that can cause your cat to stop using the litter box that can be serious, even fatal, so your first call should be to your veterinarian to rule out medical concerns before jumping to anxiety.

Aggression toward people or other pets, especially when it's out of character, can also be a sign of anxiety because fear and stress often trigger defensive behaviors in cats. When a cat feels overwhelmed or unsafe, it may lash out as a way to protect itself from perceived threats, whether those threats are real, or from past trauma.

Loss of appetite or sudden changes in eating habits are a serious concern in cats. If anxiety is at the root of a cat's change in appetite, it's important to identify the cause as quickly as possible as the lack of eating can impact thier overall heath in short time. Cats may avoid food when they feel unsafe, are too tense due to anxiety to relax and eat at mealtime, or is physically experiencing nausea related to stress and/or anxiety.

Pacing and restlessness are quite common signs of anxiety in cats. They may feel too unsettled to relax or stay in one place. The movement is way for them to release nervous energy and cope with feelings of stress, insecurity or past trauma they haven't been able to get over.

Excessive vocalization is another noticeable sign of anxiety in cats and one that's hard to miss. It's their way of expressing distress or seeking reassurance and can be a way to signal that they don't feel right about something in their environment. It can be a plea for comfort and attention when they are feeling quite uneasy and stressed, or it could be a way for them to try and cope with the stress they're experiencing.

If you think your cat might be experiencing any type of anxiety, please speak with your veterinarian first about what you can do to help. There are natural remedies like pheromone diffusers and collars as well as catnip and silvervine that can help with anxiety in some cats, as well as medication, supplements and enrichment activities that might be helpful for your cat. You and your vet know your cat best, which is why consulting your vet to rule out potentially serious conditions is an important first step. Below is a list of several gentle, natural options to ask your vet about that might be able to help ease your cat's anxiety.

**Always consult with your cat's veterinarian before trying anything new with your cat! Even natural supplements can have potentially negative outcomes in some cats.**

Calming Supplements & Nutrients

-L-theanine (amino acid that promotes relaxation without sedation)

-Tryptophan and B-vitamins (support mood and nervous system balance)

-Fish Oil/Omega-3's (helps overall brain and nerve health)

Herbal Aids

-Chamomile or Valerian Root (mild calming effects)

-Passionflower or Skullcap, sometimes included in veterinary herbal blends. ALWAYS Use pet-safe formulations, not human teas or tinctures which may be too strong or contain unsafe additives.

Environmental Helpers

-Pheromone diffusers like Therapet and Feliway can be helpful

-Catnip or Silvervine (while many think of catnip as a stimulant, when catnip is nibbled or ingested, it many times has the opposite effect and can calm many cats)

Routine, Environment and Enrichment

-Consistent feeding/playtime schedules can help reduce your cat's stress, therefore helping to alleviate anxiety.

-Puzzle feeders, climbing shelves and cat trees, fun and clever hiding spots for your cat to find can help stimulate the mind and keep your cat active which in turn can help to alleviate some anxiety.

Prescription Medication

-SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

*Fluoxetine (Prozac)

*Paroxetine (Paxil)

-Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

*Clomipramine (Clomicalm) Can be helpful for generalized anxiety and compulsive grooming

-Benzodiazepines

*Alprazolam (Xanax)

*Diazepam (Valium) Usually used short term for situational anxiety like vet visits or storms.

-Other Medications

*Buspirone (anti-anxiety, sometimes used for shy or fearful cats)

*Gabapentin (increasingly used for situational anxiety like vet visits or travel. Gabapentin also helps with pain.

**It's important to understand that prescription medications should only be considered when all other options have been given a good try. Medications should not be used lightly and some carry serious, potentially life threatening side-effects and risks. We only add them so that you're aware of the possible cat anxiety options. Some cats just don't respond to natural remedies and may have conditions that warrant a prescription medication, but be sure to discuss all options and potential side effects of any drugs with your vet before trying with your cat.**

Final Thoughts

Anxiety in cats can show up through subtle changes in behavior, so it's important to know your cat's normal. If you see any changes, even small ones, make note of the changes and keep a journal to look back on and assess whether there are things to be concerned about or not. Occasional stress in cats is normal, but ongoing anxiety issues can affect and compromise a cat's health so it's important to understand your cats signals and respond to them appropriately. Anxiety in cats is more common than many cat parents realize, so if you ever think your cat may be experiencing some anxiety, keep a close watch and ask your vet about it.

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