The cat started pooping at the door?

Don’t pee in the cat litter box?

Attack other cats?

Do you have cat ringworm or other skin diseases?

Loose stool? Vomiting?

A series of the above-mentioned behaviors and health problems may be caused by stress.

As a qualified cat owner, we should be aware of all the stressors in our lives that may cause stress to cats, and try to eliminate them as much as possible.

　▍What exactly is pressure

Stress is a word we often use in our daily lives. It usually refers to the feeling of being worried about something, and sometimes even feeling overwhelmed. We worry about our health, our loved ones, money problems, traffic jams...it really is a long list.

But what about our cats?

What makes cats stressed and how does this stress affect them?

Stress and change are closely related.

The goal of all living things is to achieve stable survival while meeting their needs.

This is the so-called steady state.

Pressures of all kinds, whether from the outside world or from our own bodies or minds, can interfere with this sense of balance and create stress.

The effects of stress can be physical or psychological. Change always threatens us in some way—even positive change. It triggers the body's fight-or-flight mechanism, causing the release of adrenaline hormones.

　▍What causes stress

Sources of stress, or causes of stress, can be difficult to identify.

It is the perception of threat that causes stress, not the objective level of threat.

Therefore, something that may be stressful to one person or cat may not be stressful to another person or cat.

Some cats are more susceptible to stress and are more sensitive to environmental changes and disturbances. These cats tend to see potential threats anywhere.

Psychologists list potential causes of stress in humans. Generally speaking, two types of stressors are included in these lists:

Event - Either a positive event, such as an engagement and marriage, the birth of a child, or moving to a new home, or a negative event, such as a divorce, job loss, orThe death of a family member.

Chronic stress – something you have to deal with on a regular basis. Fucking boss, disobedient kids, noisy environment, etc.

　▍The impact of stress

All living things are affected by stress, and cats are no exception. Consistently elevated stress levels can be harmful in the long term. In humans, they have been linked to depression, weak immune systems and even cancer.

Stress may have similar effects on cats. Reports show that stress can trigger or exacerbate conditions such as urinary tract disease, asthma, skin allergies, stomatitis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver inflammation, and even FIP.

Behavioral problems are a common result of increased stress. They can be a quick response to acute stress or develop over time. In fact, any change in your cat's behavior, and any behavioral problems you notice, may stem from increased stress levels. That's why cat behaviorists have been studying stressors in cats.

　▍Causes of stress in cats

Stress patterns can be complex.

For example, illness may be caused at least in part by elevated stress levels, but it may also be a source of stress in its own right.

When assessing a cat's condition, especially when dealing with behavioral issues, it is important to review the list of potential stressors and identify the source of the problem.

Only by resolving these pressures can we achieve a long-term solution to this problem

The following is a list of potential stressors in a cat’s life. Some of this is unavoidable. And some can be improved through active efforts.

Either way, you should be aware that they can cause stress for your cat.

Even if your cat is relatively "stress tolerant," stress can build up over time and eventually lead to behavioral and health problems.

Physical stressors:

Go to the vet or hospital

Body trauma

Disease

Parasite

Surgery

Remove debris

Taking new drugs (physiological effects)

Vision or hearing loss (sometimes gradual)

Deworming

Wearing a collar

Chronic or acute pain

Estrus

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Taking medicine (a very reluctant cat)

Take a bath

Shaving

Diet:

Changes in food types

Weight loss diet and food restriction

Malnutrition or unbalanced diet

Thirst or hunger

Cat litter box:

Not enough litter boxes (had to "wait").

Dirty cat litter box

Changes in cat litter types

Changes in cat litter box types

Changes in the location of the cat litter box

Environmental changes:

Moving to a new home

Renovate or renovate the house, change the decoration

4 types of loud noises: thunderstorms, fireworks, construction, and dog barking

Strong smell

Wear a collar

Adopted

Living in a shelter

Travel

Flying by plane

Lost

Changes in daily life

Seasonal and Daylight Saving Time Changes

Restricting entry to the house

Restricted to a certain room

Confined to a cat cage

​Limited to vehicles

The house is too hot or too cold

Loud music or TV

Surprises and "traps"

Scary cat toys

Earthquake

Extreme weather conditions

Less exercise

Sudden increase in exercise volume

Boredom and lack of stimulation

Not enough space to climb

Harassment or aggression by dogs or other pets

A new pet in the family

Participate in cat shows

Related to people:

Newborn baby in the house

Death in the family

Guests in the house

A companion leaves or a new companion comes

The master starts a new job

The owner has a new spouse

Family members who leave the family (going to college, etc.)

Physical abuse of children or adults

Being scolded

Being punished in any form

Playing aggressive games with others

Human pressure

Any type of training (seat belt, toilet use, etc.)

People give excessive caress or attention

Related to other cats:

Introduce new cats (especially if the owner’s method is wrong)

Food competition – having to compete with other cats during meal times

Generalized competition with other cats in the same household

The sounds of fighting and howling

Harassment and aggression by another cat or cats, especially when using the litter box

Unknown cat appears near home

Smell another cat’s territorial urine marks

Accurate identification of stress sources will play a very important role in the treatment of some cat diseases. Therefore, for cats with glassy hearts, we should use more snacks.