A cat with separation anxiety may follow the owner from room to room. I can’t see the thumbs-up I’m in the zone. Make sure your cat is getting appropriate exercise – a game as simple as follow the feather or chasing a laser light can help promote a healthier mental state and release stress. www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/behavioral/c_ct_fear_phobia_anxiety. These animals are great pets to have. PetMD designates three categories: phobia, or “a persistent and excessive fear of a specific stimulus, such as a thunderstorm”; fear, or “the instinctive feeling of apprehension resulting from a situation, person, or object that appears to present an external threat (whether real or perceived)”; and anxiety, or “the anticipation of future dangers from unknown or imagined origins that result in normal body reactions associated with fear.”. It is said to help ease an anxious pet by restoring balance between the mind and body. It is crucial to become acquainted with your cat to identify what she needs. Almost 80% of UK pets are reported to suffer with episodes of anxiety* which can bring about unwanted behaviors in your dog or cat. From there, you can tailor your treatment plan to suit your cat’s specific needs. Try to create an environment where your cat would feel safe and … If you sense that something is off with your furry friend, visit your vet. How to Help a Cat with Anxiety Method 1 of 3: Creating a Calming Environment. While this behavior is normal, any major changes could be a sign of cat anxiety. Talk to your vet immediately if you start to notice this behavior. It is vital to understand more about cat anxiety, as well as different symptoms that could happen so that you can learn how to notice signs that something is wrong with her. Here are a few tips considering which you can help your pet overcome the problem. There is no magic way to “treat” feline anxiety, but with patience and persistence you can make your cat feel more comfortable and less anxious. “3 Ways to Calm Your Anxious Cat.” Chewy, 15 Feb. 2018, Accessed 2 Nov. 2016. Cover photo: © Takashi Hososhima / CC-BY-SA-2.0, Copyright: © Automated Pet Care Products. Some pet owners may be tempted to discipline an anxious cat, either out of confusion or anger, but this is the wrong way to approach feline anxiety. We are your resource for all things cat and all things Litter-Robot: tips and tricks, health and humor, and general feline fun. A loss of appetite or destructive behavior could lead to illness or injury for your four-legged friend. Talk to your vet. Every pampered cat shows signs of separation anxiety as a baby, but the trouble begins when they refuse to improve even when they grow up. Your pet feels harassed or, on the contrary, neglected or abandoned due to the lack of attention and company. They enjoy being fed at similar times every day, usually eat about the same amount every day, and thrive off of healthy routine. 10 Ways to Help Keep Your Cat Calm. Shaping works through gradual approximations and allows the cat to be rewarded at first for any behavior that resembles the desired end result. CBD is an anxiolytic and can help calm feelings of fear or stress and treat symptoms of anxiety in cats. According to PetMD, cat anxiety is most likely to develop at the onset of social maturity—12 to 36 months of age. 2. Here are some simple strategies that can help your feline relax when you have to be away. Start (or continue) a daily routine of exercise and play with your cat. … Offer places for your cat to perch and hide. he thumbs up. If there are particular objects that trigger the anxiety, such as … Treats: There seems to be a treat formulated for just about everything, from allergies to UTI issues, so of course there are cat treats that combat the anxiety cat behavior. How to calm an anxious cat Create a safe space. The fear and anxiety can also cause your cat to become aggressive towards … with a picture of your pet, your pet’s name, your location, and your Canna-Pet success story. It’s true! Changes in the environment in which a cat lives are often the cause of stress, which if maintained over time can lead to a picture of generalized anxiety and neurotic behaviors in the animal. Generally, we can differentiate various types of anxiety in people. Other potential causes of cat anxiety can include new or moved furniture, new pet or baby in the home, or even a new home. Distract Your Cat Cat Anxiety: How to Recognize & Treat It. As already said earlier, separation anxiety in pets is quite common, but this does not mean that it cannot be treated. A dog or cat suffering from the problem of separation anxiety may exhibit different and destructive behavior. You may notice that your cat changes their usual routine in some way (usually to avoid situations that may increase their anxiety levels). Assisi Botanicals – Our Products for People. Some include: The above suggestions might work for a cat with mild anxiety, but for more extreme cases, you may need to see the vet for professional help. Last month I went on a week vacation with my family and my 2 cats were left at home (had someone coming to feed them and change litter) after we got home I noticed one of my cats was just very strange, hiding often and over grooming to the point she has sores. How to Reduce Cat Anxiety and Stress. So I'm beginning to suspect shes having anxiety … Scratching allows cats to keep their claws shorter, mark their territory, show their happiness or dominance, and stretch. Symptoms of anxiety in cats and how to treat it. I thought it was fleas but I havent seen a single one and shes been treated. Just like humans, all cats will have different stressors and will exhibit their anxiety in different ways, but we covered some of the most common anxious behaviors, causes of anxiety, and what you can do to calm your furry friend. Our nutritional products are available for purchase worldwide. How to Treat Your Cat’s Anxiety. The tree is significant in reducing anxiety in cats. But oftentimes, cat anxiety presents itself in different ways that might not be immediately noticed. As a pet owner, you are probably in tune with your cat’s regular behavior, and know when something is amiss. Learn more about what cat anxiety is, which symptoms can occur, and how to go about treating your anxious cat. Now that you understand some of the common symptoms of cat anxiety, it’s important to understand what may be causing them. The wrong way is to shout at your cat and get frustrated I would really advise cat parents to never take this approach and to have patience Shouting at your cat will only increase the problem and make things worse. Treating Cat Anxiety www.chewy.com/petcentral/3-ways-to-calm-your-anxious-cat/. Put its favorite toys, a blanket, and some food and water in the safe space so it’s comfortable until it decides to come out. Fear and anxiety can be difficult for both your cat and your family. This aspect can be useful in teaching a cat to overcome a fear or anxiety. The most common form of anxiety that cats experience is separation anxiety, which is when cats become stressed and act up if their owners are gone for extended periods of time. Let your vet determine if cat anxiety medication is necessary to ease the symptoms. Put a few drops on your hands and rub the cat’s head and ears, or put a drop or two on your finger and touch the cat’s lips. These phobias are not always rational, but illicit a response in a fearful kitty. Chances are you’ve at least encountered one in your lifetime. The researchers noted that CBD exhibited anti-anxiety … Cats are such fastidious creatures that they don’t want to step into a dirty litter box too often—leading to urinating and defecating outside of the litter box, or potentially life-threatening lower urinary diseases. Making sure your pet has their own personal space where they can sleep or relax is … If your cat is anxious for a period of time, they may experience chronic stress. Some things that may cause feline anxiety are: These are just a few of the reasons why a cat may be feeling anxious, and the causes of feline anxiety will depend on the cat and their typical behavior. This can include both eating less and eating more, and should be addressed with a vet. Sometimes cat parents witness abnormally needy behaviour that turns into aggression or disobeying of basic house rules. Meow do you do? Tips to alleviate cat separation anxiety Act casual about leaving. Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 3. Lastly, anxiety is often manifested in long-term behavior or behavior in advance of a situation. It is highly recommended to use intelligence toys, especially those that give out treats, so that your cat can channel its anxiety with activities that foster its intelligence and make it feel useful. Information contained or made available through the Canna-Pet® website is not intended to constitute or substitute for legal advice or veterinary advice. At the same time, we will provide you different ways to treat the cat’s anxiety, which is an important consideration. Talk to your vet about any of these changes in normal bathroom behavior. How to Treat Anxiety in Cats. If your kitty is usually good at using the litter box and rarely has accidents, but starts urinating in other areas of the house, something may be making them anxious. “10 Signs Your Cat Has Anxiety & What You Can Do About It.” Bustle, 24 Aug. 2018, Accessed 2 Nov. 2016. My boyfriend and I think our cat has separate anxiety because he peed on our bed twice. Provide playtime and enrichment. If you treat it like it’s routine, your pet will learn to do the same. Cat Anxiety: How to Recognize & Treat It. Cat Anxiety Treatment - When Medication Is Necessary. An example of this would be an abused cat who fears loud voices. Written by Deborah Brannon on March 27, 2017 in Behavioral Issues. An upheaval in your routine can result in separation anxiety in your cat. Isolate a kitten and you’ll have a feral cat. Like previously mentioned, cats are creatures of habit. Treating Cat Anxiety with CBD Oil CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce anxiety in cats and improve their overall well-being. Playtime tire the cats and do not let it feel low, Schedule some time to play with your furball and never forget to cuddle with it whenever you have some time. Determine the Cause. If your cat’s anxiety seems mild, and they are otherwise healthy, there may be some in-home options to try before consulting with a vet (always check with your vet, though, before trying anything at home). Simple things like regular exercise, a consistent routine, and feeding them the right food can all improve behaviour. On CatLicking we do not have the skills to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis. This works for all kinds of anxiety, including phobias. If it’s when you pick up your handbag, for example, practice picking it up and putting it … Plug in a Feliway diffuser in any room where your cat spends a lot of time, or spray it on any spot where your cat has urinated, scratched, or engaged in destructive behavior. Cat Anxiety Treatment. The pheromones in cat calming collars mimic those that mother cats produce to calm and soothe kittens, and they can also help to calm adult kitties. In contrast, cat phobias are habitual fears of a specific situation or object. Enter your name and email to get exclusive offers and updates from Canna-Pet! If your cat regularly gets stressed or anxious, there are some tips and tricks you can do to make sure your kitty is as happy and calm as possible. How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Cats There are many different things you can try to minimise your cat’s anxiety when you are apart, including: Change the routine around your coming and going – don’t make a big deal of petting him and saying goodbye when you leave, and leave him alone for 15 minutes when you get home. Buy a cat tree– The tree gives it numerous perching opportunities. We’ll follow up with a 25% off coupon code! Some of the most common symptoms of cat anxiety include: This may be one of the most common symptoms of cat anxiety because urination is a natural way for cats, and other animals, to mark their territory. Rude straight up rude. Pick up your keys and set them back down Open and close the door Walk out of the door and come back in, gradually increasing the amount of time you stay outside Eventually, your cat will see those activities as normal and not react with anxiety. For example, if a normally playful cat spends all day under the bed, they may be anxious about something. It’s important to understand common anxieties in cats, what causes them, and how to treat them, if necessary. Your veterinarian will work with you to come up with an individualized treatment plan based on what will be the best fit for you and your cat. Tags: anxiety, anxiety in cats, cat anxiety, separation anxiety. If a cat drastically changes their eating or drinking behavior, they may be anxious about something in their environment. Or, skip the scooping altogether and get an automatic, self-cleaning Litter-Robot, which always provides a clean bed of litter—great for territorial cats! Specific cat calming products in various forms are also available, but shouldn’t be relied upon as a sole solution. Some of the symptoms of separation anxiety in pets include: ... Best Ways to Treat Anxiety Symptoms in Dogs and Cats. A state of anxiety means that the cat experiences an emotion, particularly in unfamiliar situations, that is an apprehensive anticipation of something bad happening. Of course, we can’t always avoid changes in schedule, so we recommend trying to ease your cat into a new routine whenever possible. Here are a few things you should know about separation anxiety in cats, and what you can do to treat and prevent it. Any underlying medical conditions need to be treated as well. Receive 25% off your next order when you share your testimonial with us! You might consider trying a ThunderShirt on your cat, a pressure garment said to have a calming effect similar to swaddling a baby. For example, if your cat suffers from separation anxiety, provided distractions to your pet such as cat toys and snacks. Other Ways To Help A Cat Showing Signs of Stress or Anxiety. Will) Well then get the zone started. This works for all kinds of anxiety, including phobias. Any medication or training for this behavior takes time and patience to see an effect. Following that, you’ll need to try to get to the bottom of what is causing your cat’s anxiety. I thought it was fleas but I havent seen a single one and shes been treated. Rate this article: Share via Email Share via Email Share on LinkedIn Share via whatsapp Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share this article: During these worrying times of COVID-19, everyone’s life is being affected, including your pets. Before you can solve the problem, you must identify it. In other words, don’t overdo the goodbye process. Anxiety can be environmentally managed. They may diagnose the type of behavior and help you come up with a treatment plan with positive reinforcement and helpful supplements. This is a stress-relieving behavior and may be a sign that the cat is anxious about something in their environment. How to treat separation anxiety in cats? Download cat-specific playlists to alleviate kitty’s anxiety and stress. Through clicker training, play, and treats, along with positive reinforcement and praise, a negative object or event can slowly become neutral and acceptable. If the anxiety stems from a particular trigger, you can work on changing your cat’s perception of that trigger. This ensures that it doesn’t spend much time sleeping. Similar to creating a safe space, you’ll want to make sure your cat has enough environmental enrichment while you’re away to stay distracted from ensuing anxieties. The first thing you need to do is establish the origins of your cat's anxiety. If you notice any major changes in your cat’s behavior, eating, or litter box habits, speak with your vet about possible feline anxiety. They view this situation as a “fight or flight” scenario, which is their innate survival mechanism. They may hide under the bed if they feel like they are threatened, or hiss at an intruder if they think they need to fight. “How to Reduce Anxiety Levels in Your Cat.” The Spruce Pets, Accessed 2 Nov. 2016. Before you can solve the problem, you must identify it. Some vet favorites are: While some stress for cats is unavoidable, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of anxiety and what you can do to help. Felines are sensitive to some types of drugs, and every cat is different so you can do more harm than good. Never give medication without consulting a vet and always give the prescribed dose. We invite you to bring your animal to the veterinarian if it presents the symptoms of a fever or a disease. Try to provide a more stimulating environment at home for your cat. Depending on the severity of your cat's anxiety, you may be able to come to a complete resolution without having to resort to medicating. One of the most common forms of cat anxiety is separation anxiety, in which your cat becomes anxious and stressed when you leave their sight or when they are left home alone. Cat perches with visually stimulating views and a range of toys will all help to keep your cat busy while you’re away. 1. This safe space is also important for cats with noise phobias (fireworks, thunderstorms, vacuums, etc.). For example, many cats are scared of loud noises, such as fireworks or the vacuum. How To Treat Anxiety In Cats Stopping Anxiety. Fluoxetine is used to treat urinating in inappropriate places, separation anxiety, compulsive chewing, circling, self-mutilation and aggression. Behaviour signs of cat anxiety. How to Treat Your Cat’s Anxiety If your cat is exhibiting anxious behavior, talk to your veterinarian. Talk to your vet immediately if you start to notice this behavior. Some cat experts argue that once a phobia is realized, anything associated with that phobia will result in a similar response. Some of the most popular products for cat anxiety are cat calming collars infused with pheromones, such as the Sentry HC cat calming collar. Signs and Symptoms of Cat Anxiety. Any cat owner will testify that sometimes their furry friend can act a little odd. Give her some toys and allow them to feel free to play with you. Because of their predator-prey roots, cats will oscillate between acting aggressive and acting submissive, especially if they have a playmate. Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs and Cats. Cats do need time to adjust to new surroundings and Catnip does help in a transition, as it speeds up the process while avoiding anxiety. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet for advice. Other potential causes of cat anxiety can include new or moved furniture, new pet or baby in the home, or even a new home. Every time they hear a loud voice, they remember their past phobia and automatically register the same behavior. Always follow your veterinarian's instructions if your cat is placed on any anti-anxiety medication. Does CBD Oil Work to Help With Cat Anxiety? If you’re upset, then your cat may get upset. 2. At the same time, we will provide you different ways to treat the cat’s anxiety, which is an important consideration. It’s true! Learn to recognize what, if anything, is triggering your cat’s anxiety and try the tips listed above. Make sure that the anxiety isn’t rooted into a more serious health problem. But when a cat is anxious, they may start to scratch more or scratch things they aren’t supposed to, such as a couch or rug. An anxious cat deserves as much care and attention as an ill kitty. He or she may want to prescribe something more short-term like gabapentin, or a longer-time resolution such as buspirone or amitriptyline. 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