Signs Of Stress In Cats: 8 Cat Stress Signs To Know

Even though your cat companion can’t tell you what they’re feeling, cats can get stressed. While cats may not have the same types of stress as humans, they can still become worried or anxious. Many cats become stressed at the vet, but others can become stressed at any point in the day, even when you don’t notice. 

Stress is a significant underlying cause of behavioral problems. But, believe it or not, your cat can start acting differently because of stress and anxiety. If you suspect your cat is stressed, you can pay more attention to them to see if you notice any common cat stress signs. Once you can identify if your cat is anxious, you can start finding ways to help them manage their stress or get them treated by an animal behaviorist. 

So, if your cat has been acting differently lately or you notice their behavior has changed, it could indicate stress. Knowing when your cat is stressed can help you alleviate their anxiety quickly to reduce behavioral problems and improve their quality of life. This article will discuss common signs your cat is stressed, why cats get stressed, and what you can do about it. 

• Destructive Scratching
• Urine Spraying Or Marking
• Compulsive Behavior and Excessive Grooming
• Sleep Changes
• Excessive Meowing
• Isolating
• Appetite Changes
• Aggression
• Why Do Cats Get Stressed?
• How To Handle Stress In Cats
• Cat Stress Signs: Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Notes

1. Destructive Scratching

If your cat was once calm and only scratched at their toys, cat trees, or scratching posts but has since started scratching furniture, it could indicate stress. Cats can develop compulsive behaviors that make them scratch more.¹ Of course, not all stressed cats scratch, but anxious cats may destroy furniture, scratch walls, or hurt themselves by scratching their skin. Scratching can also indicate boredom. If your cat isn’t getting enough physical or mental stimulation, they may choose to scratch things to burn off some extra energy. 

2. Urine Spraying Or Marking

Stressed cats may spray urine or mark things around the house. Cats instinctively use their litter boxes without needing to be trained, so if your cat isn’t trying to urinate in their box, it could indicate stress. Spraying and marking can also occur in cats that have been brought into new environments. For example, recently adopted cats may spray or mark their new homes to feel more comfortable in a new place. 

Cats need clean litter boxes, and if your cat’s litter box isn’t clean, they may choose to urinate or defecate outside of their litter box if it’s not clean. Believe it or not, messes can stress your cat out, and they don’t want to pee somewhere that smells or has traces of old urine or feces. 

3. Compulsive Behavior and Excessive Grooming

Cats often display compulsive behavior such as licking, scratching, and excessive grooming when they’re feeling stressed. If you notice your cat is excessively grooming themselves or they’re starting to lick so much they’re losing hair, it could indicate that they’re stressed or have a skin condition that’s causing them to scratch and over-groom. 

4. Sleep Changes

Cats are known for their unique ability to sleep all afternoon long. However, just because your cat is more active at dusk and dawn doesn’t mean they can’t experience shifts in their sleep. If you notice your cat is sleeping more often, it could indicate that they’re trying to keep themselves calm and self-soothe by napping more frequently. 

Lethargy and sleep changes can also indicate several serious health conditions. If you notice your cat sleeping longer than usual, monitor them for signs of illness and take them to the vet if they don’t seem interested in their favorite activities. 

5. Excessive Meowing

Even though cats don’t speak their language, they may talk to you to try to tell you they don’t feel well. Excessive meowing is a common sign of stress in cats. It may also indicate pain. If your cat doesn’t usually meow at you and begins meowing more frequently or displays stiff body language, they could be trying to tell you that they’re anxious. 

Some instances of anxiety may be obvious. For example, if you bring a stranger into your home, your cat may excessively meow around them because they’re afraid. However, meowing can also indicate pain, so pay attention when your cat is trying to talk to you. 

6. Isolating

Cats that are stressed may seek out isolation to escape the situation that’s causing them stress. For example, if you have guests over, your cat might choose to hide under the bed until they’re gone. If your cat starts hiding from you, it could indicate another issue or mean something has recently happened that causes them anxiety. 

If your cat is healthy and you have no reason to suspect illness, they may need time away to try to calm themselves down during or after a stressful situation. Many cats are shy around new people and animals, so your cat may start hiding when people come to visit your home. 

7. Appetite Changes

Cats react to stress similarly to humans. When you’re stressed, you may not have an appetite; the same is true for your cat. Cats that are stressed may not eat until they feel less anxious. Stressed cats can also become picky eaters. Meanwhile, some cats may eat more when stressed.

Cats must eat daily, so if you notice your cat has a lack of appetite, it could indicate severe stress or another illness. Cats that aren’t eating food they would normally eat should be taken to the vet as soon as possible for a health checkup. 

8. Aggression

Stressed cats might become more aggressive by hissing, growling, or getting physical with you or other animals. Cats that don’t feel well, whether they are ill or stressed, can become more irritable with their pet parents, even if they’re relatively affectionate most of the time. Aggression, alongside other signs of a stressed cat or illness, is your cat’s way of telling you they don’t feel well.

Why Do Cats Get Stressed?

After reading the signs a cat is stressed, you might wonder what cats have to be anxious about. Even though your cat doesn’t have any responsibilities or bills, they can still experience fear, stress, and anxiety. A few things that can cause stress in cats include:

• Sounds and smells: Cats are sensitive to sounds and smells because their senses are stronger than ours. Strong scents or loud noises can cause anxiety because they’re unpleasant.² 
• Inadequate litter boxes: Litter boxes should allow your cat to go potty without worrying. However, if your cat’s litter box is full, they may feel too stressed to use it.² 
• Handling: Some cats love to snuggle up with their pet parents. However, some cats don’t like to be picked up or handled, so touching your pet may cause significant anxiety. 
• Territory threats: Cats can feel stressed when their territory is threatened. You may not realize how something small, such as introducing a new cat in the home, can cause stress for your cat. However, when cats feel their territory is in danger, they can become stressed, fearful, and anxious.³
• New experiences: Cats are creatures of habit, but they usually handle change well. However, going through a big change can make a cat nervous. For example, bringing home a new baby or moving houses can cause stress in cats until they get comfortable around new people or in a new environment. 
• Illness: Feeling unwell can be stressful for cats and cause significant cat anxiety, especially if your cat is experiencing pain.⁴

How To Handle Stress In Cats

Since cats can get stressed for several reasons, it can be difficult to completely prevent it. Some cats are more anxious than others, but you can help a stressed cat cope and calm down in a few different ways:

• Introduce new people and pets slowly: New people and pets can make a cat feel threatened in a number of ways. Introducing new pets and people to your cat slowly will ease the transition. 
• Build and maintain a routine: Cats thrive on routines. So even if your cat must go through a drastic change like moving, you can keep a consistent routine by feeding them at the same time every day to reduce some of the stress associated with a move. 
• Keep the litter box clean: Cats prefer clean litter boxes, so you can prevent stress at potty time by cleaning their litter box once a day. 
• Visit the vet: Stress could indicate a more serious health concern. Many of the signs of stress in cats we’ve listed are common signs of illnesses in cats, so a trip to a vet to confirm your cat’s health is necessary to ensure they are happy and healthy. Of course, some cats experience stress going to the vet, so in this case, it may be best for your cat to try an online vet service.
• Maintain their health: Unhealthy cats will naturally experience more stress than healthy cats because of pain and illness. Maintaining their health by focusing on exercise and proper nutrition and visiting your vet yearly can help prevent many illnesses in cats. 
• Prevent boredom: Bored cats have a lot of energy that can quickly turn into anxiety if not expelled. You can help your cat remain calm throughout the day by playing with them and providing them with toys and mental stimulation. 

Cat Stress Signs: Frequently Asked Questions

How can I calm my cat’s stress?

Cats like to spend time alone when they’re stressed to self-soothe. If your cat is stressed, leave them alone and ensure they have a safe, comfortable, quiet area to relax in. You can also spend quality time with them and pet them to help them feel better. Some cats may benefit from playing to reduce their energy levels and decrease stress. 

What triggers stress in cats?

Anything can trigger stress in cats, including big life changes like a new baby in the house. Unfortunately, since some cats are more easily stressed than others, there’s no way to know what will stress your cat out. Luckily, you can reduce stress by giving them a quiet place to rest and letting them calm down on their own. 

What happens if a cat gets too stressed?

If a cat gets too stressed, they can exacerbate existing medical conditions and cause behavioral problems. For example, cats with anxiety may engage in destructive behavior or compulsive grooming, which could end up hurting them. 

Final Notes

Cats can get stressed for a variety of reasons ranging from minor changes in their routine to major life changes. Unfortunately, some cats will become more easily stressed and anxious than others. For example, cats that have spent time in shelters may have behavioral problems due to fear and anxiety. Meanwhile, any cat can experience stress, especially when they feel their territory is being threatened. 

While there are many things pet parents can do to reduce stress in cats, some cats will require extra care to prevent destructive or aggressive behavior. Working with Dutch behaviorists can help you manage your pet’s stress and anxiety to improve their quality of life.