Is Your Cat Stressed? Most Common Stressors and Ways to Eliminate Them.

Our Cats can get stressed if they are elderly, ill, thin, frightened, recuperating and lonely. 

Some stress factors that we can be aware of or we can eliminate where possible especially if our kitty is sick or is a nervous cat include the following:-

• Loud music or unusual noises, surprises or fright such as visitors to the household creates stress - soft calm relaxing music is good for you both. If kitty being left alone I leave the radio of TV on low for some background and calming effect. 
• If kitty's guardian is upset, stressed or unhappy this can create kitty stress.
• Changes to a cat's environment -  such as changing furniture around or house painting and house decorating, even the absence of familiar household people creates stress and weather conditions creating extreme cold or heat in the home.
• Confinement or caging of your precious cat when going to the Vet (which is necessary for safety of your cat). A spray of feliway, a favourite toy and a recently warn soft garment of carer will help
• Trauma such as surgery, catheterization, infections, wounds, X-rays, anesthetics, medications and associated pain experienced by kitty. Therapeutic communication helps when administering meds for example to kitty when come home. Explain to kitty the reason, purpose and procedure of how you will gently and carefully administer the meds (while kitty is possibly wrapped firmly in a thin bath towell) using your clean, dry and non-chemical smelling hands. After the meds - follow with a treat and affection. Amelia had medical drops, no longer needs a towell and knows exactly what I am doing and looks forward to her treat afterwards.
• Litter box problems also can create stress. Find the right one preferred by kitty and stick with it.
• Sharp smells like room deodorizers, tobacco smoke and chemicals used around the household. 

Minimizing stress assists in saving your precious cat's energy, adrenaline, calories and vital life force which all can be used to fight disease and sickness in your kitty. Continually checking and being aware of the above factors of stress, providing a snug retreat of warmth and privacy in a quiet and relaxed environment with the nurturing of love, attention and play time assists with stress and Kitty relaxing in their comfort. Even a cardboard box in the back of the wardrobe with a soft warm piece of one of your natural fibre / garments containing your scent (and no chemical fabric softener) can be effective for kitty to hide and chill. The bolstering up your kitty's system with antistress supplements and vitamins, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and Vitamin A & D assists greatly.  Bach's Rescue Remedy is great to have on hand when needed, a Feliway diffuser and Feliway spray, catnip and kitty grass garden are great for calming and relaxing your cat.  An improved cat's diet and a good health and wellness program will all go a long way....for you both - kitty and carer. For unwell or out of the ordinary symptoms by you cat - refer to your Veterinarian asap.