Hello, this time in our series we'll be seriously thinking about cats. For those of you who own cats or keep an eye on your neighborhood cats every day, have you ever felt something like this? "Hey, he's usually so excited and jumps up, but today he's not responding to his toys," or "I feel like he's eating less than usual." These may be signs of stress from your cat.
Types of stress in cats
Cats are known for being very clean, and are sensitive to dirty rooms. Dust on the floor or foul-smelling litter can be extremely stressful. Keeping their litter box and sleeping areas, especially their territory, clean is especially important. Cats are nocturnal, preferring to spend their daytime hours as peacefully and leisurely as possible. A loud TV or continuous loud music can be stressful for cats. While cats are said to prefer their own company, this doesn't necessarily mean they can tolerate loneliness. If you leave your cat alone for too long, or leave it at a pet hotel or a friend's house, it can become stressed by the loneliness of not being able to see you. Even if you're home, giving it too little time can make it feel lonely. Even things you think are good for your cat can unexpectedly become stressful. Shampooing your cat with water (or hot water) in an effort to keep its fur clean can be extremely stressful for cats who don't like water. Also, if you suddenly bring in a new cat from the same household, thinking that your new cat might feel less lonely if it has a brother or sister, territorial disputes may break out, causing stress for both cats.
About stress signs
Because cats cannot speak, it is very difficult to detect stress in them, but careful observation reveals some distinctive signs. Long-haired cats may routinely vomit hairballs when groomed. However, vomiting during stress is a completely different phenomenon. If your cat vomits more frequently than usual or if the vomit is unusual (watery or yellowish), stress-related vomiting is likely the cause. Furthermore, excessive grooming time often indicates stress. While grooming is said to relieve irritation and emotional upset, excessive grooming can increase vomiting, and in severe cases, excessive hair loss can lead to dermatitis on exposed skin. Loss of appetite is also a sign of stress. If you notice any unusual behavior, such as your cat eating less than usual or refusing to come near its favorite treats, suspect stress. In addition to treats, refusing to come near its usual favorite toys is also a likely sign of stress.
Stress symptoms
It's not uncommon for small everyday stresses to sometimes lead to situations that require a trip to the hospital. For example, for cats that don't vomit often, vomiting itself can put a lot of strain on the body. Repeated vomiting due to stress can lead to dehydration, which can lead to a loss of appetite and lethargy... creating a vicious cycle. It's important to relieve stress as soon as possible to avoid having to hospitalize your cat due to dehydration.
Stress management
First, keep your cat's living space clean at all times. Cleaning the litter box twice a day, morning and night, will allow your cat to use the toilet in peace. Prepare as many litter boxes as you have cats. It's also best to locate the litter box as far away from where the cat eats as possible. Change your cat's water frequently. While circulating pet water dispensers are particularly easy for cats to drink, it's easy to forget to change the water. For cats who get stressed by shampoo, there are waterless powder shampoos available. Simply sprinkle it on the affected area and wipe it off with a towel to clean it. If you choose to wash with water, be sure to use an unscented cat shampoo. For cats that get lonely easily, it's important to increase physical contact, even if only a little. Gently stroking the back of their head or throat or playing with a cat toy can help relieve stress. For those who are short on time, electric cat toy teasers are now available. With the flip of a switch, the cat toy moves irregularly, giving your cat exercise and killing two birds with one stone. Also, if you are keeping multiple cats to help them cope with loneliness, don't suddenly put them in the same living space, but instead separate their living areas in cages at first and gradually let them get used to each other's space. Depending on the personality of the existing cat, some will become friends right away, while others may take six months to warm up to each other.
summary
Cats are important members of the family. Please observe them closely on a daily basis so that you can notice any abnormalities as soon as possible. Stress is said to be the root cause of all illnesses. The key to helping cats live a long and happy life is for us as owners to face stress and relieve it one by one.
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