Stress in Cats: Its Symptoms Have a Negative Impact on Their Well-Being and Health

A team of Spanish veterinarians* examined the stress-related changes in feline behavior most frequently observed in clinical practice. They explored the effects of stress on cats’ health and animal welfare and proposed strategies to reduce or prevent it, focusing in particular on enriching the animal’s environment and limiting territorial conflicts with other cats through appropriate techniques and the use of pheromones.   According to a study by the University of Barcelona (Spain), published this month in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, stress increases the risk of illness in cats. In fact, cats are exposed to a variety of stressful stimuli, which can have a negative effect on their well-being and trigger behavioral changes that are troublesome for their owners. Thus, stress can lead to polyphagia or anorexia—early signs of developing health problems—and it also increases the risk of urine marking, excessive salivation, and vocalization, as well as certain forms of aggression. Compulsive disorders, such as feline hyperesthesia syndrome or psychogenic alopecia, can also develop in response to a stressful stimulus. Furthermore, stress appears to play an important role in the reactivation of the feline herpesvirus, which is a common cause of respiratory disease in cats and a frequent problem in cat colonies. Stress is also associated with gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or vomiting, and it is implicated in the development of feline interstitial cystitis. Finally, it has a clear link to certain skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, and is likely to trigger or perpetuate pruritus. The main stressors include changes in the cat’s environment (the arrival of a new family member, changes in the daily routine, etc.), conflictual interactions with other cats, poor relationships with humans (inappropriate socialization, improper handling), a lack of stimulation, or a lack of stability and predictability on the part of the owner. When these factors combine, the reaction will be much more severe than if the animal were exposed to only a single source of stress. Furthermore, a cat’s response depends, to a large extent, on its temperament. This fully justifies breeding and rearing strategies that help select cat breeds with well-balanced temperaments. Although cats are naturally curious and social, stress alters their exploratory behavior. They become less active and playful, and significantly reduce positive interactions with other cats and with humans, to the point of becoming apathetic or even aggressive. To help owners respond to these behavioral changes, the authors propose a range of strategies to implement. For example, they describe a four-phase method (total separation, olfactory acclimation, followed by visual acclimation, and finally direct contact) to reduce conflicts between cats living under the same roof. Another approach involves enriching the cat’s environment to address the physical and social aspects of its behavior. With this in mind, the cat has its own space, complete with its own resources (food and water, toys, etc.), where it can feel safe and relaxed, free from the threat of other animals. This personal space can be further enriched by hiding kibble in various hiding spots. For cats that spend a lot of time indoors, it’s a good idea to change their toys frequently to rekindle their interest and spark their curiosity. Toys that mimic prey to be caught are particularly effective in this context. Another way to enrich the environment is to install shelves, a cat tree, or platforms so that the cat can climb up and explore its space both vertically and horizontally. Providing opportunities for the cat to hide also helps reduce stress. Without addressing all available pharmacological treatments, the authors believe that administering medication can be an additional source of stress. Therefore, the frequency of administration is an important factor to consider. Depending on the case, pheromones may be used alone or in combination with other anxiolytic products. Recently, nutritional supplements and aromatherapy have shown promising results in the treatment or prevention of stress-related disorders in cats.   * Marta Amat et al.: “Stress in owned cats: behavioral changes and welfare implications,” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, June 2015, http://jfm.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/06/17/1098612X15590867