When you look at the cat, peacefully dozing on the couch, it seems that there is no more calm and unperturbed creature. In fact, this is not so, pets quite sharply react to external stimuli, as a result of which they can be stressed. In cats, neuroses develop quite often, and the unfavorable situation in the house is not always the reason. In this article, we propose to consider the question of why cats experience stress, how they are expressed and how to get rid of them.
Stress and its consequences
Stress in cats is a neurological disease that develops under the influence of certain events. When the nervous system is stressed, both the behavior of the animal and the work of internal organs change.
Stress in cats, as in humans, is short-term and long-term. If the first passes quickly and without consequences, then the second can greatly affect the health of the pet. With long-term stress, immunity decreases, the animal becomes most susceptible to infectious diseases. Stress adversely affects the digestive tract and the genitourinary system. The risk of developing hypertension, skin diseases (eczema and dermatitis), and an increase in blood sugar is likely.
Stages of Stress
Stress in cats develops in three stages:
- The first stage can pass unnoticed by the owner. The animal becomes alert, anxious, can show both hyperactivity and apathy. Inside, changes also occur: breathing quickens, body temperature and pressure decrease.
- The second stage is adaptation to a new state. During this period, the cat calms down and begins to behave as before.
- Depletion - this stage occurs if the causes that led to stress are not eliminated. The regenerative forces of the cat are running out, it falls into extreme apathy. In this case, the animal refuses food and water, depletion, dehydration occurs, then dystrophy. This stage may end for the animal fatal.
Causes of Stress in Cats
Stress resistance, the state of the nervous system and the adaptability to adaptation are different for each cat, therefore, under the same circumstances, some individuals experience stress, while others do not.
Animal habits and surroundings affect the perception of stimuli. What is considered the norm for some cats, for others it will be very stressful.
There are several types of irritants that provoke its occurrence:
- Physical: burns, injuries, frostbite, too cold or hot conditions, excessively dry or humid air.
- Chemical: smoke in the room, poisoning with combustion products or other substances.
- Biological: lack of vitamins, protracted disease, hunger.
- Mental: a sharp change of scenery, housing, regime, fear, insufficient or excessive attention.
The most common variety of causes is the latter. Any failure in the lifestyle of the animal leads to stress. For example, the food schedule was changed, a relocation to another place of residence took place, new furniture was bought, the animal was left to its own devices, although before that it was surrounded by care, or vice versa, excessive attention is shown by children, grandchildren, relatives, guests, despite the fact that the cat I’m used to being alone and don’t like affection.
It is proved that a cat is not so attached to a person as to a house. If you decide to go on vacation or a business trip, it is better to ask friends to look after the pet than to take it with you. Another thing is moving to a new place. The cat will react sharply to this change of scenery, it may in the first days refuse food, even run away. It is not recommended to let a cat out for a walk immediately after moving, it should adapt to a new place, get used to it.
In addition to moving to the cat's psyche, a change of scenery also affects: repair, furniture relocation, new interior items and furniture. Cats are also sensitive to the appearance of new pets, frequent visits by guests.
Signs
Symptoms of stress in a cat manifest in different ways. There are strong manifestations of anxiety and weak, which many may simply not pay attention to:
- refusal of food or, conversely, overeating;
- strange taste preferences, which can be expressed in eating clothes, houseplants, potted land and so on;
- reduced tone, low pressure and temperature;
- apathy or excessive agitation;
- ignoring the owner;
- aggression;
- retardation;
- constant licking, which leads to the formation of bald patches and irritation, or, conversely, lack of craving for hygiene, against which the coat becomes dull and unkempt;
- diarrhea;
- frequent yawning.
If signs of stress are observed in the animal, then you need to identify the cause, eliminate it. If nothing can be fixed when moving or changing the situation, then walking with a cat, playing with old toys, stroking, caressing and talking in a calm voice will help.
Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of stress, you need to follow simple rules:
- Do not forget to feed the cat and pour her water.
- For a long time, do not leave one if she is used to communication, and do not burden with unnecessary attention.
- Set up a cat house or bed in a remote corner. If guests come, do not allow to climb to the animal, especially children. She herself, if she wants, will leave the shelter and make contact.
- When moving, first get the cat's house, bowl, toys and tray. Make her a corner of the usual things, show a new place of the toilet.
- Do not restrict the pet’s access to the window, cats are very curious and love to watch life flowing past. If there are plants on the windowsills, move them so that the animal can fit there.
Treatment
How to relieve stress in a cat, if prevention and the first measures taken to eliminate the causes did not help? In this case, you will have to apply medication. But it is worth remembering that only a qualified veterinarian should prescribe medication and dosage.
In order for the cat to adapt to the new situation, pheromones are prescribed, which spray walls and furniture.
Benzodiazepines are psychoactive substances used to treat stress. Drugs in this group are addictive, so treatment should be monitored by a veterinarian, and the course should be completed gradually.
You will need to choose the right nutrition. Choose foods that contain a lot of Omega-3, these are products:
- olive, vegetable and linseed oils;
- chicken eggs;
- sea fish.
Treating stress in a cat is a must. The process will take some time, during this period it is necessary to be affectionate with the animal, do not scold him, act according to the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Doctors often prescribe a change of diet - an introduction to the diet of a professional and balanced feed for stress in cats. Hills Urinari is one such feed.
Hills Urinari food - what is it?
Stress in 60% of cases causes the development of idiopathic cystitis in cats, which, in turn, causes urological diseases. Hills Urinari is a specialized cat food that, thanks to its unique composition, reduces stress and the likelihood of developing idiopathic cystitis.
At present, there are no analogues of such feed that can be purchased and used without a doctor's prescription. "Hills Urinari" helps the cat adapt faster to new housing, furnishings, children, people and other animals. Also, the food is recommended to reduce stress during frequent exhibitions and eating low-quality products.
Recommendations and contraindications
Hills Urinari is recommended for feeding in the following cases:
- If you plan to move, change furniture, repair, visit guests for a long time, then you need to include this feed in the diet in advance.
- With urolithiasis (dissolution of stones and sand, urolithiasis of any type, urethral plugs, diseases of the urinary tract and so on).
- When feeding low-quality feed, stable exhibitions, moving and departing.
Contraindications:
- Do not use food if the animal is given drugs that acidify urine;
- Not intended for feeding pregnant, lactating cats and kittens.
Feed Release Form
Hills Urinari fodder is produced both in dry form and in the form of canned food. The package contains the composition, the content of vitamins, minerals, as well as the dosage for mixed (natural food + dry and wet food) and constant feeding of dry and wet food.
The Hills of Urinari is produced in France.
The cat has stress: what to do?
It happens that without the use of drugs just can not do. To calm down, veterinarians often prescribe Stop-Stress drops for cats. Reviews about this drug are available in large numbers, and almost all of them are positive. They write that under stress, the medicine really helps, but it will not be possible to cope with its help with the animal’s natural temperament.
"Stop-stress" quickly relieves the pet's nervous tension, it is recommended for moving, changing the environment, replenishing in the family (children, other animals), exhibitions and other moments in which the cat begins to worry, get scared, and hide.
The main active ingredient is phenibut. In addition to it, there are auxiliary components that will help not only overcome stress, but also have a beneficial effect on the general condition:
- valerian;
- peony;
- motherwort;
- scutellaria;
- mint;
- hop.
The drug is available in two forms - drops and tablets. First of all, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the instruction for Stop-Stress drops for cats.
How to give drops
Few cats agree to take the drug voluntarily, so you have to try and force the medicine into your pussy mouth. Open her mouth, drop one drop on the root of the tongue, it will be good if you immediately offer a piece of goodies so that the drug is completely swallowed.
Use the medicine twice a day. The course of administration is calculated based on the condition of the animal and ranges from 15 to 20 days.
How to give pills
In this form, the medicine is not easier to give, but not more difficult. Stop-stress pills for cats are given twice a day, but the dosage is calculated individually, based on the weight of the animal.
- Up to 5 kilograms - half a tablet twice a day.
- More than 5 kilograms - a whole tablet twice a day.
The medicine can be put in the feed, but there is no guarantee that the animal will eat it for sure. It is better to act forcefully: open the cat’s mouth, put the pill on the root of the tongue, close the mouth, hold the animal’s head with its muzzle up, stroking the neck until the pill is swallowed.
The duration of the course is the same as with the treatment with drops.
Contraindications, side effects of tablets
In no case should a cat be given “Stop-stress” if there is an individual intolerance to any of the components.
The drug is contraindicated:
- pregnant and lactating cats;
- pets under the age of one year;
- with diabetes;
- with tumor formations;
- with diseases of the MPS.
Of the side effects may be observed:
- irritability or drowsiness;
- vomiting
- an allergic reaction that occurs on the skin of an animal.
If these symptoms were noted after taking the drug, then you must urgently stop treatment with them and show the cat to the veterinarian.