STRESS AND YOUR CATThe role of stress in human diseases has been a major concern, but are you aware that cats have a lower threshold of stress than humans? Things that would not ordinarily be stressful to humans, can sometimes be painful to a cat. As well as things that would be physically stressful to cats, such as strong smells, loud noises, and extreme temperature changes, the cat is also extremely sensitive to emotional stress, which can be triggered by such things as the loss of a human or animal companion. While cats are able to handle normal stress in their daily lives, faced with extreme, multiple, or prolonged stress, their resistance is lowered. This leaves them susceptible to catching various germs or viruses in the air; things that other cats would normally be able to fend off. Stress can also act as a trigger that activates any lurking disease or pathological disorder within the body. In an event where one condition is activated repeatedly by any stressful situation, it is called the cat's "stress target". Almost any illness from Upper Respiratory Infection to Feline Acne can become active if there is sufficient stress to cause a cat's particular "stress target" to take hold and flourish. While we are unable to keep our cats totally free from stress, there are steps we can take to help them through unavoidable stressful situations. CAUSES OF STRESS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM Loud noises - A cat has a very sharp sense of hearing, therefore, ask visitors to speak in a normal tone of voice, rather than yelling Any surprise - Never sneak up on a sleeping cat. Before touching a cat or giving medication, announce your intentions Change in owner's emotional state - Cats are very sensitive to human emotions, and know when their owners are upset, depressed, or worried about something. While you cannot hide your tension from your cat, you can help ease his/her stress by letting the cat know what is troubling you, and that you are glad to have them there to comfort you? In the event that your source of worry is your cat's illness, try to keep positive thoughts in your mind in order to lower the cat's level of stress. Changes in the cat's environment - When doing such things as painting or re-arranging furniture, confine the cat to a room where no changes are taking place. Ensure as many of the cat's favourite things are in that room, such as favourite toys, scratching post, and kitty bed. Moving from one residence to another - Cats are very inquisitive animals, and while they love nothing more than to play in empty cardboard boxes, the emotional strain moving causes, can be detrimental to your cat's health. In order to make things as stress-free as possible while moving into a new home, confine the cat in a room already furnished with familiar items. Before placing the cat in the room, make sure that food and water dishes, toys and the litter box are already there. Let the cat get used to that room before introducing them to the rest of their new home. New visitors to your home - Cats, especially shy ones, should not be thrust at people who have never been to your home before. Instead, they must be given time to approach the person in their own time.
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