Crazy Cats!!

Modern life can be stressful for cats!

On one hand they are fed and cared for by humans but on the other they are often kept indoors, expected to live with other cats and dogs and their natural behaviours frowned upon by their human owners.

Cats can develop stress related behaviours for any number of reasons and it can be hard for us to understand these triggers and deal with them. Understanding how a cat sees the world is an important step towards having a happy and contented cat (and owner!)

• Scratching furniture, walls, carpets etc

It is a cat’s natural instinct to scratch surfaces within its territory. Scratching trees and fences in the outside world is a way to mark a cat’s territory and helps to sharpen claws for hunting.

• Urine Marking

If a cat feels that its territory is being threatened then it may try to reclaim it by scent marking. This may be rubbing face or body on surfaces but may also involve urine marking. In the wild this is very common behaviour but is less desirable in the home!

• Hiding, Running Away

Most cats naturally will try to avoid conflict. If they are presented with a situation they are not equipped to deal with their natural instinct is to run away from it and hide in a safe place.

• Over-grooming

The act of grooming is naturally quite relaxing to a cat and promotes a sense of well-being. At times of stress this may cause them to over-groom in an attempt to achieve a more relaxed state.

• Aggression

In very few cases a cat may feel that the only way to deal with a stressful situation is to react aggressively, the ‘fight’ in ‘fight or flight’. This behaviour may be directed against the owner, visitors or other animals.

Introduction of new pet to household

Disruption of daily routine

Introduction of new person to household

New cat in territory

Introduction of new furniture/decorating within the home

Multi-cat households

Moving home

Visits to or hospitalisation at the vets!

Fireworks

Feliway is a product that can be used to help reduce anxiety and stress. It is a synthetic copy of feline facial pheromones, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. Feliway can be used to help comfort and reassure cats whilst the deal with a challenging situation or help prevent or reduce the stress caused to a cat during a change in their environment. Go to www.thesecrettohappypets.co.uk for more information.

Zylkene capsules contain milk powder and enzymes which promote a sense of well-being and help reduce anxiety. Go to www.zylkene.co.uk for more information.

Both products can be purchased over the counter from Deane Vets. Contact the surgery for more advice or information.