The Thundershirt® for cats is a kitty-sized compression vest that applies a gentle, constant pressure, much like swaddling a baby. “Most products that are available over the counter don’t offer extreme results, but some may have a calming effect,” she says. If your cat does have anxiety, this can take many forms, from hiding and refusing to eat to urinating and defecating outside of their litter boxĭelgado adds that because many cat calming products are available without prescription from a veterinarian, owners can’t expect them to work miracles.
Both Delgado and Krieger stress that every cat is different, and a solution that works for one kitty might not work for another. However, finding the right one for your cat might take some trial and error. If you determine that your cat is suffering from anxiety, there are several options available. “On the other hand, cats that are comfortable in their environment will eat, drink and sleep in the open, they'll interact with their people, they'll play with toys, and they’ll generally be out and about-not just hiding and slinking around all the time,” Delgado explains. If your cat does have anxiety, this can take many forms, from hiding and refusing to eat to urinating and defecating outside of their litter box.
“There's a difference between cats that get scared during fireworks on the 4th of July and cats that spend a lot of their time stressed out or afraid of what may seem like nothing,” she says. Mikel Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant and cofounder of Feline Minds, a San Francisco Bay area company that offers cat behavior services, adds that anxiety is different from fear in that it’s a sustained condition. Even a home remodel or a raised voice can cause anxiety, depending on the cat.” “New situations, an unfamiliar environment or a previously unknown animal can all cause stress. “A change in routine can be very jarring for a cat,” says Krieger. What Causes Cat Anxiety?Īccording to The Cat Coach Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant based in Northern California, cat anxiety can stem from many causes. There are many reasons a cat may experience anxiety, but there are also many calming products that pet owners can try to help manage their cat’s anxiety. As a pet owner, keeping your cat’s anxiety under control is important for establishing and maintaining a positive pet and human relationship.
Humans are not the only ones that deal with anxiety issues-cats can suffer from anxiety, too.