Felinoterapie, NCHK

Scientists have found that stress is a significant trigger for most common behavioural problems in cats and some common diseases.

Cats don't show their emotions as openly as some other species and tend to withdraw and quiet down rather than "show" their distress. It is therefore essential that owners are able to recognise subtle signs of stress in their cats so that they can give them the best possible care.

Not all stress is harmful

Stress in a cat's body is regulated by several physiological systems, most notably the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These systems are tasked with managing the "normal" short-term stress associated with the natural way of feline life. These systems control the release of hormones that prepare the individual for a rapid response, often referred to as the fight/flight response or acute stress response.

However, these systems are less well adapted to handle chronic or long-term stress, and it is this type of stress that plays a significant role in the development of behavioral problems and stress-related diseases in cats.

Why are some cats more prone to developing chronic stress than others?

An individual's ability to cope with problems depends on both genetic and environmental factors. The development of the physiological systems involved in the stress response begins before the kitten is born, and if the mother is stressed during pregnancy or receives poor nutrition, her kitten may be more susceptible to developing the stress and maladaptive coping strategies that underlie many common behavioral problems.

Lack of early socialisation and opportunities to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a typical home environment can also result in a very challenging later life.

Types of stress and how to recognise them

Acute stress

Acute stress can be caused by an unexpected event or threat and is relatively easy to recognise in cats. It is short-term.

It can manifest many of the following symptoms:

• Body - crouched, the cat stands fully on all four limbs. There may also be tremors.

• Abdomen - approaching the ground, observed rapid breathing

• Legs - bent

• Tail - pulled towards the body or curled under the body

• Head - lower than the body, immobile

• Eyes - wide open

• Pupils - fully dilated

• Ears - fully folded back on head

• Tactile whiskers - pulled back

• Vocal expressions - simple meows, growls or quiet meows, hisses, hums

• Pissing, defecation

• Aggressiveness on approach

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Chronic stress
Chronic stress is more difficult to recognise because it can develop over a long period of time and its symptoms may be more subtle; it is more likely to affect behaviour patterns and daily routines.

We may observe:

• The cat refuses to accept feeding, or only reluctantly (depending on personality type)

• Cat overeats (depending on personality type)

• Not taking care of the coat

• Marking urine and feces outside of designated areas

• Increased rest or "pretend" sleep

• Hiding

• Increased dependency or social withdrawal (depending on personality type).

• Defensive aggression towards people/cats

• Extreme vigilance and increased startle response (even at the slightest noise)

• Lack of play activity

• Changes in general behaviour patterns, e.g. spending significantly more time indoors, regardless of normal seasonal changes, if the cat has free access to the outdoors

• Lack of urination or defecation

• Urine marking indoors

• Excessive grooming, pulling or licking of fur, self-mutilation

• Pica (eating wool and other indigestible materials)

• Increased rubbing of face against objects or people

• Scratching furniture and carpets

• Displacement activity (repeated behaviour out of context)

• Redirected aggression (towards a target that is not the original source of threat)

• Ambivalent behaviour (approach/retraction, conflicting signals occurring almost simultaneously)

What stresses cats?

Factors that can potentially cause stress in cats can be found in interactions with humans and the environment, but a significant portion of the stress experienced by cats is related to their own species.

If your cat is sharing resources with cats he doesn't get along with, it can be a constant nightmare for him, as can living in a neighborhood with a high cat population.

Unfortunately, some owners may be inadvertently contributing to their cats' stress levels. Some owners can physicallyirritate their cats by demanding more contact than the cat is comfortable with. Other owners may be inconsistent in their approach, confusing their cats with their inconsistency so that their cats do not know how to react in the moment.

The environment where the cat lives also has an understandable effect on the amount of stress the cat experiences. Humans tend to protect cats from all potential dangers and isolate cats completely at home without activating them and cats experience boredom. Cats must have free and safe access to shelters and hiding places, in addition to sufficient resources in the environment. t

What can we do to prevent or effectively reduce long-term stress in our cats?

If we can provide care for our cat that respects its needs as a species and as an individual, we have the best chance of preventing or reducing chronic stress. We must always keep in mind that the perception of stress in space from a cat's and a human's perspective is different.

Cats, like other animals including humans, are constantly assessing risk and looking for threat and danger in every new place or social encounter. Therefore, they are very reassured if their life consists of familiar routines and a certain degree of predictability, because historically they know they are safe. Predictability in behavior and establishing daily routines is a great way to relieve stress.

The number of cats kept needs to be carefully considered, especially if there is already a significant cat population in the area, as this can put additional pressure.

The amount of resources you provide for the cat (or cats) in the home (i.e. food bowls, water bowls, litter, roosts, shelters, high perches, scratching posts, toys) should always be sufficient to meet needs. A good formula for calculating the appropriate amount is "one item per cat plus one extra item placed in different locations".

A proper relationship with a cat is a continuous process, and understanding their specific emotional requirements as individuals is the key to a stress-free life. A confident, sociable cat will always want more attention than a shy cat or one that has not been properly socialised as a kitten. Allowing your cat to initiate contact between you is probably the easiest way to create the quality and quantity of affection he or she desires.

If your cat is allowed to go out, then the timing of any outings should preferably be left to the cat rather than you. If more than one cat is "time-sharing" the territory, there may be very specific times during the day when your cat will feel safe, and others when the garden is a much more dangerous place. Cats have an elaborate communication system that uses scent to convey a message about when certain individuals are in the area, and based on this, your cat is the best judge of when it's appropriate to get a breath of fresh air! For more information on cat communication, click here.

If your cat is kept exclusively indoors, a dynamic and challenging environment will provide exercise and entertainment and keep him or her from getting bored and frustrated. Cats need to behave like cats to be emotionally and physically healthy, so it will be essential to provide an environment that simulates the natural environment, for example with objects to climb on and the ability to lurk, hunt for prey and bite it - even if it is just a cuddly toy.

It is unrealistic to expect our cats' lives to be completely free of potential stress triggers, but if we are aware of what these triggers may be and keep them to a minimum, we can reduce the likelihood of problems arising from chronic stress.
Based on : Stress in cats | International Cat Care (icatcare.org)