In this blog we will look at the subtle signs of anxiety in cats. After reading, you will be able to identify if your cat is dealing with anxiety and how to support them.
There are times when I find new content on the internet and wonder just how reliable the source is. Let me tell you right from the start that I have been supporting an anxious cat for the past 5 years (at the time of writing this blog), so I’ve got a fair bit of experience when it comes to living with and loving an anxious cat!
Leo was feral for the first 18 months of his life, so not only was he a rescue, but he also had no real, positive exposure to humans during his socialisation periods as a kitten. And that is where our journey begins.
If your cat is hiding away under the bed, retreating to a small space such as beside the toilet or refusing any form of human interaction it’s a safe bet they are anxious and probably stressed.
To understand the difference between stress and anxiety in cats check out my YouTube Video: Why do cats have anxiety.
To see a cat trembling, hissing or reaching out to attack are all obvious signs of a stressed-out cat. But I believe that cat guardians need to understand the more subtle signs of anxiety in our feline friends. The ones that they hide ever so well!
So let’s dive in.
I want to expand on each of these a little more and share with you how you can support your cat if they are showing any of these signs.
This is one of the most prevalent signs of an anxious cat. Being constantly on alert, ready to deal with a threat, on guard even when there is little risk. In cats this looks like sleeping with one eye open or not being able to sleep. Rarely relaxing and going into a settled body language position. Being really jumpy and reacting to a small sound or change in their environment.
One of the best ways to support your cat if they are showing signs of this is to put down a herb garden. This gives the cat the opportunity to heal and balance their nervous system as and when they feel safe enough to do so. You will probably find that the cat will only use it overnight, when the house is quiet and they can go into a safe, healing state.
This may first appear as a cat being a picky eater – THIS IS NOT THE CASE! Sorry for the shouty capitals but trust me this is anxiety, not related to the food. If the cat is anxious they are likely feeling nauseous. They may need a little encouragement from you. Sitting with them as they eat or hand feeding them.
When a cat is anxious this energy sits in their solar plexus, in their tummy so of course it affects they appetite and digestion. When Leo has an anxious episode he can go off his food and take a few days to be able to eat a full plate again.
Think about a small child, when they are out of sorts the need a little extra TLC – and right now if you have an anxious cat, they need your help.
Does your cat come and sit on your lap for an hour one minute and then run away from you like you’re carrying a torch full of fire the next?! Switching between feeling safe and feeling threatened is a classic sign of an anxious cat. Their level of interaction with you is testament to how grounded, safe and secure they are feeling.
At times I will approach Leo, and he runs away from me like I’m Bigfoot! In those moments, it can be hard not to get frustrated and take it personally. Many times I have said to him ‘Buddy, it’s just me’ yet his eyes are huge, ears are flat, and he runs away like his life depended on it. And that’s OK.
The biggest way you can support your anxious cat with this secret sign of anxiety is to love them no matter what. Now I say to Leo, ‘Thank you for telling me you feel ungrounded Buddy, or I’m here for you as/when you are ready to connect.’ This isn’t about being p*&^ed off that he won’t come to me. It’s about understanding he is a sentient being and experiences a range of emotional states.
Thankfully Leo doesn’t wee around the house every day. In fact in the 5 years that I have had him he has probably done it about a dozen times. And each of them I can align with when he has felt unsafe, anxious and worried. When my ex-husband left, when I put the Christmas Tree up, when I got a new piece of furniture in the front room, or when I stayed away from the home.
If your cat does this every now and again they are trying to tell you something. It’s not about marking territory or doing it just to annoy you (that’s SO not how cats work!)
Take a look at my YouTube Video: Why is my cat weeing on the bed and see if the changes I talk about can help you both to deal with this secret sign of anxiety in cats.
OK So an overgrooming cat can be considered anxious because licking is a self-soothing mechanism performed by the cat. But what about a cat with a lack lustre coat? Cats are inherently clean animals and if your cat has a coat that seems dull, grubby, dry or spikey the likelihood is they aren’t taking care of themselves. A cat’s coat can be a good indicator of the cats overall health and well-being. If they are constantly cleaning it they need support, if they aren’t taking the time to clean, they need your help.
One of the best ways to help your cat with their coat maintenance and to help reduce their anxiety is to brush them. Brushing is a GREAT bonding exercise for you and your cat and helps to reduce both your anxiety and theirs. If you aren’t sure how to brush an anxious cat you can see my top tips here: YouTube Video: How to brush an anxious cat.
I hope this blog has helped. Anxiety in cats is a big topic so I’ve tried to touch on simple, but effective ways you can help your feline friend.
Feel free to get in touch and let me know how this blog has resonated for you, I love to hear from the Naturally Cats community. Or feel free to share it with a friend, colleague or co-worker using the buttons below.
Holistic Cat Therapist, empath, author and cat mum.
Helping anxious humans with anxious cats.
Giving cats a voice and changing the world's perception of cats.
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