annavacations.blogg.se - Cat pica diffusers

It’s therefore really important that you introduce the cats carefully and gradually and that you manage their environment, resources and relationship over the long term so they can live together harmoniously in the home. Unlike dogs, as cats have evolved from a mainly solitary species, they may see the presence of another cat in the home as a possible ‘threat’. It’s therefore important to try to maintain a resident cat’s normal routines as much as possible, and if you need to move any of her resources to accommodate the arrival of a new cat, that you do this gradually and before the new cat arrives. The arrival and presence of other cats or dogs in the home can be very stressful for a cat – whether this is from the perspective of a new cat to the home being introduced to an existing cat already resident in the home or from the perspective of the resident cat trying to cope with the arrival of an unfamiliar cat in their home.įor the new cat, this can be a particularly stressful time as they are being introduced to an unfamiliar home, new people and other pets all at the same time which is likely to make even the boldest and most confident cat feel worried and unsettled.įor the resident cat, as well as the stress associated with the sudden presence of an unfamiliar cat in to their home (often referred to as a cat’s ‘core territory’), there are likely to be other general changes associated with the addition of a new cat that might also cause your cat stress (such as a change in your behaviour, changes in routines, changes to access around the home etc.). Exaggerated swallowing and quick flicks of their tongue onto their nose.

Rapid frequent grooming that usually lasts around five seconds, starting and stopping quite suddenly.

Staring at the floor with a fixed, glazed expression.

Wide open eyes with very dilated pupils which makes their eyes look black.

Ears rotate backwards frequently or flatten downwards.

Often crouching and looking tense indoors.

You may notice your cat sits differently, their facial expression changes or they exhibit strange behaviours.

Repeated pacing when in the home, often accompanied by loud meowing.

Reluctance to play – having previously been very playful.

under a sofa or bed, on top of a wardrobe)

Frequent hiding when in the home (e.g.

Constant vigilance and jumps at every sudden sound or movement.

Unresponsiveness to things going on around them (they don't jump or get startled by loud noises or quick movements).

Withdrawal from you and the family, no longer interested in interacting with you.

An increased dependency on you or your family, constantly wanting to interact.

Aggressive behaviour directed towards other pets in the home.

Aggressive behaviour directed towards you, your family or visitors.

Scratching excessively on the furniture.

Spraying urine on furniture and other items around the home.

behind the sofa, under the bed, on the bed etc.)

Toileting outside of the litter tray (e.g.

Any noticeable change in your cat’s usual patterns of behaviour and routines.

Frequent squatting, painful urination with blood in it (e.g.

Not going to the toilet as often as usual (faeces and/or urine).

Looking lethargic and sleeping more than usual.

Poor appetite or eating less than normal.

Eating non-food items such as plastic or wool (this is called ‘pica’).

Symptoms get worse in cats with chronic health conditions or recovery from illness is slow (stress can affect a cat’s immune system and ability to fight disease).

Large bald patches or sores on the coat caused by over grooming.

There are some common signs of a stressed cat, both physical and behavioural.

This means you need to keep a close eye on your cat’s physical health as well as their behaviour so that anything ‘odd’ or ‘out of character’ that could be a sign of stress is quickly identified.

The sooner you realise that your cat could be experiencing stress, the sooner you can resolve the problem. Cats may lose their appetite or be sick occasionally or behave in a way that owners have never seen before, such as spraying urine against the wall indoors or behaving aggressively. Often owners may only notice something is ‘not quite right’ with their cats when they have already been stressed for some time. It is important that you manage and reduce stress in your cat as much as you can because if your cat is stressed, they can become both emotionally and physically unwell and may develop physical illnesses as well as display problem behaviour. Evolving from a largely independent and solitary species (called the African or Near Eastern wildcat), the domestic cat can be very good at hiding signs that they are stressed or in pain, because in the wild this would make them an easier target for predators.