Have you ever wondered why your cat suddenly jumped on top of a cupboard or ran into another room? Sometimes the things that cats find scary aren’t so obvious to us (and sometimes they are). Here are five things that could be causing your cat stress and some tips to help them through a scary experience.
The big boom in the sky
Fireworks are a combination of many scary things for cats – they smell weird, they’re loud, and they change your cat’s usually peaceful nighttime routine. Cats have very keen senses of hearing and smell, so if fireworks sound loud and smell a little weird to us, imagine what it’s like for your cat – and like fireworks. artifice usually only occur once a year, cats don’t have a chance to get familiar with the sensations. Along with all the anxiety-inducing effects, fireworks also contain toxic chemicals. So be sure to keep new and used fireworks away from curious cats.
Water in a BATH
Although not all cats are afraid of water, it’s fair to say that most are. You’ve probably seen videos of cats bending and stretching into unthinkable positions to avoid getting the tip of a claw in the bath. And speaking of claws, these will likely come into play as well in an attempt to avoid bath time. Why are cats so wary of water? This may be because their ancestors were desert dwellers. Or maybe it’s because cats are spotless self-toilets, which usually eliminates the need for a bath. Or maybe they just don’t like getting their hair wet. We will probably never know!
A change in…well, anything
Cats are creatures of habit, so when their routine or environment changes, it can cause anxiety or stress. For example, dinner time is dinner time, and they will definitely let you know if you missed it. Moving to a new home is another common stressor for cats. All their familiar things have been put away, they have to go for a drive (sometimes for hours) and then they arrive at the new house with all its new sounds, sights and smells. It’s a lot for a cat to adapt. Another event that can upset a cat’s status quo is the addition of a new family member (pet or person). Finding out that you’re not the only cat in your pet’s heart could certainly be a frightening realization.
Unknown objects, fruits or people
Remember the craze for “scaring your cat with a cucumber”? Hopefully, no one does this anymore, because intentionally scaring your cat is no fun and can cause him (or you) harm. But this is a good example of a cat who is afraid of unknown things (people, objects, fruits, etc.). Cats like to feel safe in their home – if anything new enters their space, it’s likely to cause stress. And in the case of the cucumber, it was probably the presence of something new (that wasn’t there 10 seconds ago) that scared off the harassed cats, not the cucumber itself. This could also be the case for your new couch or a visiting friend who wasn’t in the living room the last time your cat came in. Really, anything new to your cat’s environment could alarm him, especially when he appears suddenly.
A plant-based diet
Are cats actually “afraid” of a vegan (vegan) diet? Probably not. But the consequences of a plant-based diet that is not nutritionally balanced are frightening. Cats are obligate (strict) carnivores. This means they must eat meat to meet specific nutritional needs that cannot be met by plants or plant products alone. Cats have a unique need for preformed taurine, vitamin A and arachidonic acid, as well as an increased need for protein and arginine, which are best met by including meat in their diet. Failure to comply with these requirements can have a potentially fatal outcome for cats, and this East frightening.
A safe space to hide
So how do you know if your cat is scared? Some cats run away and hide, while others become clingy or even aggressive and destructive when feeling stressed or anxious. They may also shiver, meow excessively, pace and gasp, refuse to eat, or “miss” the litter box on purpose.
It’s important to have a safe space where your cat can retreat if something makes them anxious or stressed. Ideally, the safe zone should have two escape routes so your cat doesn’t feel trapped, and it should be in a quiet part of your home. Ongoing stress or anxiety can cause health problems in cats, so talk to your veterinarian if you are concerned about your cat’s anxiety or stress level.
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