Signs of stress in cats may include:
Stress and feline health are linked. Signs of stress in cats can result from a wide range of physical and behavioral causes.
Cat stress often arises from pain, such as from an injury or chronic condition. For example, senior cats who develop arthritis can experience discomfort throughout their whole body. This can impair mobility, making it difficult to squat or self-groom, which may result in accidents outside the litter box or an unkempt appearance. If your cat is in pain, they may also hide or shy away from your touch.
Anything from fever to constipation to decreased kidney function can leave your cat feeling out of sorts and increase their stress levels. If you have more than one cat in your home, illness can impact how cats relate to one another. One sick cat can increase stress in other cats in the home.
Kittens who aren't properly socialized can act fearful when faced with something new — whether that's another pet, human family member or experience. If you didn't adopt your cat as a kitten, they may have negative associations with certain experiences from kittenhood (e.g., kids handling them, exposure to dogs) that trigger stress behaviors.
Some cats experience cognitive changes, such as memory problems, in their senior years. Chemical changes in the brain can prompt obsessive behaviors, such as exaggerated or repetitive yowling; excessive grooming; eating, chewing or sucking on inedible items, such as fabric; or self-injury, such as attacking their tail. Certain breeds, including Siamese, Burmese and Abyssinian cats, may be at higher risk of these behaviors.
As your cat ages, their hearing, sight and smell decline. This can affect how they interact with the world. If your cat doesn't see or hear well, they may be more easily startled, which can lead to stress.
Changes to a cat's usual environment — such as rearranged furniture or a new family member in the home — can cause stress in cats. Older cats may be more sensitive to household changes since their ability to adapt to new situations declines over time. Insufficient resources, including litter boxes and scratching objects, an unclean litter box and lack of environmental enrichment can also cause stress.
Some cats become stressed when they're left home alone. This is especially prevalent among cats who have been rehomed or have a history of abandonment.
Never punish or scold your cat for unwanted behaviors — period. This only increases fear and makes things worse. Here are a few strategies that can help you minimize stressors and get your cat back to feeling their best.
If you see signs of stress in your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian to diagnose, rule out or address any underlying health concerns. In some cases, your vet may recommend stress-reducing medication. They can also help you choose a complete and balanced food for your cat's life stage to ensure they're getting the nutrients they need to thrive.
Depending on their assessment, your vet may refer you to an animal behavior specialist. Behavior experts can help you identify stress triggers and reduce unwanted behaviors by eliminating triggers. They may also try desensitizing or counterconditioning your cat, which involves safe, repeated exposure to triggers or new, positive associations with triggers, respectively.
Environmental enrichment supports emotional and physical health and helps cats feel safe and relaxed. Here are some simple ways to enrich your cat's environment:
Cat trees, perches and shelves allow cats to relax far away from perceived danger. Place them near windows so they can watch birds and critters go by.
Set up feeders and birdbaths by windows. Bring a box of leaves inside so your cat can crunch and sniff. Grow cat grass so your cat has something fresh to nibble on.
Boxes, tunnels and other safe havens can help cats feel secure and provide a quiet place to escape the commotion.
Scratching relieves cat stress by marking objects with pheromones that signal safety. Buy a few options at your local pet store, or Burmese at home!
Sharing facilities is stressful for many cats, and some cats prefer one box for solids and another for liquids. Offer one litter box per cat plus one (two for one cat; three for two cats), and place them in different rooms to ensure everyone has easy access.
Scoop litter boxes at least one to two times a day.
Some cats will avoid their litter box altogether if it's uncomfortably close to where they eat.
Relieve boredom and encourage your cat's natural hunting instinct by placing puzzle toys filled with treats or your cat's usual food around the house (factor this into their daily caloric intake to support a healthy body condition).
Chronic stress can have a physiological effect on your kitty's health. Getting your cat the care they need is in their best interest, and it helps maintain a peaceful home. With love, patience and help from your veterinarian, your cat can get back to their healthiest, happiest self.
Amy Shojai, is a certified animal behavior consultant, and nationally known authority on pet care and behavior. She began her career as a veterinary technician and is the award-winning author of more than 35 prescriptive nonfiction pet books.
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition (USA Study)
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Supports the developmental needs of kittens to help start life with healthy growth and a strong immune system.ain, eye & immune system development
Delicious taste of gourmet chicken in precisely balanced nutrition. Provide a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity level.
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Healthy digestion for easy litter box clean-up
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Healthy digestion for easy litter box clean-up
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Supports healthy brain, eye & immune system development
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Delicious taste of gourmet minced beef in precisely balanced nutrition. Provides a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity level.
Supports brain health and beautiful fur in mature cats
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Highly digestible food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Learn tips for identifying and minimizing overly aggressive play cats, such as adopting positive play techniques with your feline friend.
Many human foods are dangerous to cats. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them.
Socializing a cat into a new home takes patience and love. Discover these cat socialization tips to help an adopted cat adjust to her family.
Learn from a Veterinarian: Discover the underlying causes, typical symptoms and possible treatments for both type 1 and type 2 of diabetes in cats.
While coccidia in cats is a common infection, it's good to know the common symptoms, how it's treated and what you can do to prevent it. Learn more.
Learn what your cat really means when she blinks slowly at you and why it's a gesture you can give her in return.
How do you get a cat to lose weight? Learn all about cat foods for weight loss, including how to choose weight control cat food and exercise tips.
Discover interesting information about whether you cat actually understands your words and if it's important to actually talk to your feline friend.
Learn what your female cat needs for proper nutrition when pregnant or nursing, so you can make sure you are feeding her properly.
Learn what cat grass is, whether it's safe for your kitty and why it may be beneficial for certain breeds, especially ones that are prone to hairballs.
Find out why a cat scooting on carpet could be a sign of inflamed anal glands and what you can do to help relieve your cat's agitation.
If you have or think you have a pregnant cat, click to learn more about how to properly care for her needs including preparation and delivery tips.
Learn from a Veterinarian: Discover how your cat's metabolism can affect her health, including weight fluctuations, and how metabolic cat food can help.
Understand the importance that kidneys play in your cat's health, and know how to spot the warning signs of kidney disease.
Learn about the role of fiber in cat food, including how it can benefit cats with a variety of health conditions like diarrhea, constipation and diabetes.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Cats: Signs & Prevention
Learn common reasons why cats lick their paws, as well as signs when it might be excessive (such as hair loss) & what to do if it seems like a problem.
Keep your cat both mentally and physically active with these fun tips for play and exercise even when you're not home.
Know the risks of giving your cat over-the-counter pain medications, and how to properly care for their pain.
Learn causes & symptoms associated with blood in cat urine, including underlying urinary tract problems or issues like FLUTD, as well as treatment options.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool