Pet Connection: A happy cat is an unstressed cat

By Dr. Narda Robinson
Universal Syndicate

If your cat’s stressed out, there’s a pretty good likelihood that you soon will be, too. That’s because stress is a key factor in the development of health problems that lead to litter-box misses.

While that’s not the only thing feline stress can cause or make worse, one can argue that what veterinarians call “inappropriate elimination” can be deadly. That’s because many a frustrated cat owner will give up on a cat who cannot be relied upon to hit the box. These cats often end up at the shelter, where their past puts a pall on their future.

Because behavioral problems are often really medical problems, such a cat needs the attention of a veterinarian. But reducing stress will help, even if there is a medical problem to be treated – and especially if there isn’t. Here are some possible stresses and solutions for cats:

• Too many cats, too few boxes, not a clean restroom for miles: Tension and aggression can be a big factor in multiple-animal households. It’s important to ask if one cat is hogging the litter box and ambushing the others. The litter boxes also must be clean and must be in private, quiet places filled with an unscented product, which is what most cats prefer.

Litter boxes need to be accessible, especially to older cats that may not move very well, or to cats that may be put off by lidded boxes, too little litter or litter that isn’t to a cat’s liking in any way.

Back to multiples: Have at least one box per cat to avoid problems potentially caused by sharing.

• Filling the dishes with more than good intentions: Cats don’t like change, which is why abrupt changes in food, dish location or even feeding schedules can be stressful. Problems with food, such as allergies, can also cause stress, as can a diet with too little water in it. And here, too, privacy is an issue: As solitary hunters, cats prefer to eat more frequent, smaller meals in privacy. Even bowls can cause problems for some cats that won’t drink water from a bowl used by other cats, one that’s not full of clean, very fresh water or even one that’s made of plastic, which may not smell right to some pets.

Talk to your veterinarian about the right food for your cat, and consider getting a pet water fountain for a constant supply of recirculated, filtered water.

• Bored cats are stressed cats: Environmental enrichment is very important considering that many cats these days live completely indoors. Since cats love to be outside, consider adding a screened porch or cat fencing to keep them in your yard safely. Your home can also be made more interesting with increased vertical space to explore, using cat towers. Cats also need places to be by themselves – hiding spots to give them some space where they cannot be bothered by other members of the family, either pets or people. And don’t forget toys and play time. Also offer greens: both grass shoots for eating, and catnip or dried valerian for rolling in and relaxing with after play.

• Noisy homes aren’t feline-friendly: Take a “sonic inventory” and reduce the noise levels. Loud TVs, video games or noisy family members can be too much for many cats. Plan some quiet time or give cats the ability to get away from the racket.

• Massage is good for you both: Petting a cat lowers your stress levels as well as your cat’s. Increase the two-way pleasure by indulging in massage and gentle brushing of your cat’s lovely coat. For cats with pain, acupuncture and laser therapy may additionally help ease stress caused by discomfort.

• For any kind of stress, see if the product Feliway will help: Feliway offers the comfort of feline facial pheromones, a smell cats naturally find reassuring and relaxing.

Your cat doesn’t have to be sick or “misbehaving” to benefit from stress reduction, either. Consider it an investment in a higher quality of life for you both.

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Guest columnist Dr. Narda Robinson is director of the Center for Comparative and Integrative Pain Medicine at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the PetConnection.com advisory team.