Stress befalls all of us, including our furry friends. The Kingston Trio hit the nail on the head when they sang “The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.” Fester indeed, and we humans aren’t the only ones feeling the pressure of it all. Whether you realize it or not, your pets can sense when you’re “up tight and out of sight.” I see it in my five fur kids in the form of temper tantrums, loss of appetite and growling at each other. This is their way of showing stress.
Cats and dogs also suffer from depression. Thank Goodness they can’t comprehend the TV news! Of course, this behavior could also mean that something physically wrong may be going on, so this should always be checked out first. Growling could be a sign of pain. When cats are stressed out, they like to find a hidey-hole where they can be alone to sulk. This should be provided somewhere in the house away from TV’s, vacuum cleaners and junior practicing his trombone. This hidey-hole should be a comfortable and secure place like a covered bed or a cardboard box with a hole cut in the side just big enough for kitty to get in and out. This will give them a sense of security and help them calm down. There are such things as pheromone diffusers and calming supplements, but I would first ask my vet before introducing any “medicinal fixes” to my cat’s routine.
Cats can also suffer from separation anxiety just like dogs do. Signs of it could be excessive meowing, destructive behavior or “going” outside the litter box. If you work long hours, night shift, or are going to be away overnight, it would be a comfort to your kitty if you dig into the laundry hamper and leave a sweatshirt, shorts or sox out on the floor to provide the comforting scent of you. Lots of toys are a help too. Or better yet, get another cat for a companion; they’re like headlights you know . . . you shouldn’t have just one!
If your cat headbutts you rejoice, for you are loved. This is a sign of bonding and affection. Have you ever noticed that your cat has a variety of different purrs? Different purrs mean different things. Cats are intelligent creatures and experts at the art of manipulation. Cats easily adapt to their environment which includes you and your habits. Have you ever awakened to your cat sitting next to your pillow purring and glaring at you with a stare that freaks you out? Miss kitty has learned that this will get you awake and headed for the kitchen. Some research on “purrs” discovered that cats have a “solution purr” that they use to manipulate us into feeding them. This purr is generally high-pitched and gets a quick response because people liken it to the sound of a baby crying. And you thought you’d survived that annoyance years ago!
Indications of a happy car are ears facing forward and straight up, tail held high and curled just at the end. A tail switching back and forth usually indicates irritation. A relaxed cat will often tuck their paws underneath themselves when lying down.
I think cats are psychic. My cats always know what time it is, what mood I’m in and whether or not I’m feeling up to par. Now if they could only tell me what Congress and the stock market are going to do next, I’d be a happy camper.
There’s much more to cat behavior, but it can keep until another time.
