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| I do suffer from anxiety at times you know! |
Now
that firework nights are over (I hope) and we can go back to
normality (for at least a little while till Xmas or Meowmas arrives
and humits go bonkers again) I thought that it is about time to
remind all you humits out there a few truths about us kitties ...For
example that us, kitties, too we also suffer for stress and extreme
anxiety at times....
For
example appetite along with weight changes, depression, digestive
problems, nervous behaviour, and loss of sleep are not only symptoms
of human anxiety but also cat anxiety too as kitties can suffer from
anxiety in many ways like humans do, and which anxiety in many cases
can be prevented (and I even speak from experience here).
As
we kitties also experience anxiety too, it is then their humit's
responsibility to be in tune to their kitties behaviour and mental
state and pick up on changes that might indicate their kitty is
suffering from stress. Us, kitties, experience anxiety because of
psychological, physical, and environmental factors and without
intervention, the results of a kitty's stress may become harmful to
her health by comprising her immune system and making it susceptible
as a result to many illnesses.
As
everybody knows every kitty is an individual and as a result it will
show signs of anxiety in her own way. This is why it is important
that any change in your kitty's behaviour is noticed as soon as
possible by the humit carer. Signs of anxiety can be things like:
Changes
in appetite or weight, excessive vocaliisation, changes in toilet
habits (such as urinating outside of the litter tray), some
compulsive behaviours such as excessive grooming or even fur pulling
and self-mutilation, aggression, lethargy or depression, the onset of
sudden destructive behaviours (such as furniture scratching),
restlessness, etc.
So
if your kitty is showing any signs of stress and anxiety, it is
very important that you talk with your vet first to rule out any
possible medical problems that might cause such behaviour and if the
kitty is physically healthy, then ideally to try and at least speak
to a kitty behaviour specialist for advice on how to deal with their
kitty's anxiety
The
humit also should try and and determine the cause of the kitty's
anxiety: For example could any of the following be the cause of the
such an anxiety?
When
there have being long periods of separation from family (because of
holidays perhaps) , perhaps because of boredom or even lack of
exercise or interactive play (nope, no problems here for
certain)...or even some form of fear such as loud noises, other
cats, certain people or objects, etc. (especially if the cat is very
timid and nervous by nature), inadequate nutrition (my favourite
one) or health problem / pain or some form of discomfort ,
even insufficent space (when more than one cats are sharing the same
environment), sudden changes to daily routine and of course loss or
addition of a family member (a new baby or kitty or any other pet).
Along
with talking with a cat behaviour expert to establish cause and
possible treatment there are also several things that a humit can do
to try to minimize stress and anxiety in the their kitty's life (such
as making first of all the cat's well-being a priority of course).
For example the humit should try and enrich their kitty's environment
with sufficient toys and games and also by trying to play with
their kitty with interactive toys such as a laser pointer or a
mouse/bird/snake like toy or even feathers at the end of wand or
hanging from a small fishing pole and then move it around like a
small prey so to give the cat the opportunity to stalk and eventually
catch her prey. By also providing some catnip or kitty grass or even
by adding a couple of new scratching areas around the house.
Providing also high-quality, nutritious cat food, fresh water, and
sufficient attention could also help.
Treating
anxiety can be a long and tedious process so the humit carer would
need to be persistent if he/she wants to help her/his kitty to
overcome her anxiety.
You
see, us, kitties, like humans, we also experience emotional stress,
and it is something that it needs to be taken seriously and treated
accordingly by you all humits!
