Cats are often perceived as independent and self-sufficient creatures. However, they are complex animals and can experience significant anxiety, particularly when faced with environmental changes or forced proximity to other cats.
Understanding the signs of feline anxiety and how to address them is crucial for responsible pet ownership and ensuring your cat's wellbeing.
Why feline anxiety often goes undetected
Despite the significant impact anxiety can have on a cat's wellbeing, feline anxiety frequently goes unrecognised by owners for several reasons:
Subtle expression: Unlike dogs, cats often display stress in subtle ways that can be easily overlooked or misinterpreted as normal feline behaviour.
Natural tendency to hide weakness: As instinctive predators and prey, cats have evolved to mask signs of vulnerability. In the wild, displaying weakness could attract predators or competitors, so cats instinctively conceal discomfort and anxiety.
Gradual onset: Anxiety symptoms often develop gradually, making changes in behaviour less noticeable to owners who see their cats daily.
Normalisation of stress behaviours: Some owners come to accept certain stress behaviours—such as excessive grooming or hiding—as "just what cats do" rather than recognising them as signs of underlying anxiety.
Urban living: Cats living in close proximity to many other cats such as can be the case in an urban/suburban environment may display chronic low-level stress that owners perceive as normal.
Recognising signs of anxiety in cats
Anxious cats typically display their distress through several key behaviours:
Urine spraying on vertical surfaces
Inappropriate toileting outside the litter tray
Hiding or reduced social interaction
Changes in appetite - eating significantly more or less
Repetitive, purposeless behaviours (eg. overgrooming)
Aggression towards people or animals - often unprovoked
Increased vocalisation (meowing/howling) - often out of character
Restlessness or sleep changes - unable to settle or sleeping much more
Hypervigilance - constantly alert, jumpy or easily startled
Beyond these behavioural signs, cats suffering from anxiety are also susceptible to developing stress-related physical illnesses. Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is one example that is particularly common and often requires a combination of veterinary care and behavioural/environmental modifications to treat effectively.
Understanding house-soiling
Although elimination behaviour (the term used for a cat toileting) is a symptom of anxiety, it’s important to understand the underlying causes to be able to diagnose the problem and address it effectively. There are two distinct types of elimination issues, each with different underlying causes:
1. Inappropriate elimination
Inappropriate elimination refers to a cat urinating or defecating outside its litter tray in areas not typically associated with toileting behaviour, such as on furniture, carpets, or beds.
This behaviour is usually due to medical issues, environmental discomfort, or anxiety and is not intended as communication. In normal circumstances, cats prefer to eliminate in quiet, secluded locations, on substrates suitable for burying waste. These sites are usually at the periphery of their core living area, away from feeding and resting areas, with some cats preferring separate locations for urination and defecation.
When a cat stops using its litter tray, there may be a number of potential causes:
The location or substrate is no longer desirable or feels unsafe
The cat associates the location with feeling painful (e.g., from cystitis or constipation)
Physical pain prevents the cat from accessing its normal location (e.g., arthritis)
Medical issues have altered the frequency or urgency of elimination
Treatment approach:
Firstly, address any underlying medical issues (ie consult your veterinarian)
Identify and resolve environmental factors that’s making the normal toileting area undesirable
Clean soiled areas thoroughly (use biological (enzymatic) cleaners)
And if the issue is related to anxiety, talk to your vet about the use of pheromone therapy* (something like Feliway®) making sure its only used near the litter tray—never in inappropriately soiled areas, as this could encourage return to those locations.
*Pheromone therapy refers to the use of synthetic versions of natural feline facial pheromones, designed to create a sense of safety and familiarity for cats, helping to reduce stress and anxiety-related behaviours like inappropriate toileting.
2. Marking behaviours: urine spraying and middening**
Marking behaviours serve a different purpose than elimination – they're chemical (pheromone) communication methods.
When cats spray urine in their core area, they're leaving scent messages to mark the areas where they perceive potential threats.
**Middening (or territorial defecation) is when a cat purposely defecates outside of their litter box - conveying messages in response to perceived threats or stress. Unlike inappropriate elimination, it is not about toileting needs but about sending a signal.
Treatment approach:
Identify the likely source of threat or anxiety
Clean marked areas thoroughly with biological cleaners
Apply pheromone therapy (something like Feliway®) in the previously soiled areas (unlike with inappropriate elimination) to increase the cat's sense of security
Consult an accredited animal behaviourist about use behaviour modification including environmental enrichment to reduce anxiety
Anxiety Triggered by Other Cats
In multi-cat households, inter-cat conflict is a prevalent source of stress. Cats are inherently territorial and may perceive other cats as intruders, leading to aggression or avoidance behaviours. Such conflicts can result in chronic stress, manifesting as overgrooming, inappropriate elimination, or withdrawal.
The presence of unfamiliar cats, in the home (or core) territory, including those visible through windows, can also trigger anxiety and subsequent behavioural issues.
Management Strategies in multi-cat households:
Gradual introductions: When introducing a new cat, ensure a slow and controlled process, allowing each cat to acclimate to the other's scent and presence.
Resource allocation: Provide multiple resources (e.g., litter boxes, feeding stations, resting areas) to reduce competition and territorial disputes.
Environmental enrichment: Incorporate vertical spaces and hiding spots to allow cats to establish their own territories and retreat when needed.
Environmental triggers of anxiety
Cats are highly sensitive to changes in their environment. Alterations such as moving furniture, introducing new household members, or changes in routine can induce stress. Loud noises, unfamiliar scents, and lack of stimulation are additional factors that can contribute to anxiety.
Management Strategies:
Maintain consistency: Keep routines as consistent as possible, including feeding times and play sessions.
Introduce changes gradually: When changes are necessary, implement them slowly to allow the cat time to adjust.
Provide safe spaces: Ensure your cat has access to quiet, secure areas where they can retreat and feel safe.
Use of pheromone therapy: Synthetic pheromones can help create a calming environment, reducing stress-related behaviours.
Seek professional help
If your cat is displaying signs of anxiety despite your best efforts, it may be time to consult a professional. Begin with a veterinary check-up to rule out medical causes, then consider working with a CANZ accredited qualified animal behaviourist.
For information about finding a CANZ Accredited Behaviourist who can provide specialised assistance for your cat's anxiety, please visit the Companion Animals New Zealand website (www.companionanimals.nz)
Note: This article is for general guidance only. Each cat is unique, and persistent behavioural issues should be addressed with professional support.