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Cats, with their elegant demeanour and independent spirits, can sometimes be delicate creatures when it comes to stress. Understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to feline stress is crucial for ensuring their well-being and happiness.
We’ll explore 17 effective ways to reduce your cat’s stress levels. From creating a serene environment to engaging in interactive play, these strategies aim to provide comfort and tranquillity for your beloved feline friend.
Join us on this journey to foster a stress-free and content life for your companion.
How to keep your furry friend relaxed, happy, and purring!
1: A Safe Haven
Designating a quiet space for your cat is the first step to giving them a more relaxed environment. Whether it’s a high perch they can reach – like a blanket atop a bookcase or a hammock by the window – an entire cat-dedicated room, or even a spot under your bed where they can hide away, a space to call their own is highly important to cats. Knowing they can go to this place to retreat, not be bothered, and feel safe from ‘predators’ will drastically improve your cat’s well-being.
2: Quality Enrichment
Both mental and physical stimulation are vital for most mammals. Cats love to chase, jump, and scratch. Without enrichment activities that encourage this sort of play, they can grow bored and depressed just like we would if we had nothing fun to do.
Playing with your cat is great for bonding, and can be a boost for your mental well-being too. And for when you aren’t available to play, have interactive toys or other objects around for your cat to engage with. For example:
- Scratching posts
- Cardboard boxes
- Cat exercise wheels
- Feathers and soft balls hanging on strings/poles
- Motion sensor toys
- Cat puzzles
3: Consistent Feeding Routine
When cats know when to expect food, they always know a feed is coming, reducing their stress because they know this basic need will always be met. Often, cats will tell you when they want food, but it’s important to give them a routine – just like children. Each cat is different, as is every owner, and it may take you some time to figure out the best routine that works for you both. If you work a 9-5 for example, you might feed them before you leave and when you get home, so they have a regular breakfast and dinner, with dry food left out in between.
4: Litter Box Cleanliness
Going to the toilet is, instinctually, a vulnerable time for many creatures. If your toilet was constantly stinky, moved around often, and was used by others who didn’t flush, you probably wouldn’t be very happy!
Cats are the same, but with their reliance on scents, this is extended further. Put simply, they don’t want their box smelling like other cats. They need their litter to feel like a safe space – kept in the same safe spot, their own to use (owners should have at least one litter box per cat), and cleaned at least daily.
5: Cuddles, Scratches and Grooming
We know that most cats love being scratched and cuddled. It isn’t only a wonderful sensory experience for them, but it helps you bond, making them feel safer and reducing stress.
You might also engage in grooming, especially if your cat is long-haired, to keep them comfortable and happy.
Here are some favourite cat scratch spots, but be careful to listen to your cat to find out their personal preferences and no-go zones:
- Behind the ears
- Under the chin
- Around their cheeks
- Back of the neck
- Base of the tail
6: Practise Separation
If you’re reading this blog, it’s probably because you love your cat and you’re very attached to them. However, one of the possible drawbacks to having a strong bond is separation anxiety.
This is especially prevalent in pets who were adopted during COVID-19 lockdowns and the rise of work-from-home lifestyles. Unfortunately, since many people have had to return to workplaces, pets who aren’t used to being without their person are at risk of becoming distressed when left home alone.
Practising separation in small ways to get them used to it can help a great deal. This might be placing them in a separate room with their favourite blanket, litter box and some food, allowing them a safe space to get used to not having you around. You can extend the periods you’re apart until they’re more confident and no longer present signs of anxiety.
7: Caution with Scents
While we might love using candles and diffusers to fill our homes with sweet and calming scents, cats have a different sensory experience when it comes to smelling.
In small amounts, cats might be okay with candles and diffusers, but typically they aren’t enjoyable. Worse still, some essential oils are toxic to cats, and diffusing them means particles may land on their fur and be ingested as they clean themselves. This can make them very sick. If you have an anxious cat, cutting out candles and diffusers could help you find the root issue of their stress.
Cat-friendly scents are out there, though. In small doses, some options like lavender, camomile, and frankincense can be calming. However, a more popular and effective scent-like option for relaxing your cat is a pheromone diffuser or spray. While these products don’t have a scent, they include a synthetic version of the chemicals a mother cat would emit to calm her kittens, so it is immediately recognised and loved by cats. They associate the pheromone with being calm and safe, so it’s a great way to reduce cat stress.
8: Gentle Handling
Some cats love being picked up and cuddled, while others will immediately hiss, scratch and bite. Being aware of your cat’s handling preferences is a quick way to reduce their stress.
This may take some practise, but a good place to start is to only pick up the cat if it’s showing positive signs of wanting to be touched – most obviously, not running away when you reach for them.
When you do pick them up, make sure you support their body, with one hand under their back legs. Hold them securely so there’s no anxiety about falling, but don’t hold them so tight it makes them feel smothered. Over time, you’ll build trust and learn how they best prefer to be handled.
9: Puzzle Feeders
Undomesticated cats have to capture and kill prey to eat, but for a cat living a life of luxury in your home, they don’t get this experience. Those predator instincts still exist within your feline (part of why enriching play is so important), and introducing puzzle feeders brings back some of the challenges of feeding that they’re biologically wired to handle.
Puzzle feeders come in many shapes and sizes, and you can choose which one best suits your cat’s needs. For example, some puzzles encourage your cat to eat more slowly, while others are more for play. In any case, start with a simple puzzle before building to complex ones, and see how it reduces stress and increases your cat’s well-being.
10: Calming Catnip
Catnip is a herb known for making felines feel happy and relaxed. While its effects can be seen by some as a ‘high’, in the way humans might respond to alcohol or drugs, catnip isn’t a drug and doesn’t affect the feline brain in the same way. When under the influence of catnip, cats are fully aware of their surroundings, and it isn’t addictive. The only difference is a boost in joy, which can immensely help a stressed feline.
You can give your cat pieces of catnip to eat, or use a spray. Start with small doses to assess their response.
11: Noise Levels & Music Therapy
Loud noises can be a source of stress for cats, triggering their flight-or-fight response. Identify and minimise potential sources of loud noises in your cat’s environment. This could include keeping household appliances in good condition to avoid unusual sounds and providing a quiet space for your cat to retreat to when needed. Reducing sudden or jarring noises helps to create a serene space where your cat can feel safe and secure.
Conversely, introducing calming music or sounds can significantly contribute to creating a relaxing atmosphere for your feline companion. Consider playing soft instrumental music or nature sounds to provide a gentle auditory backdrop. Some cats respond well to music designed explicitly for their relaxation, which can be found on various streaming platforms.
12: Gentle Socialisation
Cats, known for their discerning nature, may find sudden introductions to new people or animals stressful. When socialising your cat, opt for gradual introductions. Allow your cat to approach new individuals or pets at their own pace. Provide a safe space where your cat can observe from a distance before deciding to engage. This patient approach helps build positive associations and reduces the likelihood of stress-induced behaviours.
On the other hand, it’s important to make sure your cat isn’t lonely. If they exhibit behaviours that signal they want to socialise more, consider introducing a second cat to the household.
13: Avoid Overstimulation
Understanding your cat’s body language and behavioural cues is crucial in preventing overstimulation. Excessive grooming, dilated pupils, hissing, or a swishing tail are all signs they’re overstimulated and need a change in their environment. Pay attention to your cat’s individual preferences and limits to create a harmonious living space.
Here are some things that cause sensory overload, which you can reduce to help your cat stay calm:
- Bright lights
- Excessive noise
- Too much petting
- Too many people/animals
- Play that gets too exciting
14: Vertical Spaces
Cats are natural climbers, and providing vertical spaces can significantly contribute to their mental well-being. Cat trees, shelves, or window perches, where your cat can climb, perch, and observe their surroundings serve as a source of physical exercise and offer a sense of security, allowing your cat to survey their territory from a higher vantage point. These don’t require a big investment – DIY vertical spaces can be as simple as putting a nice blanket on a section of your bookshelf your cat can jump up to.
15: Vet Visits
Many cats associate vet visits with stress and anxiety – and because of this, we owners do as well. But there are ways to make these experiences more positive for your feline friend.
Choose a vet with a calm and cat-friendly approach – ask fellow cat owners for recommendations, and check online reviews for different clinics. Some vets even offer home visits, reducing the stress associated with a car journey and a visit to an unfamiliar place. You can also make the vet visit less overwhelming by bringing favourite items like a blanket or toy, which will give your cat familiar scents to calm them in an unfamiliar space.
16: Comfortable Carriers
For many cats, the mere sight of a carrier can trigger stress. It means a change in location and a scary car ride – and worst of all, the threat of going to a vet. A comfortable carrier can transform travel or vet visits from stressful experiences to more relaxed outings for your cat.
- Shop around for a quality carrier that has a good amount of space and will be comfortable. Choose one with easy access and sufficient ventilation.
- Acclimatise your cat to their carrier by making it a familiar space – adding items with scents they’re used to, and comfort items like a favourite blanket.
- Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as leaving treats or toys inside, to encourage your cat to enter willingly.
- Have them practise spending time in the carrier before using it for transport.
17: Nutritional Considerations
Specific nutrients and ingredients can have a calming effect on cats – put simply, a healthy cat is a happier cat.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oils, have been associated with promoting brain health and emotional balance in cats. Tryptophan, an amino acid present in turkey, is known to contribute to the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation.
Make sure to research cat food brands and try different types to find what your cat likes best. It’s also important to give your cat a balanced diet to keep them healthy and stress-free. The experimentation with different options can be a bit of a complex science, but it’s well worth trying for your furry friend.
We hope you can enjoy a happier relationship with your newly relaxed cat by following our 17 tips. Since all cats are different, always try different strategies to find what works best for your furry friend. Maybe just a few of these tips will have them purring, or a larger cocktail of cat-calming strategies will be needed to ensure their life is stress-free. In any case, these tips will help you get on the right track.
Are you looking to adopt a pet or donate to a pet rescue organisation? Georgie and Cindy from Large Hope SEO foster cats and kittens on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. If you’re local, get in touch to discuss adopting from the rescues. See cats and kittens available for adoption or donate so we can save more kittens.
