How to Stop Stress Induced over Grooming in Cats
Be aware that cats can get stressed out very easily., Understand that cats respond to what is happening around them., Consider any changes that have been made to your cat’s routine., Keep less than five cats in your house., Provide your cat(s) with...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Be aware that cats can get stressed out very easily.
Cats are creatures of habit and anything that interferes with their daily routine, or makes them feel vulnerable, is classed as stress.
These stressors can be simple things like if you spend the day away from your house, the arrival of a new baby, or a neighborhood cat lurking around your cat’s territory. -
Step 2: Understand that cats respond to what is happening around them.
Cats are also very sensitive to atmosphere so if there is disquiet, shouting, or arguments happening around your cat, she may become very stressed out and begin to overgroom. , Minimize your cat’s stress whenever possible.
If you are not sure what is causing your cat stress, consider anything that has changed recently.
Have you gotten a new kitten? Did you and your partner just have a baby? , To a certain extent this step depends on the size of the house.
For example, a one-bedroomed flat should not have more than two cats in it, but a mansion could certainly house five cats.
Statistically a house with five or more cats in it will have at least one cat that exhibits signs of stress, such as inappropriate urination or excessive grooming.When you have multiple cats living in the same house, stress can be created over a pressure for resources like food and water, even if there is plenty of those resources to go around.
Cats naturally get territorial, and their individual feline personalities can clash if they have to deal with too many other cats. , To a cat, resources are those things which she needs for a comfortable life.
These resources include access to food, water, toilet facilities, and a safe place to sleep.
As a general rule, provide one of each for every cat in your house, plus one extra.
Giving each cat their own resources will help to relieve tension created when cats have to share a space with one another. , Think about where you put your cat’s resources.
For instance, in a multi-cat household, place the food bowls in different rooms.
This way the top-cat will not bogart all of the food bowls, which makes it easier for all of the other cats to eat without pressure or stress. , If you place your cat’s litter tray next to something like a washing machine or dryer, your cat may become stressed out whenever she needs to use the litter box while the machine is on.
Your cat will then begin to associate going to the bathroom with fear, which puts her into a state of conflict each time she needs to urinate or defecate.
To combat this fear, place litter trays in quiet corners where your cat is not likely to be disturbed. , As mentioned above, cats can feel stressed if they feel like another cat is invading their territory.
When another cat, particularly an unfamiliar one, wanders into your cat’s space, your cat may begin to feel insecure and stressed.
To prevent territory invasion use a programmable cat flap that is triggered by your cat's microchip to stop strays from gaining access to your cat's territory. , Another invasion of territory is the arrival of a new cat or kitten into your home.
To avoid this stress, introduce the new cat gradually using scent as a first introduction.
Keep the kitten in a separate room where he cannot accidentally bump into the established cat, and give him his own food, water, toys, and tray.
Stroke the kitten, then transfer his smell to the established cat by stroking her.
By doing this, your cat will gradually get used to the idea of a new cat being around.
The first time the cat meets the kitten, have the kitten in a cat box so that the cat can choose to investigate without getting chased or pounced on by the kitten.
Again, this is all about getting the cat used to the idea and learning that the kitten is no threat to her resources. , Even a solo cat who has plenty of resources may begin to feel stressed if she feels like she has nowhere to hide.
Cats that are constantly "on display"
meaning they have nowhere to escape to for solitude, are generally stressed.
Provide your cat with cardboard boxes, a gap behind the sofa, or a climbing tree with hidey holes to make your cat feel like she has somewhere to slink off to. -
Step 3: Consider any changes that have been made to your cat’s routine.
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Step 4: Keep less than five cats in your house.
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Step 5: Provide your cat(s) with plenty of resources.
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Step 6: Choose appropriate locations for your cat’s food and water.
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Step 7: Keep your cat’s litter box away from things that could cause her stress.
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Step 8: Give your cat her own space.
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Step 9: Use scent as a way to prepare your cat for the arrival of a new cat.
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Step 10: Give your cat places to hide.
Detailed Guide
Cats are creatures of habit and anything that interferes with their daily routine, or makes them feel vulnerable, is classed as stress.
These stressors can be simple things like if you spend the day away from your house, the arrival of a new baby, or a neighborhood cat lurking around your cat’s territory.
Cats are also very sensitive to atmosphere so if there is disquiet, shouting, or arguments happening around your cat, she may become very stressed out and begin to overgroom. , Minimize your cat’s stress whenever possible.
If you are not sure what is causing your cat stress, consider anything that has changed recently.
Have you gotten a new kitten? Did you and your partner just have a baby? , To a certain extent this step depends on the size of the house.
For example, a one-bedroomed flat should not have more than two cats in it, but a mansion could certainly house five cats.
Statistically a house with five or more cats in it will have at least one cat that exhibits signs of stress, such as inappropriate urination or excessive grooming.When you have multiple cats living in the same house, stress can be created over a pressure for resources like food and water, even if there is plenty of those resources to go around.
Cats naturally get territorial, and their individual feline personalities can clash if they have to deal with too many other cats. , To a cat, resources are those things which she needs for a comfortable life.
These resources include access to food, water, toilet facilities, and a safe place to sleep.
As a general rule, provide one of each for every cat in your house, plus one extra.
Giving each cat their own resources will help to relieve tension created when cats have to share a space with one another. , Think about where you put your cat’s resources.
For instance, in a multi-cat household, place the food bowls in different rooms.
This way the top-cat will not bogart all of the food bowls, which makes it easier for all of the other cats to eat without pressure or stress. , If you place your cat’s litter tray next to something like a washing machine or dryer, your cat may become stressed out whenever she needs to use the litter box while the machine is on.
Your cat will then begin to associate going to the bathroom with fear, which puts her into a state of conflict each time she needs to urinate or defecate.
To combat this fear, place litter trays in quiet corners where your cat is not likely to be disturbed. , As mentioned above, cats can feel stressed if they feel like another cat is invading their territory.
When another cat, particularly an unfamiliar one, wanders into your cat’s space, your cat may begin to feel insecure and stressed.
To prevent territory invasion use a programmable cat flap that is triggered by your cat's microchip to stop strays from gaining access to your cat's territory. , Another invasion of territory is the arrival of a new cat or kitten into your home.
To avoid this stress, introduce the new cat gradually using scent as a first introduction.
Keep the kitten in a separate room where he cannot accidentally bump into the established cat, and give him his own food, water, toys, and tray.
Stroke the kitten, then transfer his smell to the established cat by stroking her.
By doing this, your cat will gradually get used to the idea of a new cat being around.
The first time the cat meets the kitten, have the kitten in a cat box so that the cat can choose to investigate without getting chased or pounced on by the kitten.
Again, this is all about getting the cat used to the idea and learning that the kitten is no threat to her resources. , Even a solo cat who has plenty of resources may begin to feel stressed if she feels like she has nowhere to hide.
Cats that are constantly "on display"
meaning they have nowhere to escape to for solitude, are generally stressed.
Provide your cat with cardboard boxes, a gap behind the sofa, or a climbing tree with hidey holes to make your cat feel like she has somewhere to slink off to.
About the Author
Jennifer Parker
Committed to making hobbies accessible and understandable for everyone.
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