 Anxiety and stress can harm your cat's mental and physical health. Anxiety is a feeling of restlessness and fear due to the anticipation of danger, and stress is a quick response to threats the cat may anticipate. A cat that is anxious or stressed can be very damaging to its well-being. In this video, you will learn about some signs of anxiety and stress in a cat and some of the causes or triggers. You will also learn how to effectively reduce your cat's anxiety and stress to help them live a happier and healthier life. Changes and consequences of anxiety and stress in a cat. Usually, anxiety develops through the association of past traumatic experiences from earlier or by changes in a cat's well-established routines. Because cats are creatures of habit, sometimes the smallest changes in their environment or routines can lead to anxiety and stress. New noises, a new pet, a change of home, a change in the litter or food, a trip to the vet or all well-recognized causes of anxiety and stress in the cat. An anxious and stressed cat will develop aberrant behaviors, have difficulty socializing and be prone to disease, remaining in a constant on well state. As cat owners, our cat's happiness and well-being should always be the goal. If you have noticed your cat is anxious and stressed, it is better to start dealing with this issue before it escalates and becomes harder to revert or causes any physical problems to your cat. Anxiety tends to be progressive, so it is strongly recommended to deal with the issue sooner rather than later. Management of anxiety and stress in a cat. The management of a cat's anxiety and stress is usually done by a combination of behavioral modification techniques, changes in the cat's environment, and, in some cases, the use of natural remedies and medications. The first step is to identify what is causing the anxiety in the cat and plan to implement the necessary changes. This is different in each case, and there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. However, there are some tips to help reduce your cat's anxiety and stress that might be very helpful and worth trying. Rule out any medical condition. Pain and discomfort will cause a cat to suffer from stress and anxiety. So, the first step will be to make sure your cat is not in pain or sick. A complete physical evaluation to check the body and maybe some blood work and diagnostic imaging will be needed to rule out that an underlying medical issue is causing your cat's anxiety. A visit to the veterinary clinic is a must if your cat presents sudden changes in behavior. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high-quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife to get 20% off. Make sure all your cat's needs are met. This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised at how cat owners can be unaware of cat's needs not being met. Basic cat needs include the following. A nutritious, sufficient, and cat-appropriate diet that is adequate to your cat's life stage and activity levels. Unlimited access to clean and fresh water. One or two litter boxes that are big enough, in a safe and calm place, and always clean. Your cat should like the litter, and it should not have any unpleasant scents or textures. A comfortable and safe space to sleep. Cats like places that provide shelter and comfort while having a good view of the environment. Check out the hepper's pod bed that ticks all these boxes. A scratching place to help keep the claws in a perfect state. Physical and mental stimulation, easily provided by a variety of toys. Regularly rotating the cat's toys help to keep them interesting and engaging. Love and affection. While cats might seem cold and distant, it needs your love and affection just like any other living being. But be aware of your cat's limits and don't overwhelm it. If your cat comes by looking for attention and a snuggle, make your best effort to provide it. Most cats are solitary creatures that need to have their personal space. Kids all over them or having to share space with other pets can be very stressful to cats. Ensure the cat always has access to some personal time and space when it needs it. Study the environment. Try to identify if any recognizable changes in the cat's environment could be causing its anxiety. New pets, kids, changes of food, noises, any change of routine or environment should be planned and gradually introduced with cats. Cats are very sensitive to changes but are even more sensitive if it suffers from anxiety. By recognizing the specific scenario causing anxiety, you can manage it before a crisis starts. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. Also don't forget to subscribe with notifications on so that you don't miss out on videos like this. Thank you for watching.