By nature, cats are secretive creatures. In the wild, showing vulnerability makes them a target, so even our most pampered house cats have held onto that instinct, which means it can be genuinely tricky to tell when they’re feeling anxious or unsettled.
Just like us, cats can be sensitive to their environment, routine and the way people interact with them. Loud and unexpected noises, such as fireworks, can also be a source of stress for some cats, particularly around Bonfire Night. The good news is that once you know what to look for, the signs are there. Here’s our expert guide to recognising cat stress, understanding what triggers it, and the practical steps, including when a calming supplement can help, that can help your cat feel more settled.
Types of stress in cats
All cats are different. Some are naturally more laid-back, while others are prone to anxiety, and this can come down to a mix of environmental and genetic factors. Broadly, stress in cats falls into two categories: acute and chronic.
Acute stress
Acute stress in cats is relatively easy to recognise. It’s often caused by a situation the animal perceives to be threatening, such as a trip to the vets or a sudden loud noise, such as fireworks.
Symptoms of acute stress include:
- Crouching and not moving
- Holding the tail close to the body
- Wide eyes with dilated pupils
- Ears flattened to the head
- Yowling or growling
- Drooling
- Involuntary urination or defecation
- Aggression
Chronic stress
Chronic stress is harder to spot because it develops gradually, often as a result of an ongoing issue with a cat’s environment, another cat in the household, or even their relationship with their owner. Left unaddressed, it can lead to behavioural or medical problems over time.
Symptoms of chronic stress include:
- Hiding under or behind furniture
- Soiling or wetting in the house
- Spending more time hiding or resting than interacting
- Refusing to eat, groom, or use the litter tray
- Defensive aggression
- Excessive grooming, particularly of the tummy area
- Jumping at small noises
Causes of stress in cats
There are lots of reasons why your cat might become stressed, and every cat is different. What causes anxiety in one cat may have little effect on another.
Some common causes of stress in cats include:
- Changes to their environment, such as moving house or rearranging furniture
- Changes to their usual routine
- Introducing a new pet or person into the household
- Conflict with other cats
- Visits to the vet
- Loud or unexpected noises, including fireworks
- Changes to their food, litter tray or feeding routine
- Not having access to places where they can hide or rest undisturbed
Fireworks can be a particularly difficult trigger for some cats because the loud bangs and flashes are sudden and unpredictable. If your cat is worried by fireworks, preparing their environment before Bonfire Night can help give them a safe and familiar place to retreat to.
How to care for a stressed cat
If you think your cat is stressed, there are several things you can do to help them feel safer and more comfortable. The most important thing is to identify what’s causing their stress and, where possible, remove or reduce the trigger.
Give your cat a safe space
Cats need somewhere they can retreat to when they feel anxious or overwhelmed. This could be a quiet room, a covered bed, a cardboard box or another place where your cat already feels comfortable.
Make sure their safe space is somewhere they can access easily and where they won’t be disturbed. If your cat chooses to hide, don’t force them out. Giving them the option to retreat can help them feel more secure.
This can be particularly helpful around fireworks, when your cat may want to find somewhere quiet and away from the noise.
Keep their routine consistent
Cats are creatures of habit, so keeping their usual routine as consistent as possible can help them feel more secure.
Try to keep feeding times, playtime and other familiar parts of their day as normal as possible, particularly when there are changes happening around them.
Make sure they have access to their essential resources
Your cat should always have easy access to fresh water, food and a clean litter tray.
If your cat is hiding because they’re stressed, make sure they don’t have to travel too far from their safe space to access what they need.
Give them space
When cats are stressed, they may want more time alone. Avoid forcing interaction or picking your cat up if they don’t want to be handled.
Instead, let your cat approach you when they feel ready. You can still stay nearby and offer quiet reassurance if they seem to want your company.
Keep the environment calm
Try to reduce anything that could make your cat feel more anxious. Around fireworks, this could mean closing windows and curtains to reduce noise and flashes, and using familiar background noise such as the television or radio.
If you know your cat finds fireworks stressful, it’s worth making these preparations before the fireworks begin rather than waiting until your cat is already frightened.
Never punish your cat for stressed behaviour
Your cat isn’t being difficult or naughty when they’re frightened. Punishing them can make the situation more stressful and may damage their sense of security. Instead, focus on making their environment feel safe and giving them time and space to settle. The RSPCA’s advice on pets and fireworks also recommends avoiding punishment when pets are frightened.
Can supplements help with cat stress?
If your cat is experiencing stress, making changes to their environment and routine should be the first step. However, depending on the situation, you may also want to consider whether a calming supplement could provide additional support.
Calming supplements are designed to provide nutritional support during periods when cats may feel stressed or unsettled. They can be particularly relevant for situations that you know your cat finds challenging, such as changes to their environment, visits to the vet or loud noises such as fireworks.
Bob Martin Cat Supplement Calming & Anxiety combines alpha-casozepine with L-tryptophan, an amino acid involved in serotonin production, and B-complex vitamins to support normal nervous system function. It comes as a lickable sachet, which tends to work well for cats who find tablets stressful in themselves, and it can be fed daily for ongoing anxiety or an upcoming event.
FAQs
How can I tell if my cat is stressed or sick?
Some signs of stress in cats, such as hiding, changes in appetite, toileting changes or withdrawing from normal activities, can also be signs of an underlying health problem. If your cat’s behaviour changes suddenly, they seem unwell, or you’re concerned about their eating, drinking or toileting, speak to your vet. It’s important not to assume that a change in behaviour is simply down to stress.
Why is my cat suddenly hiding?
Hiding can be a normal response when a cat feels frightened, anxious or unsettled. Loud noises, changes at home and unfamiliar people or animals can all cause a cat to seek somewhere quiet and secure. If your cat suddenly starts hiding more than usual, look for any recent changes that could be causing stress and give them a safe, quiet place to retreat to. If the behaviour continues or is accompanied by other changes, speak to your vet.
Why is my cat suddenly peeing outside the litter tray?
A sudden change in your cat’s toileting habits can be caused by a medical problem or stress, so it’s important not to assume it’s behavioural. Speak to your vet to rule out an underlying health issue.
If your cat is given the all-clear, consider whether anything has changed at home, such as their routine, environment or litter tray. For more advice, see our guide to why your cat may have stopped using the litter tray.
What can I do to help my cat feel less anxious at home?
Start by making your cat’s environment feel safe and predictable. Give them somewhere quiet to retreat to, make sure they have easy access to food, water and a clean litter tray, and try to keep their usual routine consistent. Let your cat choose when they want to interact with you and avoid forcing them out of hiding. Identifying and reducing the cause of their stress is also important.
Can fireworks make cats stressed?
Yes. Loud, sudden and unpredictable noises such as fireworks can be frightening for some cats. If your cat is sensitive to fireworks, prepare their environment before the fireworks begin by keeping them indoors, making sure they have somewhere safe to hide and reducing noise and flashes where possible. Keeping their usual routine as consistent as possible can also help them feel more secure.
