Pets are well-known for helping us relax and relieve stress. Studies have confirmed that petting a cat for just a few minutes can lower blood pressure, improve mood, and effectively alleviate stress.
But what happens when a cat is stressed? Cats are naturally sensitive creatures. Sometimes even minor environmental changes, such as moving a piece of furniture, can cause them stress. Similar to humans, a cat’s physiological response to stress can result in illness. Stress often builds up beneath the surface, gradually harming their health. One common sign of stress in cats is abnormal urination habits or inappropriate spraying.
What might frighten a cat?
If these stressors are not addressed, they can lead to severe health issues. Cats are highly attuned to our emotions and can become stressed due to our own anxiety, which may result in illness. Humans and cats often reflect each other’s physical and emotional states, manifesting in various ways.
For humans, mild stress might lead to social withdrawal, while severe stress has even been linked to conditions like cancer. In cats, stress typically manifests through urinary system issues. As responsible owners, when we ask why our cat is spraying or urinating outside the litter box, we should also reflect on ourselves. Reducing our own stress can help ease our pets’ stress.
So, what can we do to help our cats avoid stress?
First, we should strive to keep the environment as calm and stable as possible. Second, managing our own stress is essential, as cats often sense it before we do.
