How does a kitty start their purrfect day? Usually, everything is OK in a kitty’s world as long as they have a routine and their day is predictable. From waking up, to having a good scratch and stretch on their scratching post - before jumping on your bed to make sure you are awake too - they know their day is off to a good start!
But, has your cat started behaving differently and you’re not sure why?
If you think your cat is in pain, or you think they may have an underlying condition, you should always have them checked out by a vet as soon as possible.
Their body language will give you an idea of how they are feeling - for example, are they arching their back? How are they holding their tail - in a happy upright position, or concerned flicking?
Cats’ eating habits can change for many reasons, including stress. Eating less food, or eating more food, can both be signs that your cat needs medical attention; it’s always advisable to have them checked by a vet to rule out conditions such as a kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder, infections or dental diseases.
Sometimes, if cats are stressed, they just want to be left alone, but if they are in pain they could be avoiding any handling that might make the pain worse.
If your cat is no longer interested in your playtime together, something could be making them feel uncomfortable. They may be feeling out of sorts, so the last thing they want to do is chase after a toy.
As cats get older, their senses can deteriorate, which in turn could make them feel nervous about their surroundings as they can’t detect changes so easily, which may make resting in their favourite spots more appealing to them. Don’t just assume your older cat is resting more simply because they are older - it’s a good idea to get any major changes in behaviour checked by a vet to rule out any medical issues.
As they become less agile, older cats are less effective with their grooming and this may result in matted fur, or inflammation of their skin - but if your cat is grooming less than usual, it could be a sign that they are feeling sore or uncomfortable.
However, overgrooming can be a sign of stress and anxiety, and can also be caused by pain or as a result of fleas or an allergy.
Cats will often instinctively hide away if they are in pain or are feeling under the weather. Their ancestors in the wild needed to keep themselves hidden away from their predators if they were injured, so it’s in their genes; you may find your cat still does the same so you might find them under your bed where they feel secure, particularly if they are feeling stressed.
If you notice your cat is not scooting around the house in the evening, or they are not jumping onto high shelves - as they would normally do - they may have an injury that is not obvious. They may instead be walking around gingerly and choosing only to climb on to lower objects. Alternatively, your kitty may be feeling anxious and stressed, causing them to hide away somewhere they feel safe.
Cats are generally very clean animals, so if you’ve noticed that your cat is not using their litter tray and is instead taking to other areas of the house, such as the carpet, this could be an indication that your kitty isn’t feeling well.
It’s also important to keep an eye on how often your cat is using the litter tray. The average cat urinates 3-4 times a day, so if you notice your cat using the litter tray significantly more or less than they usually do, it’s important to get them checked for health problems like urinary tract infections.
Once your vet has ruled out all medical related causes for your cat’s stress related behaviour, consider if there are any situations around the home that may be contributory factors.
Using FELIWAY CLASSIC also helps cats by providing enhanced serenity; its holistic message provides reassurance as well as harmony between cats living together. It helps cats with more signs of stress, in more situations, and calms cats better than ever.