Have you noticed your cat acting a bit strange since the pandemic began?
Some felines are far more social than others, and as a whole, they tend not to like disruptions in their daily routines.
So, with the pandemic forcing routines to change on a pretty regular basis and making working from home the new normal for many, it could have resulted in elevated stress levels in your beloved pet.
Anna Ewers Clark, veterinary and standards lead at national pet charity Blue Cross, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Many cats like to have their own space, so the fact their owners may have been at home more since the start of the pandemic might have been challenging.
‘It’s important to look out for signs of stress in your cat, particularly at times of change.’
Your cat can’t exactly verbalise what they’re feeling, so what exactly are those signs?
Anna explains that they ‘can be quite subtle’, but can also ramp up and become more obvious as time goes by.
‘Signs your cat might be feeling stressed include eating less, hiding, tense body language, over-grooming, toileting or spraying in the house, and avoiding certain people or places,’ she says.
‘In extreme cases, cats can develop medical issues such as stress cystitis, a painful bladder condition which can lead to life-threatening bladder blockages.’
If you spot these behaviours in your cat, Anna recommends taking them to the vet, so they can rule out any health issues, and refer you to a behaviourist if necessary.
There are also things you can do at home to help alleviate their stress.
‘Try to keep your cat’s routine predictable,’ Anna advises. ‘Whilst they are adaptable, they can be sensitive to changes in their routine and environment.
‘Ensure that they have plenty of places to rest on their own and relax in quiet areas – for example, cats love to climb and get up high where they can find a spot to watch the world go by.
‘Make sure your cat is really enriched with outlets for their mental and physical needs, such as through regular play sessions, providing opportunities to scratch appropriately – like a scratching post – and through exciting ways of feeding them, like puzzle feeders.’
And remember, just because your cat is stressed, doesn’t mean they don’t love you.
They’re just complex little creatures of habit who enjoy their own space – surely we can all relate to that.
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