This is the time of year when people are hustling and bustling, and celebrating the holidays with friends and family. There’s all the shopping for presents, going to parties and unexpected guests dropping by that keeps us busy. Sometimes, too busy to take notice of how these changes are affecting our cats.
Which brings me around to feline stress. Did you know cats can feel your stress? Of course, if you think about it, they sense when you’re upset, sick or in a happy mood, so why wouldn’t they feel your stress? So w
hen your life is all topsy-turvy, chances are theirs re, too.
When guests come around, let them know the cat needs to set the rules. If he wants attention, he will come to them. When he has had enough, let him go his own way. This should be how you handle any visitation at anytime of the year, but over the holidays, the cat will be even more sensitive to over-attentive guests.
Just the other day, a friend came over to visit. She began to pet my cat. Mimi, who is the sweetest cat in the world, was loving it but suddenly she turned and hissed at my friend. This is not the norm for her, but she may have been stressed from having someone that she doesn’t see everyday make over her. My friend wasn’t holding her against her will. Mimi was free to walk away at any point, but she didn’t know what to do with the attention, so she did what cats do when they are on the defensive, she hissed.
Provide a safe place away from the noise. This gives the cat a place to retreat to. Trust me, he’ll be better off in his own place away from the attention that he doesn’t want. He’ll come out when he feels comfortable with all the goings-on.
Holidays are all about love, so spread it over your cat. I almost never give my cats treats, but around this time of the year, I put a few in with their food. They don’t know that they are the boring, healthy ones; they just know they have been given something different. I also give them lots of new cat toys. This takes care of two issues: it makes them feel special (which we all know they are), and it draws their attention to the right toys instead of playing with that ornament the Aunt Mable gave you last Christmas. Take the time to cuddle with them. It will not only be good for the cat, but it will soothe your holiday stress as well.
As much as possible, keep the normal routine. When it’s time to eat, feed them, regardless of your friends in the other room. Take a few minutes each day to play with them.
Like us, they have ways of showing they are stressed. The two most obvious ways are eating or urinating irregularly. Feline stress can lead to illnesses, so beware of strange behaviors and contact your vet as soon as you notice them.
Make this holiday safe and stress free for both you and your cat.
Our thanks to:
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