An extremely common problem for people, who accumulate thousands of tasks, anxiety can also affect cats. For anxiety, it's not about that generic thing, wanting something a lot, and not being able to wait. Here we talk about anxiety as a disease.

The first distinction to be made, in the case of Anxiety in humans, is to note that there is Generalized Anxiety Disorder – GAD – (a disease) and anxiety (a noun). In the case of people suffering from GAD, seeking a doctor is essential. As a disease, it can be cured when associated with psychological treatment.

In the case of animals, anxiety can be understood more as a symptom of some other problem. This is due to the fact that TAG involves concerns of an abstract nature, such as the future, interpersonal relationships, questions about oneself. We don't know if cats feel all this when we talk about "Feline anxiety".

In the case of animals, such as cats, we realize that the main symptom of aggression is aggression. Anxious cats become more aloof, and respond to setbacks with scratching and biting.

They can also cause damage to the house. That is, they destroy sofas and cushions, throw things on the floor, urinate and defecate in corners. Another symptom is hiding; the cat goes into the closet, gets under the bed, runs away when people appear.

It is not as common as it is in dogs, and evolution explains this due to the behavior and organization of wild felines and canines.

Tigers, jaguars, cheetahs and leopards are wild cats – and they live alone, they hunt alone, they find other animals of their kind to breed with. Lions, perhaps, are the exception to the rule.

Wolves, foxes, coyotes, jackals and other wild canines, on the other hand, often live in packs. If they don't always live, they live sometimes, that is, they manage to organize themselves in a group with a common objective, to hunt.

In this way, domestic dogs have the instinct to organize themselves in groups. They are animals that need company. For this reason, if the tutor stays away from home for a long time, they may develop symptoms of anxiety, especially if they are puppies, and they still do not have the certain autonomy of adult dogs.

But what about cats? Do you know why the cat gets anxious?

Because they bring solitary behaviors in their instincts, cats need to feel safe, both in the place where they live and in their food. They also value a certain routine. Again, it's a form of security.

The cat wakes up and knows it has food. He knows every corner of the house, and he knows how to protect himself there. He knows who the residents of the house are, and that they are part of his life.

If any of these things don't go well, the cat starts to feel insecure. And insecurity leads to stress, which has anxiety as a symptom. The cat gets the “feeling” that he needs to act at any time, that at any moment he will need to run away, or fight.

The most common, perhaps, is the tutor's prolonged absence. The guardian leaves the house without leaving the house in adequate conditions for the cat (food, water, toys). The cat feels disoriented.

The second reason is changes. Moving from one house to another, in the first few days, can be scary for the cat. It's new territory, he doesn't know where he can go, what's around him, what can happen there.

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A third reason is the start of a new routine. For example: All day the cat wakes up in the morning, has food, plays, ten o'clock at night he sleeps. It's a routine. The following week, he wakes up in the morning, but there is still no food, sleep takes him somewhere, they come back and some event in the house prevents the cat from sleeping at the time…

This break in a routine pattern causes anxiety, because the cat doesn't know how its day will go. He doesn't know what will happen. He becomes “alert”, he cannot rest.

Finally, the fourth reason, the introduction of another animal in the house. Another animal could include the human animal, of course. The tutor suddenly starts living with someone else. Or he adopts another cat. Or even move in with someone who already lives with an animal.

Your cat is being introduced to a new creature. He doesn't know if that being will want to attack him, will want to steal his food, will want to dominate his territory. Until the cat gets used to the new residents, many anxiety crises can happen.

In rarer cases, your cat may be suffering from an illness or in some pain. This will cause him enormous stress. Just imagine what it would be like if it were you.

Problems like parasitic infections, ear infections or malnutrition can also be the case. But they will always include other symptoms.

If that's the case, you already know: run to the vet. But these cases are rare, and are usually accompanied by other symptoms. In any case, pay attention to the signs.

Before asking yourself what to do if your cat is suffering from anxiety, ask yourself what is causing your cat's anxiety. Going to a vet is also very important. Some symptoms of anxiety, such as arrhythmia (heart too fast or too slow) and lack of hunger could be anxiety or some other illness.

Thinking about the reasons that can cause anxiety, analyze how your cat's life is going. Above, we have listed some things that can be cause for anxiety.

Faced with this possibility, the first action to be taken is to show that your cat is safe. Convey this security to him, making yourself present, showing that you are there, to listen and live with him. Make sure there is enough food for your cat and, in the event of an extended absence, offer a treat when you return.

It is also important that your cat has toys and furniture where he can spend his energy. Scratching posts, shelves, two-story scratching posts, stuffed animals and balls will help the cat to get distracted and exercise.

(Remember to only buy balls and pets in pet stores. The fabric of a human toy can cause allergies in the cat)

Taking care of food is also important. The absence of some vitamins can cause mood swings. Weight gain can encourage a sedentary lifestyle, and this problem can also cause anxiety.

In the case of new residents in the house, you must encourage the cat and them to live together. In the case of other humans, not so much, but with other pets, you must know how to divide your time. Pay attention to the old cat and the new pet equally. Stimulating jokes between them also helps. Make the cat realize that this is not an intruder - this is a friend.

(And, of course, don't let the new pet invade the old cat's space.)

You just need to be ready to dedicate yourself with love and affection, and not be absent from your cat's life. He needs you to calm down and feel safe. This is the first, and main, treatment.

Has your cat ever suffered from anxiety? how did you get around the problem? Did you find it difficult? Easy? Tell us how this experience was! And about the techniques, what do you think? Did we miss something to say? Write in the comments.

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