Cats' Stress Response: Causes and Coping Strategies

Signs of Stress in Cats

Beyond the common sight of a cat sticking out its tongue and panting, some felines may exhibit more intense stress responses. This includes dilated pupils, standing on their hind legs with ears perked up, and even a fullbody hair raise. These are all signs of a cat being startled and experiencing stress. Just as humans might get goosebumps when scared, stress is a normal physiological response that usually subsides quickly. However, the severity of stress in cats can be much more harmful than in humans, even posing lifethreatening risks.

Why Do Cats Experience Stress?

This is the main issue we want to address today, especially for cat owners. Many people mistakenly believe that cats are overly timid. The world outside may seem beautiful and exciting to us, with nothing to fear, so why would they experience stress? This is a case of human arrogance. Cats are naturally sensitive and cautious, but their perception of the world is vastly different due to their unique physical makeup.

Despite their keen eyesight that allows them to detect rapid movements, cats are nearsighted and slightly colorblind. Objects beyond 6 meters are a blur, and they can't discern many colors. Artist Nickolay Lam, after consulting with several veterinary ophthalmologists, has illustrated the world as seen through a cat's eyes. The image above shows human vision, while the one below depicts a cat's perspective.

In a cat's world, everything appears hazy, with distant objects reduced to mere shadows. However, cats have hearing four times more sensitive than humans, making even the faintest sound seem like a thunderous roar. Their sense of smell is five to ten times stronger than ours, allowing them to detect scents as diluted as one part in eight million of musk. At home, they feel secure, surrounded by familiar objects and scents, and they hold dominion over their territory.

But the outside world is alien and twisted. It's filled with unpleasant smells, loud noises, and terrifying twolegged creatures that move about, making strange sounds and even reaching out to "attack." A trip to the vet can be even more terrifying: unfamiliar刺激性 odors, intense lighting, and being placed on a cold, impersonal table with nowhere to hide as the twolegged monsters "torment" them. Home is a cat's entire universe. Our outings are just for a breath of fresh air, but to them, it's like an adventure into outer space. Such experiences can induce stress, so if cats don't have the courage of astronauts, owners should avoid forcing them to go out!

The Dangers of Cat Stress

After discussing the causes of stress, let's talk about its dangers. Mild stress, such as dilated pupils and hair raising, are normal reactions when cats feel anxious and fearful. For instance, hair raising can make a cat appear larger and deter intruders. We might experience a surge in adrenaline, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing when riding a roller coaster. But for someone with a heart condition, that could be extremely dangerous. Forcing a cat to go out when it doesn't want to is akin to pushing a heart patient onto a roller coaster. Even if the cat survives, it might develop health issues.

Cats under stress have a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to bacteria and viruses, and more prone to various diseases. Diseases that have been linked to stress include:

Enteritis: Many cats experience stress before developing enteritis.

Upper respiratory diseases: Such as feline rhinotracheitis.

Fatty liver: Cats that are scared and stop eating or drinking can easily develop fatty liver.

Urological diseases: Such as cystitis, urinary retention, urinary stones, and hematuria.

Gastrointestinal diseases: Including vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools.

It can be said that most cat illnesses may be related to stress!

What to Do After a Cat Experiences Stress

If a cat is merely scared and shows signs like hair raising and hiding, the owner's role is to restore its sense of security. When a cat hides out of fear, do not force it to come out. For example, if a cat hides when guests arrive, do not pull it out and expose it to people. This will only make it more fearful and shy.

The correct approach is to gently comfort the cat, let it be alone, and offer some treats to soothe it. If you notice that a cat, after going outside, shows symptoms like listlessness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, hematuria, and these symptoms persist for several days without improvement, it may be suffering from severe stress.

Caution:

Do not rush to take the cat to the vet immediately, as another trip outside could worsen its stress. First, consult with a veterinarian to understand the best course of action and follow their guidance.

How to Prevent Cat Stress

What behaviors can cause cats to experience stress? Cat owners who enjoy playing tricks on their pets, please refrain from adding to your cats' fears! Avoid rubber band games, sticky tape games, cucumber games, and don't blindly imitate trends from social media.

If a cat does not want to go out, do not force it to do so. Cats are not going to suffocate at home; they find comfort there. If a vet visit is necessary, choose a nontransparent pet carrier over a clear, trendy one. Those cute cats sticking out their tongues in transparent bags may seem adorable, but they are actually uncomfortable and scared.

When guests arrive and the cat hides in fear, do not pull it out and let it be patted by everyone. Strangers are terrifying to cats; they only trust their owners. If the owner needs to go out, try to keep the cat at home rather than sending it to a boarding facility or transporting it in a stressful manner. Treat your cat like a socially anxious "fat otaku" and let it stay in a familiar environment where it feels safe.