Cat Dies After Bath: Possible Causes and Concerns

Cats are incredibly "doublestandard" creatures. In the presence of their human companions, they often act like the epitome of confidence, basking in their own importance. However, the moment the environment around them shifts even slightly, they can become incredibly timid.

This timidity manifests in various ways, such as during moves, baths, hair drying with a blow dryer, or the arrival of a new cat in the household, and the list goes on.

When this timidity reaches a certain level, it can lead to severe stress responses. Common symptoms include vomiting and constipation after a move, and in more tragic cases, a cat may even pass away the day after a bath.

Therefore, cat stress responses are not an issue to be taken lightly. As pet owners, it is crucial to take notice, understand, and work to reduce and alleviate these unhealthy stress reactions in our feline friends.

What is a stress response?

Cat stress responses refer to the general, nonspecific, and stimulatory reactions that occur in cats when they are affected by various internal and external environmental factors. In simpler terms, it's the cat's response to external changes that make them feel anxious and afraid, which in turn affects their body.

What are the symptoms of stress responses?

Common symptoms include a loss of appetite and drinking, soft stools, and vomiting. Some cats may exhibit behaviors like frequent urination, not urinating, or increased urination, excessive grooming, hair loss, and hiding. Additionally, a cat that is usually gentle may suddenly become aggressive, while an active and playful cat might become shy and fearful. Signs of mental tension in cats include tense muscles, heavy breathing, dilated pupils, and a general sense of nervousness.

Severe reactions can potentially lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease with a very low survival rate and no effective treatment.

What are the consequences of stress responses?

Persistent constriction of abdominal blood vessels can lead to ischemia in internal organs. Cats may refuse to eat, leading to liver damage, and could become infected with the herpes virus, presenting with upper respiratory symptoms. They may also suffer from intermittent cystitis (FIC), causing numerous urinary issues. Peripheral blood vessel constriction can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, leading to myocardial ischemia.

What triggers stress responses?

Introducing new family members, whether human or animal, any changes in daily life, loud noises and disturbances during gatherings, and the arrival of new guests can all be stressors. Seeing something unsettling, like a strange cat through a window, or experiencing fear, such as during a thunderstorm, or being attacked by another family member, can also be distressing for cats. In multicat households, younger kittens often face greater challenges.

How to prevent stress responses?

1. Avoid forcing your cat to go outside unnecessarily, and never force them to walk on a leash.

2. When moving, wait until all your belongings are packed before you take care of your cat.

3. Try to avoid bathing your cat outside, and keep indoor baths to a minimum.

4. Keep your cat away from noise as much as possible.

5. Do not bring your cat to friends' houses or suddenly introduce other cats into your home.

6. It's generally not recommended to take your cat on long trips using public transportation.

7. Do not scare your cat or follow the fad of online cat prank videos.

8. Keep your cat's daily items in the same place as much as possible.

Lastly, let's treat our cats as friends, not just objects to be amused at will.