Health & Wellness
Pet Health
Understanding the Mind of a Cat By Brad Speed, DVM
C
ats are fun creatures. They warm our hearts as kittens, and they warm our laps as adults. The number of cats kept as house pets has skyrocketed over the past 20 years. As veterinarians, we are seeing cats in record numbers these days. I’ve been surprised over my career by the number of cats we see in the clinic for issues related to behavior. Therefore, I thought it would be prudent to spend some time discussing the quirks and behaviors of the cat. Recognizing some of these key factors may reduce your overall vet visits, as well as dropping your pets stress level when they do need to come in. Stress is one of the most common factors we deal with concerning cats. If you had told me when I was in college how much time I would spend talking with clients about managing their cat’s stress, I would have laughed hysterically. But the fact remains that a cat’s stress level can play deeply into their interactions and overall health. One problem stress causes for cats is urinary issues. A cat who is stressed in their environment may start to urinate in inappropriate places in the house. If this happens, it is typically due to stress, or infection. Infection causes cats to sit and strain in the litterbox, while stress can cause them to avoid a litterbox altogether. It takes a vet visit to distinguish between the two possibilities, and what can be done about them. 72 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - March 2022
Another problem stress causes in cats is aggressive behavior. This is most often seen in a vet office, or at home when cats are forced into interactions they don’t want to have. Examples would be the addition of a new pet, kids playing too rough with them, or a house full of company. When most cats become fearful or stressed they try to hide. When that doesn’t work, they often start to growl, scratch or bite. These types of interactions make vet visits a nightmare for both the pet and the owner, and the at-home interactions can reduce your overall bond with your cat. So what can be done about stress in cats? There is actually a lot that can be done to help cats when they have these issues. First, we need to recognize what a cat is: a predator. Cats were meant to hunt for their food, not eat from a bowl. This simple truth is the root of a lot of stress for cats, especially indoor only cats. We took an animal that is adapted to hunt and prowl and brought them into a closed environment. Because of that, some cats will become stressed from boredom. The cure for this is environmental enrichment. Make sure your house has plenty of toys for your cat to play with and plenty of places to prowl around in and explore. Cat towers with scratching posts are a great example of environmental enrichment for a cat. These guys get bored. Give them something to do. Second, we need to know what irritates the average cat. Cats in general are wary of strangers, noise, bright lights, and often other pets. It is always best to approach cats in a quiet, calm manner. Examples of stress inducing actions people do to cats would be when company comes over. Your cat is hiding in the corner, but you go over and pick it up and hold it for your friend to come pet. The cat will feel trapped and may even react aggressively in some of
