Cats may seem like emotionally hardy, independent creatures but just like other humans and other animals, they are subject to the effects of stress. Cats, however, tend to react differently to stress and may exhibit very subtle expressions of it.
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Causes
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The cause of cat anxiety is usually a change in its environment, such as moving to a new home, furniture being rearranged, the introduction of a new pet or family member, or a pet or family member dying or moving out.
Identification
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An anxious cat may exhibit behaviors such as excessive grooming, hiding under a bed, scratching at the furniture, pacing about, or defecating and urinating in places other than its litter box.
Effects
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Anxiety can cause physical problems for a cat, including vomiting, shaking, weight loss and lowered immune response.
Types
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One of the most common types of cat anxiety is separation anxiety, when the cat's normal caretaker is gone for a lengthy period of time.
Prevention/Solution
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It may be that the easiest solution is to reverse whatever change in the environment is causing the stress. If this is not doable or desirable, however, tranquilizing medications can be obtained from a vet.
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