Can Stressing Out Cats Really Make Them Sick?

It's widely accepted that stress can make people sick, but few consider the effects of stress on cats. Though it's hard to imagine Kitty, snug in a warm house, eating a healthy diet, could be stressed, it's possible. Simple things, such as a change in routine, can impact her health.

  1. Less Stress, Improved Health

    • A 2010 research project at Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center set out to study cats' tendency to exhibit sickness behavior. Twelve healthy cats and 20 cats with the chronic illness interstitial cystitis were compared. During the study, the cats' primary caretakers implemented a standardized feeding, cleaning and play schedule for all of the cats. The stable routine had a positive impact on the sick cats; their coats improved, their eyes were brighter and they stopped vomiting and missing the litter box when taking care of their daily business. This shifted the focus of the study to the effect of enrichment therapy on sick cats.

    Hello Stress, Hello Illness

    • Healthy cats felt stress from having their environment disrupted and exhibited sick behaviors. The study also changed the routine and the cats had different caregivers and feeding schedules, furnishings and toys were moved around or removed, cold temperatures introduced and diets were altered. The resulting stress was enough to make the previously healthy cats pee or poo outside their litter boxes, vomit, lose their appetites, and become less active and social. When the normal routine was re-established, stress levels returned to normal and the symptoms disappeared.

    Causes of Stress

    • Many of the triggers causing Kitty stress are environmental. Cats are creatures of habit and their homes are their dens; it's natural for them to become stressed if they feel their security is threatened. Stressful situations can come from the presence of a new person in the house, such as a baby, or a new pet, feline or canine. Losing a beloved friend -- human or pet -- can also trigger stress. A new living space or a move can also cause stress. If for some reason Kitty's physical environment changes -- perhaps a bully has moved into the neighborhood, or you're having some work done on your place -- she could also have a difficult time coping.

    Signs of Stress

    • In addition to physical symptoms, such as vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy, cats tend to display behavioral signs of stress response. Some cats may become clingy; others may scratch or urinate inappropriately to mark territory. In extreme cases, cats may become passive, losing interest in grooming. Over the long term, a stressed cat can become chronically ill, suffering infections and digestive issues.

    Environmental Enrichment: Good for Kitty's Health

    • In the study, one person would play with, talk to and pet each cat on a one-on-one basis several minutes a day. Cats were able to leave their cages for up to 90 minutes a day to interact with other cats and play with toys and on cat furniture. Positive attention and mental stimulation had a strong positive impact on the cats. The good news for you is if Kitty's environment is changing, some good old-fashioned love and attention from you can go a long way to helping her adjust to change in a healthy manner.