Stress has been recognized as a cause of interstitial cystitis in cats and a factor in the development of many other feline illnesses for some time now. However, recently the effect of stress on healthy cats has been examined more closely with surprising results.
Stress Can Cause Signs of Sickness in Healthy Cats
A study published by Judi L. Stella, Linda K. Lord and Tony Buffington in the January 1, 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association ("Sickness behaviors in response to unusual external events in healthy cats and cats with feline interstitial cystitis") has revealed that stress can exert a harmful role on healthy cats as well as chronically ill cats.
Types of Illnesses Noted in Cats Undergoing Stress
Otherwise healthy cats that were placed in stressful conditions experienced a multitude of symptoms of illness. The most common signs were:
- vomiting
- decreased appetite
- inappropriate elimination (urinating or defecating outside of the litter box)
Though older cats were observed to experience symptoms more frequently than younger cats, cats of all ages were affected.
Types of Stress that Caused Sickness in Healthy Cats
The types of stress that were likely to cause symptoms of illness in healthy cats consisted largely of minor changes in routine, such as a change in feeding schedules or change in handlers.
Consequences of Stress-Related Disease in Healthy Cats
Three of the most common reasons owners schedule veterinary visits are for vomiting, lack of appetite and litter box issues. These very symptoms are the same as those seen in cats exhibiting symptoms related to stress. Cat owners and veterinarians alike must consider changes in the cat's environment when attempting to determine the cause of these types of symptoms.
Avoiding Symptoms Caused by Stress in the Feline Species
Recognizing that minor changes in a cat's environment or normal routine is an important first step in helping to eliminate the potential for stress-related feline disease.
- When possible, minimize changes in your cat's normal routine. Cats do notice the normal comings and goings within a household. Many cats experience stress when their feeding schedule is disrupted or when their owner's work schedule changes. Other changes in routine may include introducing a new family member to the household or a new pet.
- Litter boxes that are not maintained properly can be another source of stress for your cat. Keep your cat's litter boxes clean. Make sure the boxes are located in quiet areas of the house where your cat will not be disturbed when using the box. Make sure that you have enough litter boxes in the house, particularly in a multi-cat household.
- Enrich your cat's environment by providing interactive toys, perches and hiding places. Toys can help keep your cat's mind stimulated. Perches and hiding places will give your cat a place to retreat if he feels the need to rest or escape.
Stress in various forms is becoming more widely recognized as a cause of disease in cats. Even in normal healthy cats, stress can be responsible for causing abnormal symptoms of illness or sickness. Unfortunately, feline stress can be a difficult concept to understand. Many things that seem minor to a cat owner are problematic for their cat.
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