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Stress can undoubtedly cause cats to have gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea. Although diarrhea can be triggered by stress, the condition can also be caused by various medical problems. Therefore, it’s crucial to have the issue evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure the cause is correctly identified and treated.
What Are Some of the Common Signs of Stress
Changes in appetite and bathroom habits are often indicators of stress in cats. Other signs include excessive grooming and vocalization, inappropriate elimination, aggression, withdrawal, lack of interest in eating, and potentially gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.
What Causes Stress in Cats?
Cats become stressed when they perceive something in their environment as negative, which they must deal with consistently.
Are There Ways to Reduce Feline Stress?
Identifying and addressing whatever is triggering the problem is vital to stress reduction. Giving cats the resources they need to feel comfortable, allowing them time to adjust to changes, and implementing routines can reduce stress.
Maintain a Clean and Appealing Litter Box
Cats can become upset when their litter boxes don’t meet their standards. Most have preferences regarding the type of litter they use and where the box is located. They prefer their litter boxes to be in reasonably quiet places.
Cleaning the litter boxes is a significant part of creating a comfortable environment for cats. They need to be scooped every day, regularly dumped, and cleaned well to keep odors at bay.
Combating tough cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet parents but luckily, there are products out there designed to help! Two products that significantly reduce odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray. Find out which is better suit to your needs with our breakdown of each product below. At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder
Eliminates smells
Removes stains
Unscented
Light fresh scent
Works on multiple surfaces
Neutralizes odor within cat litter
Provide Scratching Posts
Cats need to scratch to feel comfortable. Providing several scratching posts allows them to appropriately meet one of their fundamental needs. Cats enjoy digging their claws into different surfaces, and you can buy scratchers with sisal rope or cardboard surfaces. Horizontal and vertical posts allow cats to scratch in various positions, which many enjoy.
Ensure They Have Places to Climb
Cats love to hang out in high places where they can keep an eye on what’s going on around them. High perches allow them to stay relaxed as they wile away the hours and provide places to retreat when cats want to be alone.
Cat trees sometimes include scratchers and toys, and cat shelves can be installed on your walls to provide vertical playgrounds.
Increase Their Playtime
Cats are talented hunters who stalk, chase, and pounce to secure their dinners. Indoor kitties don’t need to hunt but enjoy engaging their instincts in play sessions. Playtime helps cats relieve stress and keeps them healthy; it’s a fantastic way to prevent weight gain in cats.
Consider Pheromones
Several pheromone products are designed to help cats deal with stress. Infusers release calming pheromones that deliver stress relief. They can help cats who suffer from separation anxiety and may even lower the temperature when pets are having trouble getting along.
You can also purchase sprays to add to your cat’s carrier to make the next vet appointment less stressful.
Improve Their Mental Stimulation
Cats require mental stimulation and can become stressed when their emotional needs are neglected. They benefit from having ways to engage with what’s going on outside. Window perches allow them to ensure the local birds stay in line, and food puzzles provide fun ways to engage their problem-solving skills and score a few treats in the bargain.
However, cats benefit most from daily play sessions with their owners. Playing with your cat for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day provides exercise and vital bonding time.
Looking for toys that cater to the many needs of your cat? The Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products. Its clever thee-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that can be enjoyed by cats for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker is a fantastic choice. Equipped with bite and kick-resistant fabric, an enticing internal bell, and organic catnip, cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive.
At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Provide Adjustment Time for Changes
Cats can develop gastrointestinal problems if their food is changed too quickly, and they can become annoyed by sudden litter switches. Introducing new products slowly prevents those sorts of issues from developing.
Prepare Them for the Arrival of New Pets and Babies
The arrival of new pets and babies can send cats into tailspins. Introducing pets to each other slowly and giving them time to become accustomed to each other’s presence can lay an excellent foundation for peaceful future interactions.
Taking steps to introduce your cat to the sounds and smells they’re likely to encounter once a baby arrives makes it easier for them to relax and enjoy the presence of new siblings.
Stick With Routines
Cats are creatures of routine. They feel comfortable when they know that they can look forward to being brushed right after dinner, for example. Household routine changes can stress cats out.
They often have trouble when their favorite person’s work schedule changes or when new babies arrive. Establishing and sticking with routines as much as possible can help your cat feel comfortable in their environment.
Ensure There Are Sufficient Resources
Cats in multi-pet homes can become stressed if there’s resource competition. Providing at least one resource per cat plus one extra ensures your pets have access to food, water, and litter boxes at all times. Spending an equal amount of time playing and cuddling with your cats can also keep everyone happy.
What Are Some of the Other Causes of Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be either acute or chronic in cats. Acute diarrhea episodes are usually short and go away quickly, but chronic problems typically last several weeks or longer. Parasites and viruses are common causes of diarrhea in cats, as are food sensitivities, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and many others. A veterinarian should evaluate cats who have diarrhea for more than a day.
Conclusion
Diarrhea can be triggered by stress, but other conditions can also cause cats to have runny bowels, so it’s important to have cats checked out by a veterinarian to ensure nothing else could be causing the problem.
Cats often become stressed if their basic environmental needs aren’t being met. They can also become overwhelmed when changes in their environment occur too quickly, and they don’t have enough time to adjust. Ensuring cats have comfortable environments that meet their needs and giving them plenty of time to adjust to changes are just two ways to minimize stress.
Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock
