Signs of stress in cats: how to help your cat feel safe and secure

Please note:
This article is a general guide only and isn’t a substitute for individual vet or behavioural advice. Every cat is different, and sudden or ongoing changes in behaviour can also be a sign of an underlying health issue. If you’re concerned about your cat, speak with your vet, who can also refer you to a vet behaviourist if needed.

Stress in cats often shows up as subtle changes in behaviour, habits, or body language. While these changes can be easy to overlook, they can provide important clues about your cat’s wellbeing. If stress continues over time, it may contribute to health and behaviour problems and have a significant impact on your cat’s wellbeing.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the signs your cat may be stressed, common causes of stress, and practical ways to help them feel safe and secure.

Table of contents

• Signs of stress in cats
• Acute versus chronic stress
• Common triggers for stress in cats
• How to support your cat
• Litter tray changes and urine marking
• When to visit the vet
• The difference pet insurance can make when stress-related health problems arise

Signs of stress in cats

Cats can show stress in different ways, and the signs are often subtle. While a single change in behaviour may not be cause for concern, noticing several changes in your cat’s behaviour at once, or a shift from what’s normal for your cat, may indicate that something is affecting their wellbeing. If you’re concerned about your cat’s behaviour or wellbeing, speak to your vet, who can help identify any underlying medical or behavioural issues and advise on the most appropriate next steps.

Common signs that your cat may be experiencing stress include:

• Hiding more than usual or spending more time away from people
• Over-grooming, particularly around the belly or legs, sometimes resulting in thinning fur or bald patches
• Urine spraying, or urinating or defecating outside the litter tray
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in body language
• Showing less interest in play and other activities they would normally enjoy
• Becoming more vocal than usual, such as growling, hissing or yowling, or becoming quieter and more withdrawn than normal
• Seeking more contact with people than usual or, conversely, avoiding people or other animals
• Being more easily startled by everyday sounds or movement
• Sleeping or resting more than usual

Acute versus chronic stress

Stress can be acute (sudden and short-term) or chronic (ongoing or recurring over a longer period). Understanding the difference can help you recognise when your cat may need additional support.

Acute stress

Acute stress is your cat’s immediate response to something they perceive as threatening, unfamiliar, or overwhelming, such as a loud noise, an unfamiliar dog, or an unexpected visitor. This response is a normal part of how cats cope with potential danger and is often easier to recognise because the signs tend to appear suddenly.

Signs of acute stress may include:

• Freezing or becoming unusually still
• Shaking or trembling
• Rapid breathing
• Changes in body language, such as a tense or crouched posture, holding the tail tightly against the body, ears flattened back against the head, wide dilated pupils, staring, avoiding eye contact, or rapid blinking
• Excessive swallowing, drooling, or licking the nose or lips
• Passing urine or faeces unintentionally
• Attempting to hide, run away, or escape
• Reacting defensively if approached, such as vocalising or swiping
• Vocalising more than usual, such as growling, hissing, or yowling, or becoming unusually quiet
• An arched back with fur standing on end, often including a bushy tail

Chronic stress

Chronic stress develops when a cat is exposed to ongoing or repeated stressors over time. The signs are often more subtle and may appear as gradual changes in your cat’s behaviour, routines, or daily habits. Because these changes can develop slowly, chronic stress can be more difficult to recognise.

If stress continues over time, it can affect your cat’s welfare and may contribute to health or behaviour problems, making it important to identify and address potential sources of stress as early as possible.

Signs of chronic stress may include ongoing changes in your cat’s normal behaviour, habits, and routines, such as:

• Changes in eating, grooming, toileting or sleeping habits, such as eating less or more than usual, over-grooming, or changes in normal toileting behaviour
• Resting or sleeping more than usual, including appearing to sleep while remaining alert to their surroundings (‘pretend’ sleep)
• Hiding more than usual
• Seeking more interaction or becoming more withdrawn from social interactions
• Becoming more reactive towards people or other animals
• Being more easily startled by everyday sounds or movement
• Showing less interest in play and other activities they would normally enjoy
• Increased scratching or facial rubbing on objects and surfaces
• Repetitive behaviours that appear out of context, such as grooming during a stressful situation

Long-term stress may also contribute to stress-related health conditions, such as feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC).

Common triggers for stress in cats

Cats generally feel safest when their environment and daily routine are predictable and familiar.

Even small changes to their surroundings can leave them feeling unsettled. Some of the most common sources of stress for cats include conflict with other animals, including other cats in the household, competition for, or limited access to important resources, such as litter trays, food and water bowls, scratching surfaces, hiding places, or favourite resting spots. A lack of physical and mental stimulation, as well as limited opportunities to express natural behaviours such as climbing, scratching, hiding, exploring, and playing, may also contribute to stress and frustration.

Other situations that may contribute to stress include:

• Moving house or renovating your home
• Changes to their daily routine or environment, including new furniture
• Welcoming a new baby, pet, or person into the household
• Having visitors or guests in your home
• Changes to normal household routines, such as the family going away for the holidays
• Loud or unfamiliar noises
• Being picked up or handled beyond what they’re comfortable with
• Losing a person or animal companion they were bonded to

Every cat is different. While one cat may adapt to change relatively easily, another may need more time, patience, and support to adjust.

How to support your cat

If your cat is showing signs of stress, there are things you can do to help them feel more relaxed, safe, and secure. The aim is to create an environment where they feel comfortable, confident, and in control.

Make sure they have what they need

Cats are less likely to experience stress when they can easily access important resources whenever they need them and without competition from other animals. Make sure your cat has access to essential resources, including litter trays, food and water bowls, scratching surfaces, resting areas, and places to hide. In multi-cat households, it’s particularly important to provide enough resources in suitable locations so that all cats can access them when they choose and without having to compete with other cats. A good rule of thumb is to provide one of each resource per cat, plus one extra, in different locations around the home. Lack of access to resources and competition between cats are common sources of stress in multi-cat households.

Identify the cause of stress

It can be frustrating when your cat scratches the sofa or toilets outside the litter tray. However, these behaviours may be a sign that something is affecting your cat’s wellbeing. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause is an important first step.

Punishment is unlikely to address the underlying cause of these behaviours and may make them worse, while also negatively affecting your relationship with your cat.

Instead, reward the behaviours you’d like to see. For example, praise your cat or offer them a treat when they use their scratching post instead of the sofa, or when they use their litter tray appropriately. Rewarding desirable behaviours can help create positive associations and support your cat’s wellbeing.

Respect your cat’s boundaries

Cats generally prefer to choose when and how they interact. Allow your cat to approach you and engage with you on their own terms, rather than picking them up or seeking affection when they’re not interested. Giving cats choice and control over their interactions can help them feel more comfortable and secure.

Keep routines predictable

Cats also tend to feel safest when their daily routine is predictable. Keeping feeding, playtime, and other daily activities consistent can help reduce uncertainty and create a sense of security because they know what to expect.

Create a stimulating environment

Providing opportunities to climb, scratch, hide, explore, and play help cats express their natural behaviours and provides important physical and mental stimulation. When cats are unable to engage in these behaviours, they may become frustrated, bored, or stressed. Scratching posts, elevated resting places, puzzle feeders, and regular interactive play are all simple ways to enrich your cat’s environment.

Read more about how you can keep playtime fun, stimulating and safe here.

Consider pheromone diffusers as part of a broader stress management plan

Some cats may benefit from synthetic feline pheromone diffusers during particularly stressful times, such as moving house, introducing a new pet, losing a companion, or following other changes in the household. While they won’t address the underlying cause of stress, they may be helpful for some cats when used as part of a broader stress management plan.

Introduce new pets gradually

Welcoming a new pet to your home? Take things slowly. Introducing a new pet, including a new cat or kitten, too quickly can be stressful for the animals involved. Gradual introductions, starting with scent swapping before moving to supervised visual and physical introductions over a period of time, allows each pet to adjust at their own pace and gives them the best chance of developing a positive relationship.

Litter tray changes and urine marking

Changes in your cat’s litter tray habits are often one of the first signs that something is affecting their health or wellbeing. Stress can play a role, but so can underlying health conditions, which is why it’s always best to consult your vet if you notice any changes in your cat’s behaviour.

If your vet rules out a medical cause, the behaviour may be linked to stress, urine marking, or a problem with the litter tray itself. Cats can be particular about the size of their tray, the type of litter, where it’s placed and how clean it is. If these preferences are not met, some cats may avoid using the tray. To learn more about setting up your cat’s litter tray and how to manage litter tray problems, you can read our full guide here.

Urine marking is also commonly associated with stress and can occur when a cat feels insecure or threatened in their environment. Rather than being a toileting accident, marking is often a form of scent communication that allows cats to leave familiar scent marks and communicate with other cats.

When to visit the vet

If your cat is showing signs of stress, it’s always worth paying attention, especially if the behaviour is new, persistent or becoming more severe.

Contact your vet promptly if your cat:

• Is straining to urinate
• Has a reduced appetite
• Is losing weight
• Is grooming excessively
• Shows any other change in behaviour that’s unusual for them

These signs can sometimes point to an underlying medical condition rather than stress alone. Some conditions that can affect a cat’s health and welfare may initially appear as behavioural changes. For example, urinary blockages are a medical emergency, particularly in male cats, and need immediate vet attention.

If your vet rules out a medical cause and your cat’s stress-related behaviour continues, they may recommend a referral to a vet behaviourist. A behaviourist can help identify factors that may be contributing to your cat’s stress and develop a tailored plan to help them feel more comfortable and confident.

The difference pet insurance can make when stress-related health problems arise

In some cases, stress can contribute to health problems that require vet care. From consultations and diagnostic tests to treatment for eligible conditions, the costs can add up when you least expect them. That’s where pet insurance can provide some relief.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance, eligible health conditions are covered depending on your level of cover, helping you access the vet care your cat needs when it matters most. You can also customise your cover to suit your pet and budget, and every policy contributes to vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives. So while you’re protecting your own pet, you’re also providing support to other animals in need across Australia.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

 

References 

[1] International Cat Care. Stress in cats. Available from: https://icatcare.org/articles/stress-in-cats

[2] International Cat Care. Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) in cats. Available from: https://icatcare.org/articles/feline-idiopathic-cystitis-fic-in-cats

[3] RSPCA Knowledgebase. What does my cat’s body language mean? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/behaviour/what-does-my-cats-body-language-mean

[4] RSPCA Knowledgebase. Why is my cat urinating inappropriately? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/behaviour/why-is-my-cat-urinating-inappropriately

[5] RSPCA Knowledgebase. Why does my cat scratch the furniture? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/behaviour/why-does-my-cat-scratch-the-furniture

[6] RSPCA Knowledgebase. How should I introduce a new cat or kitten to my existing cat? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/how-should-i-introduce-a-new-cat-or-kitten-to-my-existing-cat

[7] RSPCA Knowledgebase. One of my cats has died, should I get a companion for my remaining cat? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/one-of-my-cats-has-died-should-i-get-a-companion-for-my-remaining-cat

[8] International Cat Care. Multi-cat households. Available from: https://icatcare.org/articles/multi-cat-households

[9] International Cat Care. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Available from: https://icatcare.org/articles/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease