The third section is most important if you’re only trying to integrate a new cat into your existing household. Decreases risk of stroke: Studies show that cat owners are less likely to be at risk for having a stroke than any other pet owner. Congratulations! So, if 1) you are a cat owner and 2) you are about to move house, then you should definitely learn how to go about moving your cat to your new home. Read on for more! * * * After nine years at our current home, our family—including our two older cats—is moving into a new house. Pet owners sometimes don't believe that anxiety could affect their beloved cats. Typically, cats have the reputation of being very independent. We found no differences between cat-owners and the other participants on any of the self-report measures of anxiety, depression or experiences in relationships. Don’t take this personally, in my experience it’s really not the case. Besides the basics, like pledging eternal love and devotion to your furry, four-legged overlord while supplying endless treats, snuggles, and skritches, here's a few things first-time cat owners need to know. Those cats know that their new owner is distressed, that meals don’t arrive on time and that no one brushes their coat. Here are some simple strategies that can help your feline relax when you have to be away. A cat has taken over your house and enslaved you. For the resident cat, as well as the stress associated with the sudden presence of an unfamiliar cat in to their home (often referred to as a cat’s ‘core territory’), there are likely to be other general changes associated with the addition of a new cat that might also cause your cat stress (such as a change in your behaviour, changes in routines, changes to access around the home etc. Talk to your vet. I have two cats, one male and one female. If the symptoms aren’t too severe, most vets will start working with you on … A cat with separation anxiety may insist on being with the owner at all times, even following the owner from room to room. A lot of different scenarios can set off anxiety in a cat. So aside from getting a cat on impulse, people who have just brought home their first cat often make many other common mistakes. Dogs may be man’s best friend, but science shows owning any companion animal can be very good for your mental and physical health. Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management Rebecca J Sargisson School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New ZealandAbstract: Dogs with separation-related behavior problems engage in unwanted behavior such as destruction of property and excessive vocalization when left alone, causing distress for both the dog and the owner, and often leading to the … The first thing you need to do is establish the origins of your cat's anxiety. Loading... Close. New studies prove just how beneficial it is to own a pet. Anxiety is a serious medical problem that can be worrying for owners and dangerous for the animals themselves, and it is not to be dismissed. To move the cat to a room it can be alone in, ... My cat is very anxious around the new vacuum, even when I put it … Cat separation anxiety signs include excessive vocalizations, overgrooming, and eliminating on their owner’s items in an attempt to mingle their scents together. The aim is to provide a calm, non-threatening environment so that cat's anxiety levels fall. ). In order to help you recognize it, in this AnimalWised article we will explain what are the symptoms of anxiety in cats and what you can do to help. Moving a cat to a new house involves three basic aspects: pre-move preparations, the move itself and settling into the new home. if this will trigger you or you simply dont want to see what an anxiety attack looks like dont watch!!! 5 Separation anxiety. When you take on a cat or kitten it may be quiet and wary for the first few days or even the first few weeks until it gets used to you and its new environment. Scared or aroused cats can and will bite their owners and they will scratch. One form of stress can actually come from you the owner. From there, you can come up with an appropriate course of action that is best suited for your cat. The following is a list of the best cat breeds for first-time cat owners. Cat anxiety. Separation Anxiety in Cats: The Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For. Signs of separation anxiety in cats may occur when the cat is separated from his owner or another companion pet with which he has a strong bond. Cat Anxiety Treatment Options. My Cat Is Hissing at Me Because of New Kitten. Before you can solve the problem, you must identify it. Once your kitty is diagnosed with separation anxiety, your veterinarian will recommend treatment. Anxiety is, in fact, one of the major behavioral conditions seen by veterinarians. Anxiety Triggers. Put them all together, and you’ve got the stuff of feline nightmares. Separation anxiety is a dislike of solitude which is commonly seen in cat behaviour. 1. Just like in humans, anxiety in cats can manifest in many different ways, and it isn’t always as easy to identify as a straightforward illness – there’s no blood test for cat anxiety! Below are seven simple things you can do to help soothe your cat’s anxiety during a move to a new home. Scientists speculate this is also because of a cat’s lower-maintenance ownership. Remove all; Disconnect; The next video is … A new study, published in the academic journal Scientific Reports on June 6, found that dogs can pick up on their owners' anxiety.… Grigoriy Pil/Shutterstock By Melissa Kravitz Search. Cats have a reputation for being independent, but they are actually social creatures who form close bonds with their owners and animal companions.Because of this, cats are susceptible to developing separation anxiety -- a behavioral disorder that causes stress when the cat is left alone. Changing physical and environmental factors in the house can cause an increase of anxiety in your cat. Both are about 10 years old and both have been in the same household for about the same time. U.S. Your cat may be feeling a huge gulf of anxiety that something so familiar is gone. If your cat was once in a loving home, he may become upset and agitated when his new favorite person isn’t around. Your cat will often act like they are upset at you too when you bring a new cat into the home. Cat anxiety. But you can rest assured that a cat is waiting for you out there. A short and sweet petting session is often enough to relax owners and reduce stress and anxiety. However, as a first-time cat owner, it might be hard to choose the best cat breed for you, and most especially you have never handled a cat. This can cause their owners great anxiety because they feel the cat … Once you do bond, a new issue may appear: separation anxiety. And in comparison to dogs, cats are a little more subtle about showing their insecurities, but they are suffering nonetheless. Determine the Cause. My male cat has progressively become more aggressive towards the female. However, some cats remain very fearful despite a gentle welcome and time to settle in. A calming natural or prescription medication could be just what your stressed-out furbaby needs to relax. All three sections below apply to a move with a resident pet. This can be especially true for cats who have experienced trauma in … Treating the Cat’s Stress Instead of Depression After all, cats don't have to hold down a job and pay the bills. Cat anxiety treatment includes behavioral modification, and drugs may be necessary. Watch Queue Queue. Watch Queue Queue. Often times — in fact, in the vast majority of the times — the pet’s anxiety and struggle disappears when the owner leaves the room or the pet is “taken to the back.” Chronic stress can have an impact on a pet’s emotional, and even physical, health. What Causes Anxiety in Cats? Causes of stress include moving to a new home, adding another member to the household or just taking a trip to the vet. WARNING THIS VIDEO IS A SIMULATED ANXIETY ATTACK. Start by involving your veterinarian, especially if your cat shows worrisome signs like urinating outside of the box, excessive grooming, missing patches of hair, vomiting, excessive vocalization and appetite loss. Yet cat anxiety can be a big issue for many owners, even if they don’t know it’s actually happening. Likewise, if your household has experienced a change recently—moving to a new … Some cats bond so closely with their humans that being left alone causes the cat to suffer from separation anxiety, similar to the stress kids experience when their parents leave home without them. 10 Ways to Help Keep Your Cat Calm. This video is unavailable. Well-intentioned and concerned pet owners triggering and reinforcing their cat’s anxiety with the procedures taking place. How to Reduce Cat Anxiety and Stress. Like people, cats can become stressed by a variety of situations. Cats are so rewarding to have in your family, and they take a lot of work, despite the common misconception that cats are completely independent. You see, cats develop strong bonds with their environment, which makes changing homes stressful for them on multiple levels. Introducing a new member to the house as well as something simple like not changing the cat litter often enough. Pay special attention to our practical advice when moving with cats so that the relocation trip proves to be smooth and stress-free not only for your feline friend, but also for you as their loving master. Skip navigation Sign in. Some typical reactions to the loss of an owner include attempts to escape, loss of appetite, problems using the litter box, inability to sleep normally, hiding, urine spraying, frequent vocalization, restlessness, excessive grooming, shaking, loss of interest in playtime and toys and searching relentlessly for the missing person. It’s more likely that your cat is upset because of the new cat entering the home and they are in a mood. Cats grieve in a way that is very noticeable. Moving is high on the list.The commotion, familiar furniture disappearing, getting swooped down upon and unceremoniously stuffed into a carrier — any of these things is enough to agitate a cat. Many cat owners can tell you their cats can be pretty aloof but our evolving understanding of this remarkable species suggests they can form significant social bonds and some cats do seem to experience separation anxiety when apart from their owners. Self-inflicted hair loss, aggression, or changes in litterbox usage are often traced back to anxiety. What is there to be anxious about? Cat-owners rated cat miaows as more negative relative to the other adults with and without pets. He "hunts" the other cat, stalking her …