Fearfulness, trembling, shaking Another symptom of PTSD and a distressed cat is fearfulness observed through shaking and trembling. PTSD can cause your cat to live in fear of external threats and they may tremble or shake especially in stressful situations.
“Dogs and cats may attempt to escape or flee situations where frightened, they may become aggressive when interacted with or if forced out of a hiding spot, may freeze or show avoidance behaviors such as hiding or becoming still, and fidget by pacing, jumping up, or repeatedly pawing at their owners.”
PTSD symptoms can include:
Urinating. Hiding. Destructive behaviour. Fear of being alone.
If you suspect your cat is suffering from a trauma, establishing a calm safe environment for them is critical. This can include pheromone or essential oil therapy in diffusers and playing calming music to muffle loud noises to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Place her in a familiar, quiet area and keep things calm. Avoid other irritants, such as vacuums, strangers, or other pets who have a history of friction with the cat. And absolutely no visual cues that remind her of the incident that just happened.
The findings show that cats can remember traumatic experiences, and remembering such events can have a lasting effect on their physiology and behavior.
“Play is an important part of relieving stress,” Delgado says. “It helps cats release those feel-good hormones.” Providing cats with physical and mental stimulation “isn't extra—it's essential,” she adds. “It's just as important as food and water.”
Sit down next to your pet, rather than standing over them which can feel threatening. Stroke their head or back and give them a treat or two to encourage them to sit down with you. Give your cat their own space. Some cats may feel anxious about eating or using the litter box around other cats or pets.
If you notice your cat seems anxious, try shutting the curtains and putting on some music or the TV so they can relax somewhere safe and cosy, especially if your cat is scared of things you can't control or loud noises like fireworks. Always stay calm.
Changes in your cat's behaviour include:
Avoiding situations or people more than usual eg not wanting to interact with you anymore. Hiding away for long periods of time. Toileting or spraying in the home.
Cats may lose their appetite or be sick occasionally or behave in a way that owners have never seen before, such as spraying urine against the wall indoors or behaving aggressively. The sooner you realise that your cat could be experiencing stress, the sooner you can resolve the problem.
Signs of stressed cats can include: becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual. becoming less tolerant of people. hesitating or becoming reluctant to use the litter tray, go through the cat flap or sit on your lap. eating or drinking less.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Changes in body language, including ears held back, tucked tail, and hairs standing on end. Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets.
Cats have a reputation for being uncaring and aloof, but according to an animal behavior expert, that couldn't be further from the truth. Anna Chaney—an associate curator at Memphis Zoo who specializes in felines—told Newsweek that cats do have emotions—and just like humans, their feelings are capable of being hurt.
“Cats don't forgive, and once they realize a person is causing them anxiety or hurt, they keep away.” So says John Bradshaw, an anthrozoologist at Bristol University and author of “Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet.”
Sleeping with you provides them with security and an extra defense if a predator should launch a nighttime attack. They sleep with you because they trust you, they know you're not a danger and you can also provide an extra layer of defense if needed.
Catnip contains an essential oil that acts as a feline pheromone stimulant and relaxant, which may help reduce stomach pain, bloating, anxiety, and stress in cats. It may also relax your cat so they would quietly go to bath or sleep soundly.
Not stroking them too much can even increase their levels of affection and reduce aggression. This is very different from humans, who use touch (like hugs) to strengthen our social relationships. Humans also tend to seek support from others when stressed or unwell, while cats prefer to hide and be alone.
Cats Can Purr When Stressed
This is similar to how people can soothe themselves by laughing or crying. You can tell if your cat is stress purring by picking up on their other cues — are they otherwise content, or are they fidgety, agitated and on edge? If so, they might just need a little alone-time in a quiet room.
Cat anxiety symptoms include:
Hiding, pacing, crouching defensively. New aggressive or overly clingy behavior. Meowing way more than usual. Coat changes from not grooming or bald patches from over-grooming.
Signs Cats Worry About Their Humans
Recent studies have shown that cats notice if their humans are absent, especially for a longer period of time than it takes to go buy milk. When the human returns, the cat who was so affectionate before may walk away or appear to sulk.
Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. Changes in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem.
Severely affected cats may not want or know how to play. They remain vigilant, reclusive, and often quiet. These are general signs. Specific signs may reflect the type of abuse the cat suffered.