“She is again meowing excessively and hiding herself at odd places. She is no more the same. She needs help. Yes she needs it badly.” This is often a common concern among the cat owners. Just like their human masters, cats are also prone to anxiety and nervousness. Cats like stable environments and are highly unwelcoming to changes and new additions. Being independent and solitary creatures in the wild, domestic cats are very good at hiding their nervous side. You need to be watchful of their physical presentation and behavior so that anything “out of normal” can be identified and resolved quickly.
Common indicators of nervousness in a feline are; loss of appetite, excessive vocalization, toileting at odd places, frequent hiding at secluded places, fastidious grooming and withdrawal from its master leading to no more purrs and cuddles. Although handling a nervous cat is a tough job, your love for the four-legged beauty drives the move. Let’s explore some of the effective ways to help your fur buddy during those anxious days.
1. Be calm and gentle
Every cat is an individual. Some cats might appear to be very casual and laid back while others might exhibit high level sensitivity to external factors. Being a feline parent, you must be very watchful of your cat’s behavior and once you notice any change, it is always advisable to tackle it with a calm and gentle attitude. Of course your initial reaction towards a “potty accident” is to berate and shout but that’s not the solution. Your feline buddy needs your help to overcome its insecurities. Just like humans, they need assurance and acceptance time and again. They must feel needed and loved. Those lovely purrs don’t come for free; every single gesture of yours counts towards it.2. Play with them
Your choice of pets reflects your personality. Cats are labeled as the easy to maintain pets that sync well with a busy lifestyle. All they need is automatic water and food bowl, clean litter box and of course some place to climb and scratch. But this does not mean that you should leave your feline unattended. A cat needs your quality time to play around. Though super store shelves are loaded with different types of cat toys, human interaction is all that they need. A nervous cat is more in need of your help and company. May it be re-homing or any kind of displacement that has made your feline nervous, now it’s your job to give comfort and reassurance back to your furry. Positive play interaction is the best stress releaser that engages your nervous cat in physical activity.3. Create a safe zone
A safe and predictable environment keeps a cat happy and stimulated. Any intruder from the neighborhood or a new pet in the house is highly disturbing for your fur buddy. The best thing in such circumstances is to make your garden and home as safe and cat friendly as it can be. Make sure that your furry friend has all the required resources at its disposal. An enclosed and safe outside space should be equipped with enough resources like drinking water, places to sleep, eat, hide and scratch. Same goes for its indoor environment. Never ignore instinctive needs and facilitate enough to help your cat adjust with the changing circumstances. Never try to make your furry #1 insecure by favouring new additions. Try to maintain balance and enough space for all. Always introduce any new pet gradually and give your feline time and space to adjust with the new housemates.4. Provide a hiding place
A nervous cat is head -shy and will often react by walking and shying away from people and noises. It spends most of its time under a bed or behind a cupboard. For a nervous cat, a hiding place is a boon where it feels safe and less threatened. It is highly advisable to give your nervous cat a feeling of invisibility thus allowing it to roam freely in the house without being focused upon or caught out. Put the food bowls and litter boxes at places which are isolated and infrequently visited to promote a relaxed cohabitation. It is true that an anxious and nervous cat makes an unhappy pet but being a feline parent your proper understanding of the expectations of a nervous cat from its life will help you and your kitty wade through this unsettled phase.5. Plan change in advance
A cat is very sensitive to any change in its master’s routine. Unpredictability makes a feline anxious and nervous so it is always advisable that if you are planning to switch your job or adding up new things in your ‘to do list’, you try to keep your interactions with your play pal consistent and predictable. You must plan these changes ahead so that it does not stress your feline partner. Don’t let change in your routine affect the feeding and play times of your cat otherwise you are sure to experience a decrease in cute cuddles. Once a cat becomes insecure, it develops mistrust and will get itself detached not only from its master but also from the surroundings.6. Give your cat treats and rewards
Cats are wonderful companions. A complex mix of influences and individual genetics shape a cat’s behavior and character. A nervous feline is more prone to trying to escape. Food treats can help in bridging the gap between you and your nervous cat. Offering small amount of meat, fish or other tasty treats on the palm of your hand makes your furry buddy feel wanted and loved. Don’t let your four-legged beauty dwell in discontent rather lift it up by ensuring a “feel in control” environment.Read more about cat tree
Although cats are merchandised as solitary creatures often desiring “my time my space”, constant isolation is alarming. Never lose your temper or act aggressively with a nervous cat. An owner’s response is significant in these circumstances. Bring back those lovely purrs and cuddles by calmly handling all the contributing factors. If you notice that all your efforts to calm your fur ball are further triggering restlessness, it is time to seek professional help. Consult a suitable cat behavior specialist who can provide tailored advice that addresses nervous behavior of your feline in an appropriate way.
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