Content
- stress in cats
- How to pet the cat
- where to pet the cat
- How to Calm a Cat with Food and Bach Flowers
- cat pheromones
- What odor NOT to use with cats?
- Relaxing music for cats
- Environmental enrichment for cats
- General recommendations for cats
Cats that live with us are directly affected when we are stressed. If before we were away from home all day and now we spend more time at home, that change the routine of these animals, and can be an important source of stress that aggravates previous behavioral disturbances or gives rise to them.
Therefore, in this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain how to calm a cat.
stress in cats
Cats are animals of customs that, in general, are very sensitive to change in their environment, even those that are imperceptible to us. As it is inevitable, when we start to stay more at home than usual, this changes this routine, as it increases the time of company and interaction between cats and their caregivers, which is not always well tolerated by cats, especially if there are children at home, as they are less respectful of their boundaries. More interactions mean more potential for conflict.
In addition, cats used to having access to the outdoors can see this reduced freedom, with consequences on their behavior at home. Another thing to consider is that confined caregivers tend to be more interested in the cat as a way to keep themselves busy. Therefore, it is normal that the search for interaction with the cat increases, that it is more manipulated, that it is offered food more often, that it is encouraged to play, etc.
Stress symptoms in cats
Taking all these changes into account, it's not surprising that cats manifest changes in their behavior as indicative of stress. Some of the symptoms of stress in cats are:
- Aggressiveness towards people and other animals.
- Undoing.
- Improper disposal.
- Marking.
- Hide yourself.
- Stop eating.
Therefore, if we change our routine and spend more time at home for reasons of telecommuting, for example, it is important to know how to relax the cat and, of course, consult the veterinarian case, instead of stress, we face a physical problem. Although clinics are closed, veterinarians are essential services and continue to work over the phone. They can tell you how to proceed with the consultation, if it is essential, with all the security guarantees. Below, we explain how to relax a cat by paying attention to the five senses.
How to pet the cat
If you are interested in relaxing your cat, you can start by stimulating the sense of touch. For this, nothing better than a massage, which brings benefits to those who make and those who receive. Obviously, you should just do it when the cat is receptive. Forcing him would be totally counterproductive.
where to pet the cat
Relaxing massages for cats must be focus on areas in which he himself seeks contact. If you watch, the cat rubs us with:
- The head.
- The cheeks.
- The neck.
- The back.
- The tail.
This will be the sequence to be followed during the massage, always starting at an opportune moment when both be calm.
To do the massage, you can use your fingers extended and apply gentle pressure with the tips, always with gentle movements, which can be circular. It is important to know that cats release calming pheromones through the cheek area, so that, in addition to the sense of touch, we stimulate the sense of smell.
In addition to the cheeks, there are two other sensitive points on the head. behind the ears and chin. You can go down the neck, back and tail with outstretched hand, passing it several times. With both hands, this same movement can be repeated on the sides, without descending towards the abdomen, as this is an area that many cats do not allow contact. The duration of the massage must not exceed 5 to 10 minutes, although the cat can interrupt it when it deems it necessary.
How to Calm a Cat with Food and Bach Flowers
In this sense, food comes into play, which should be the usual one, without exaggerating the prizes. These should never exceed 10% of the daily caloric intake, but it is a good time, yes, to resort to your cat's favorite foods to promote your well being.
Also, in food or water, you can add relaxing drops for cats. One example is Bach flower remedies. Although studies attribute it to only a placebo action, as it has no side effects, it can be used to keep cats calm. If you're interested in how to relax a cat with flowers, you just need to add a few drops to the drinking water or to the cat's food, although they can also be given directly if the cat doesn't mind. A very well known and used floral is called Rescue Remedy, which combines various flower essences to combat stress.
cat pheromones
The sense of smell is very important to cats. We saw that massage can also stimulate you, since among the relaxing aromas for cats, the tranquilizing pheromones that emit in moments of peace. These pheromones are used in various products designed to soothe cats. So they are marketed both spray and plug-in diffusers, and are already a classic option for those concerned with calming cats, although they are not equally effective in all of them.
A particularly pleasant smell for cats is that of gateira or catnip, which can be purchased directly to be planted at home or in different types of toys and prizes to which it is added.
What odor NOT to use with cats?
It is necessary to take into account an odor that is becoming common nowadays. It's the bleach, used to disinfect. It should be noted that some cats reject this odor; therefore, to avoid stress, it would be advisable limit your use or find a replacement. On the other hand, for other cats, the smell of bleach is very attractive and they urinate on the surface where they detect it.
Relaxing music for cats
Noisy events can also be highly stressful for cats. If this is the case for your cat, you must provide it a place to take shelter with as much soundproofing as possible. For example, a carrier box covered by blankets and located in an interior room with the curtains and windows closed.
But if what interests you is how to relax a cat through the sense of hearing, you can resort to relaxing songs for cats. It would be best to try out different melodies and watch their reaction. Classical music is generally a hit as long as it doesn't contain too many shrill or loud sounds that can be irritating to the cat's ears.
For more information, you can consult this other PeritoAnimal article about cats like music?
Environmental enrichment for cats
Finally, cats love to explore, even more from heights.So it's a good idea offer them a high place to observe the street and the interior of the house. And don't forget the environmental enrichment.
All cats, especially if yours was used to hanging out and now can't do that anymore, need an environment to develop their natural behaviors, like climb, run, chase, scratch, etc. So relaxing a cat involves taking all these needs into account. Enjoying a space to disperse, scrapers, a sheltered place to rest, water and food, play, petting, a proper litter box and, above all, respect are the keys to a relaxed and happy cat.
General recommendations for cats
In a nutshell, and in addition to knowing how to relax your cat, remember the following essential guidelines to maintain a good relationship with the feline:
- Respect the limits the cat sets: let him be the one looking for interaction and never force him. You also shouldn't bother him while he sleeps or rests. The cat is more likely to be receptive to play at night, but when it gets tired and goes out, don't insist on prolonging the interaction.
- Safe area for your cat: Establish a safe area where the cat can be alone without anyone approaching.
- keeping an eye on the children: monitor children's contact with the cat and make sure they also know the rules and respect them.
- Alert to stress symptoms: Signs such as tagging, inappropriate elimination, lack of appetite or apathy are warnings that should make you rethink your cat's routines.
- balanced diet: maintain a proper diet and do not exaggerate premiums to avoid digestive changes or excess weight.
- Consult the veterinarian: if the cat's stress does not decrease, it is clear that the use of medications should be evaluated, always under veterinary supervision, and resorted to a specialist in feline behavior, such as an ethologist. It is always necessary to rule out the possibility of a health problem first.
If you want to read more articles similar to how to calm a cat, we recommend that you enter our Extra Care section.