When your cat is feeling scared or anxious, you want to help. But what can you do to calm down a particularly skittish kitty? Our team has the answers.

If your cat is exhibiting signs of stress or anxiety, there are several things you can do. First, identify the cause of your cat’s anxiety. Depending on your cat’s personality, it may be best to give it some space when it’s scared so it doesn’t feel threatened. Be sure to provide access to the essentials, like food and water, and try to spend more intentional quality time with your furry friend. Keep a level head, and don’t lash out at your cat for not being able to express its feelings. It’s also a good idea to take your pet to the vet to rule out any medical issues that might be causing its fear or anxiety.

When you can’t be there to care for your feline, our sitters can be. To learn more about the dedicated Atlanta cat sitters at Critter Sitters, call today at (404) 793-6178.

How Can I Calm Down My Scared or Anxious Cat?

You and your cat speak different languages. So, when your feline is scared or anxious, you can’t exactly ask them what’s wrong. Instead, you may have to try a combination of tactics to identify what’s bothering your cat and to address the issue. Though that can seem like a tall task, the team of dedicated cat sitters at Critter Sitters have some tried-and-true tips that can help you calm down your scared or anxious kitty.

Identify the Cause of Stress

When dealing with a stressed-out cat, it’s important to determine the cause of its anxiety. This can be easier said than done, as various factors might cause your feline friend to feel nervous. If your cat’s jumpy behavior is new, consider what has changed in its routine. Have you started a new job, leaving your cat home all day? In that case, the cat sitters at Critter Sitters can stop by during the day to keep your cat company. Is your cat eating a different type of food? Have you introduced a new friend or another pet into its life? Before you can help your cat with its anxiety, you have to figure out what’s bothering it.

Give Your Cat Space

Cats can get anxious or stressed when they feel crowded. It’s important that your cat has ample space to roam around and escape certain triggers that might cause it to become nervous. Cabin fever can cause anxiety in cats, so consider letting your cat outdoors or expanding its domain in your home. Fresh air can do wonders for any animal, and there’s no shame in taking your feline for a leashed walk so it can clear its head. Sometimes, stress can lead to frustration, so it may be best to give your cat some space when it’s feeling overstimulated. You know your cat better than anyone, so if it likes its alone time, that may be the best solution when it’s feeling particularly anxious.

Provide the Essentials

If you recently adopted a cat and it’s acting scared or anxious, it might be because your new furry friend is unsure what to make of its new environment. To ease your cat’s feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, offer easy access to the essentials. That means water, food, and litter boxes. That’s right, litter boxes, plural. Making sure your home is a welcoming and safe place for your new cat can help alleviate any stress it might be feeling as a new member of your household.

Stay Calm

When your cat is scared or anxious, the worst thing you can do is respond with frustration. Cats have a tendency to run away or lash out when they cannot handle their emotions. It’s your job to stay calm when your cat is stressed out so that it doesn’t feel discarded or attacked. Although it can be difficult to know how to respond to an angsty feline, know what’s probably just overwhelmed and needs a calming presence that can help regulate its emotions.

Introduce Toys

Boredom leads to restlessness, which can lead to anxiety. Introducing toys is one of the best ways to ward off these feelings in your cat. There are many cat toys that felines can use to keep their minds stimulated when you can’t play with them. Toys and activities can distract your cat from feelings of anxiety, ensuring its health and happiness.

Spend Quality Time

Your cat might be stressed or anxious because it feels lonely. When you leave for work or vacation, your cat may feel abandoned, leading to personality changes. To prevent this from happening and remind your cat that it is safe, be sure to spend quality time with your feline when you’re home. Allowing the cat sitters at Critter Sitters to look after your pet when you can’t be there can also help reduce feelings of anxiety in your feline. Don’t underestimate the importance of quality time with the animal that loves and depends on you more than anyone else in the world.

Talk to Your Vet

If you’ve noticed that your cat is increasingly scared or anxious, it may be a good idea to take your feline friend to the vet. Feelings of anxiety or moodiness are not uncommon in cats dealing with medical issues or injuries. Remember, cats can’t talk, so they can’t tell you when something is wrong. Your vet can determine if your cat is dealing with an illness or injury that might be affecting its mood and overall quality of life. With the right medicines and treatments, your cat’s happy attitude may return once you take it to the vet.

Call the Cat Sitters at Critter Sitters Today

If you need someone to keep your cat company while you’re away, our team is here to help. To learn more about the dedicated cat sitters at Critter Sitters, call today at (404) 793-6178.