A clinical feline behaviourist has explained how you might be stressing your cat out without realising it.
There are signs that indicate that cats are happy – such as purring, slow blinks and walking with their tails upright. Cats also show when they are unhappy by, for example, sleeping more or less than usual or hiding more than they normally do.
Amanda Campion, who has more than 30 years of experience of caring for cats known as Kittysitty Clinical Feline Behaviourist, has claimed that if you have noticed a change in your cat’s behaviour, you might be inadvertently stressing them out. She posted a video on TikTok to delve into this issue.
In the clip, she said: “Is your cat acting grumpy or hiding more? You may be stressing them out without even realising it.” Here are some of the things that could be causing your pet upset.
Loud noises
The feline expert explained: “Cats have got really, really sensitive hearing so loud noises, loud volume, TV, hoovers, banging workman sounds, that can really, really stress them out.
“So if you’ve got any work like that or you wanna vacuum, ideally keep the volume down around your cat.”
Inconsistency
Campion added that inconsistency, especially in a cat’s routine can stress them out.
She described cats as “creatures of habit” so the “predictability of their routine makes them feel safe” and when you change this, whether it’s play time or feed time it can make them feel “really anxious”.
Forced affection
Another way you might be stressing your cat out without realising it, according to Campion, is forcing cuddles.
She highlighted that “cat consent is everything” and some cats are happy to be picked up or sit on your lap but not every cat wants that level of interaction so if they’re happy just sitting near you, Campion advises to “take it as a compliment”.
Safe and tidy spaces
She continued: “Dirty litter boxes. This really, really stresses a cat out because they’re fastidious in their cleanliness and habits. Would you like to sit on a dirty toilet? No thank you and neither should your cats. The kindest thing you can do for your cat is always sure they have a pristine litter box.”
The clinical feline behaviourist then moved on to discussing a lack of safe spaces. She noted that cats like to feel safe and secure, such as in a cardboard box, but she said it is important to keep their beds off the floor to make them feel safer as “cats are prey too.”
Campion’s TikTok video prompted cat owners to share comments about their pets. One shared: “I adopted a lovely 6-year-old cat a few months ago.
“She spends about half her day with me on the couch when I work from home and about half in my wardrobe in a little cat bed on top of my drawers. Giving her this space and choice seems to be working for her – she’s getting more and more cuddly when we sit together.”
Another added: “My two cats love the beanbag in the living room.” And a third revealed: “My kitten won’t jump up [to] places and I think it’s a confidence issue as she looks to climb up before a jump.”
