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Dr Mendoza’s 3rd baby with Tate. Dr Mendoza is an expert at acclimating her pets to a growing household.
“Not all babies and cats get along so well,” says Dr Adriana Mendoza, Medical Director at Firehouse Leander. “But these two have been best friends from the start. Tate, a Texas Humane Heroes rescue, is older and calmer. A new baby didn’t give him anxiety.
Often times, cats do get stressed when a new baby enters the household. To help pets adjust, I suggest letting all your pets (cats and dogs) sniff the baby bonnet or blanket that your newborn wore in the hospital,” advises Dr Mendoza. “Then, they’ll be ready to meet your new baby when you bring them home.”
Help your cat relax faster by knowing his or her stress triggers.
Cats are highly sensitive creatures. This means they don’t always react well to change. Both minor and major changes to their routines can lead to anxiety.
Firehouse teaches pet owners about 3 major stressors for cats:
-changes to their environment (like moving homes or adding a new baby)
-changes to their routine
-and adding new siblings (people or other pets) to the household
You know your cat best. Call us if they show any of these 3 common signs. It means your cat is worried. We’ll help rule out medical issues and help solve environmental ones.
1. Urinating and defecating outside the litter box
Anxious cats are more likely to get stress-induced bladder inflammation. And once a cat associates painful urination with the litter box, they often begin to urinate or poop outside of it.
If your cat has started avoiding the litter box, it could be due to their stress or they may have an underlying medical condition.
The solution? Please call us. We want to rule out medical concerns and confirm your cat’s behavior is stress related. Then we can review your lifestyle to see if there’s been a disruption to their routine that we can adjust.
2. Showing signs of physical discomfort
-Call us if your cat has stopped eating, is vomiting, or is having diarrhea. It’s important for a veterinarian to check that there isn’t a hidden medical issue causing stress.
-Overgrooming and pulling out hair is usually a reaction to pain, allergies, or new medicines. In rare situations, it may be a reaction to a stressor. That’s because grooming releases endorphins, making it a pleasant activity for your feline friend.
-Most importantly, call us if your cat’s stress is affecting them so severely that they are not eating, vomiting, or having diarrhea.
3. Acting more reclusive than usual
Worried cats tend to hide. They might also shun interaction with you or other pets in the household.
You may find your cat lurking in their favorite hiding spot more often, or they may set up shop in a dark closet. In addition, they may become aggressive if you try to force them to come out and play.
Call us so we can help you with your individual situation.
April is Stress Awareness Month. It’s a great time to shed light on a cat’s sensitive nature and help prevent stress.
Keep a close eye on your cat to see if they become stressed by changes in your household and contact our team if you notice any worrying signs.
