Protecting Your Pets

Going Away? Tips To Calm Anxious Cats When You Go Away

30 January 2017

Deanna Vasquez

Boarding your cat is something that you may find helpful when planning a trip or when you need to be away from your home. Cats can be creatures of habit, and when they are out of their familiar surroundings, they may show signs of stress.

Some ways to tell if your cat is stressed include:

• A change or decrease in appetite.
• Aggressive behavior toward other animals or humans.
• Hiding or isolative behavior.
• Excessive licking or grooming.
• Increased 'accidents' or urinating on the floor.

Cats may become particularly anxious when separated from their human caregiver. Let your boarding kennel know the signs of stress that you have observed, and do what you can to alleviate anxiety when you will be away from home.

Some ways that kennels and boarders calm and de-stress cats are:

Plenty of exercise. One way to curb anxiety in your cat is to make sure they are getting plenty of exercise. Spend time playing with your cat to help distract and channel their nervous energy. Consider relocating their dish a few feet to make them move a bit more for a bite to eat. 

Feed them only high-quality, nutrient-rich food. Spend a little more to make sure they are getting a nutritious diet. If you have difficulty getting them to adapt to a new food, only feed them the recommended portion twice per day, without leaving food out for grazing, until the cat adjusts to the change.

Create a hideaway for your cat. Create a cozy, safe place for your pet to hide when they are feeling nervous or stressed. This could be a cat kennel, a quiet corner, or a pet tent that contains their favorite toys and an article of clothing from the cat's favorite human.

Natural remedies and treatment. There are some very effective natural cures that can help significantly soothe an anxious cat. Talk with your veterinary provider about medications, and let this practitioner know when you are using herbs or homeopathic treatments in treating your pet.

Some homeopathic remedies for stress and anxiety that could help your kitty are:

• Dried hop flowers.
• Valerian root tincture.
• Dried catnip.
• Chamomile flowers.

Take your pet to a licensed boarding kennel like Animal Care Center of Forest Park when you need to go away or are planning a trip. If your pet exhibits signs of stress, make sure to let your boarder know so that they may provide some measures to help soothe and calm your cat. Use these tips to identify how your pet is feeling and when they may be feeling anxious or upset.

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