Does your kitty seem moody, or seem to raise a fuss at the most unexpected times? A stressed-out cat can be indicative of several things. Your cat may be suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition, may be reacting to a new environment or new pet, or may simply be craving attention. The majority of kitty stress can be alleviated greatly by treating your cat to a little TLC and pampering. Here are a few tips for keeping your cat healthy, happy, and stress-free.
1. Play with your cat regularly. Although it may sound simple enough, many times what your cat is really craving is just a bit of attention, fresh air, and exercise. If your cat is leash-trained, take her for a walk. Especially if your cat is kept indoor at all times, you should make the effort to play with her outside on a regular basis. Playing with your cat regularly is not only good for her health; you will likely notice a marked improvement in her emotional health, as well.
2. Make your cat a fun new toy. Pampering your cat effectively doesn't necessarily require you to spend a lot of money on cat toys and accessories. Simply spending ample time playing with her and caring for her properly is enough. We've all probably had the experience of buying our pet a shiny new toy, only to have him or her promptly ignore it, in favor of an old sock or cardboard box.
One popular and easy to make cat toy is a tissue paper box toy. Simply find an empty tissue box and drop a few rubber, ping-pong, or tennis balls inside. Your cat will delight in pawing at the box, and making the balls click and clack against each other.
3. Give your cat the spa treatment. What cat doesn't like to be pampered luxuriously? You can take your cat to one of the many pet spa centers that seem to be popping up. Or better yet, you can give your cat the spa treatment of home. Not only does this save you money, this will allow you to spend precious time with your cat. This bonding time is essential for building a loving relationship between you and your cat, and helping reduce stress in your cat.
To give your cat a simple massage, use your hand to slowly glide down the length of your cat's body. As you move your hand down your cat's body, very gently give your cat's soft tissues a slow rub down. When your cat seems relaxed, use your thumb and forefinger to slowly and gently massage the length of your cat's spine.
You can also give your cat a sauna experience as part of her spa treatment. Find a thick, clean towel and spray it with cool water. Once the towel is moist, place it in the dryer for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. When the towel is nice and warm, wrap it around your cat gently. The warm, damp towel will help aid blood circulation, increase her joint flexibility, and help reduce stress and aid relaxation.
4. Put on a little mood music. Some animal behaviorists believe that the right kind of music has the ability to aid relaxation in cats. If you have a cat that bolts from the room whenever loud music is playing, or when the TV is blaring on high, you have probably witnessed the effects of sound on cats. With their keen ability to capture sound, it seems logical that playing relaxing music for your cat will help them relax. There is several music compilations aimed to help cats relax. Use your best judgment when choosing music for your cat—anything that sounds too raucous to you will probably have the same effect on your cat.
5. If playing with your cat doesn't seem to lift them out of their mood, let your cat bask in solitude for a while. Sometimes, even the friendliest cat can benefit from being left alone to bask in their solitude. Cats are notoriously solitary creatures that love to explore on their own and take luxurious naps. If your cat seems mildly stressed, and playing with her doesn't seem to lift her out of her mood, leave her alone for a while. Like humans, cats need alone time to recharge. Chances are your cat will feel better after an afternoon alone napping and resting on its own.
