Holiday Care For Anxious Cats

The holidays are coming up. This can be a stressful time for Fluffy! While some kitties won’t bother getting out of their beds if you have a house full of guests, others get extremely stressed out by change and commotion. We can help! A Brampton, ON vet offers tips on caring for a scaredy cat around the holidays below.

Veterinary Care

Our feline buddies often act skittish or timid if they don’t feel well. If Fluffy hasn’t had a thorough exam recently, get that scheduled ASAP. For cats with persistent anxiety issues, consider asking about our Veterinary Behavior Counseling services.

Make Time To Play

Playing can benefit your cute pet in many ways. For one thing, it will allow Fluffy to burn off any nervous energy she has. It’s also a healthy and appropriate way for her to unleash any anger or angst she feels. (Think of this as a kitty version of hitting a punching bag.) Plus, timing those tricky pounces can be a great confidence booster.

Offer Hiding Spots

Like most other living beings, Fluffy is hardwired with a fight-or-flight mechanism. Nervous cats will usually choose flight. Make sure your feline friend has a safe place to retreat to in every room. This can be a kitty condo, a spot under a bed or sofa, or even a paper grocery bag with the handles cut off.

Don’t Force Attention

One thing that is very important is building trust. The key is always to let your kitty decide when cuddle time starts and stops. Don’t pick your furry pal up against her will, and don’t pet or hold Fluffy if she isn’t comfortable. Ask guests—particularly children—to do the same.

Calming Products

If your kitty seems extremely distressed, ask your vet about using pet-calming pheromones. These can be very helpful!

Holiday Treats

Don’t forget to do something special for your kitty around the holidays. Things like toys, treats, catnip, furniture, and new beds may all help Fluffy feel loved and safe. For more ideas, check out our guide on Holiday Gifts For Fluffy.

Give Fluffy Time

If you’ve just adopted your furry buddy, she may just still be settling in. Cats that are recovering from illness, injury, or trauma may also need time. You can’t hurry love!

Let Fluffy Be Fluffy

At the end of the day, your feline pal may just be naturally shy. As long as she is happy and healthy, that’s purrfectly fine.

Do you have questions about cat care? Contact us, your Springdale, ON pet clinic, today!