Anxiety in Cats: Learn the Common Symptoms and What You Can Do About It

Unlike humans, cats can't express their feelings in words. And since they can't tell you how they're feeling, they do their best to show you. So anxiety in cats often presents itself through changes in their behavior or physical symptoms. Recognizing these signs is key to helping your feline friend feel more comfortable and secure.

If you suspect your cat may be experiencing anxiety, seek advice from a veterinarian. Identifying and addressing the root cause of anxiety is the first step toward providing your cat with the care and support they need.

Signs of anxiety in cats

So, what exactly are the signs of anxiety in cats? Every cat is different, but the following are the most common signs.

1. Changes in body language

A cat’s body language will often be the clearest sign they’re feeling anxious, according to Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant and the founder of Class Act Cats. Cats might try to make themselves less visible or seem larger to a potential threat.

Cats may:

• Pull their ears back

• Curl their tail in

• Try to make themselves look smaller

• Puff out their fur (especially their tail)

• Move their tail around rapidly so they appear more threatening

2. Hiding more often

Your cat may start withdrawing, hiding, or spending time alone more than usual. For example, your cat may spend more time sleeping under the bed or in a closet. 

"While this may not seem like a good thing, it’s actually OK to let them hide," Lusvardi said. "They’ll feel more secure being someplace that they can get away from the source of fear." 

The only caveat? Make sure you can still reach your cat should you need to evacuate in an emergency. "Blocking off under the bed, as an example, while still giving your cat somewhere else to hide is a good balance," Lusvardi said.

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3. Increased aggression

Anxiety can present as aggression or impatience. This can make your cat lash out (hiss, bite, or scratch) more than usual. This includes redirected aggression — your cat might start fighting with other pets in the house.

"The goal is to keep themselves safe, so they are trying to fend off and/or escape from a possible threat," Lusvardi said.

4. Staring 

Staring is another behavior you'll see in anxious cats. This may seem like curiosity, but they really want to keep an eye on possible threats, Lusvardi said.

5. Changes in grooming habits

Just like with humans, grooming can fall to the wayside when your cat isn't feeling their best. This can present as undergrooming or overgrooming.

If your cat is undergrooming, you'll notice messy, unkempt, and/or matted fur. Your cat may also feel greasy or have dry skin. 

If your cat is overgrooming, you'll notice them excessively licking themselves or biting their fur. Eventually, this can progress to: 

• Hair loss

• Bald patches

• Skin sores

• Inflamed skin

6. More destructive behaviors

An anxious cat may also be more destructive. While it may seem like your cat is acting out, destructive behaviors are really an attempt to self-soothe. If your cat is anxious, they might:

• Scratch furniture

• Chew on things (such as cords or plants)

• Knock things over

7. Not using the litter box

An anxious cat may have litter box issues or not use the litter box at all. Your cat may start urinating (marking) or pooping outside of the litter box in inappropriate places, such as on furniture or in piles of clothes.

8. Changes in sleeping patterns

An anxious cat might start sleeping less or spend more time napping. 

Cats naturally sleep most of the day (a healthy cat can sleep up to 18 hours per day), but stress and anxiety can prevent your cat from settling in for a restful nap. They might be restless or jumpy, or pace around the house instead of sleeping when they normally would.

You may also notice your cat sleeping more than usual. Sleeping can be a way for your cat to escape stress or overwhelm, so when they're anxious, they might spend less time awake.

9. Other physical symptoms

Just like with humans, anxiety in cats can also present as physical symptoms, such as:

• Changes in appetite

• Dilated pupils

• Trembling or shaking

• Panting

• Restlessness or hyperactivity

• Rapid heart rate

• More vocalizations (more meowing or whining, with no apparent reason)

If you notice physical symptoms, it's a good idea to check in with your cat’s veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.

Common causes of anxiety in cats

Now that you know how an anxious cat looks and acts, the next question is: What's causing the anxiety?

Cats are naturally anxious creatures. "Cats are a prey animal, so anything that could be threatening to them or they associate with a threat is going to cause anxiety," Lusvardi said.

That said, some of the most common reasons for anxiety in cats are:

Environmental changes

Moving to a new home, rearranging furniture, and/or remodeling can all trigger anxiety in your cat.

Unfamilar smells

Smell is very important to cats, so changes to the scent of their territory can be a challenge, Lusvardi said. Look out for unexpected sources of smells that can lead to anxiety, as well. For example, your indoor cat may smell an outdoor feral cat.

New family members

New people or animals in the home can be uncomfortable for a cat and trigger their anxiety. Other cats, especially, can be another common source of anxiety. 

While cats can get along with other cats (or dogs), a slow introduction is important. This helps your cats get used to each other and reduces the likelihood they’ll see each other as a threat.

Changes in routine

Cats are creatures of habit, and any changes in their normal routine can contribute to stress and anxiety.

Boredom

Cats have natural hunting instincts and need a lot of enrichment and physical stimulation. If they don't get it, they can get bored or understimulated, which can present as anxious behaviors.

Lack of personal space

If your cat doesn't have their own space to chill out, or if there are too many people or pets in the house, it can lead to anxiety.

Health issues

Anxiety can also stem from physical health issues, such as:

• Urinary tract infections

• Dental disease

• Hormonal imbalances

Certain situations

Your cat may have anxiety related to certain situations. Common situational stressors for cats include:

• Travel

• Veterinarian visits

• Separation from their owner

How to manage cat anxiety

If your cat has signs of anxiety, the first thing you should do is contact your veterinarian. They can do a medical exam to check for any underlying health issues that may be causing the anxiety. 

Once health issues have been ruled out, you can focus on stress management to try to reduce anxiety in your cat. Here are some things you can try.

Don't punish your cat

First and foremost, you want to keep interactions positive and predictable, Lusvardi said.

"If you are sometimes fun and sometimes use a spray bottle on your cat, they don’t know what to expect and when. Will you be scary today, or will you be giving them a treat?" he said. 

Instead, focus on being a source of comfort and encouraging behaviors you want your cat to do.

Focus on feline enrichment

Give your cat plenty of places to climb, scratch, hide, and lounge. "Having cat stuff spread out [throughout the home] and multiple of each resource helps them feel like they always have access to things that help them meet their basic needs," Lusvardi said.

Create a calm environment

If your cat is anxious and overwhelmed, a "safe space" can do wonders for them. Set up a comfortable spot in a quiet part of the home — with a cat bed, cat tower, and toys — that's away from kids and other pets.

Stick to a schedule

Cats like predictability. Try to stick to a regular schedule with dedicated feeding and play times every day.

Play with them more

Lots of people think cats are low maintenance and don't require interaction. But they need a fair amount of play and activity to stay happy. Have regular interactive play sessions, about 10 to 15 minutes two times a day. Use feather wands, laser pointers, or other interactive toys to keep your cat engaged.

Use pheromone diffusers

Pheromones are chemical signals that animals release to communicate with each other. Pheromone diffusers can create a sense of safety and alleviate anxiety.

Consider medication

If behavioral and environmental modifications aren't working, you may want to consider anti-anxiety medications. Ask your veterinarian if this is a good option for your cat. Depending on your cat’s anxiety, medications can be taken daily or just in certain situations.

Anxiety medications for cats include:

• Gabapentin

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Alprazolam (Xanax)

• Amitriptyline

• Clomipramine

• Buspirone (BuSpar)

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Written by:

Lindsay Boyers, CHNC

Lindsay Boyers, CHNC, is a functional nutritionist, licensed esthetician, writer, and editor with over a decade of experience in evidence-based health, wellness, and skincare writing.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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