Cats are creatures of habit so any changes in routine can be upsetting to them.
Courtesy of Marin Humane

The dictionary defines stress as “a specific response by the body to a stimulus, such as fear or pain, which disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.” When Fluffy the cat is confronted by what he perceives as a “stressor” or a potential threat, his body goes into a “fight or flight” reaction. If the stressor continues, he’ll either act out toward his environment — for example, toward you, a family member, another pet or the carpet — or toward himself, such as licking excessively or becoming ill or depressed.

For felines to be happy, a guardian must satisfy their basic needs: food, water, a clean litter box, warm places to sleep, and companionship. And most important, all of these must be free from stress.

Distressing behaviors

Urinating outside the box, spraying, biting or scratching are the kinds of “acting out” behaviors that bring cat guardians to behavior consultations. Of course, if a cat is ill or injured, no amount of behavior modification will be effective so the first step is to receive a clean bill of health from a veterinarian. Once physical troubles are taken out of the picture, you can look for triggers in the environment.

Cats are creatures of habit so any changes in routine can be upsetting to them. A new baby or pet, strange people, home improvement projects, or an unknown noise or animal outside, can all stress a cat.

It’s best to address such environmental stressors with a behavior consultant. You can then turn to other ways to help make Fluffy feel loved and safe, such as triple-checking that all his needs are being met.


Your cat needs a high-quality kibble and/or wet food, which are generally sold at pet food stores. Cats are true carnivores; they don’t eat grain or carbohydrates in the wild. The first few ingredients of their food should be meat. Wet food is about 70 percent water, as is the natural food of cats – mice and gophers – so it’s more species-appropriate for them. Wet food is particularly important for male cats, who may be prone to urinary tract blockages.


Plentiful, fresh water is important and many prefer their water straight from the tap. If this is true of yours, you may want to try a cat drinking fountain. Make sure you change the water frequently and take apart and clean the entire fountain regularly.

Clean litter box

No one likes a smelly potty and a cat’s nose is far more sensitive than ours. Most cats prefer unscented, clumping litter (though clumping litter is not safe for kittens). Scoop at least daily; twice is preferable. Also consider the location of the box. A high-traffic location will not do as cats feel vulnerable when going potty.

Warm places to sleep

Cats enjoy a warm sunbeam. When toasty and comfortable, cats tend to relax and groom. And, like yoga, grooming increasing blood flow to all body parts. Make sure they have a safe, comfortable place to escape any stressors they might face elsewhere in the house. Many cats like to perch up high so you might want to invest in a tiered “kitty condo” unit.

Time with you

Fluffy wants to be with you, even though his body language may sometimes say otherwise. He’s a social creature so you are one of his best stress-busters! By adhering to a regular feeding schedule, providing him with regular daily play time, and giving him lots of love and cuddling, your kitty should be able to face changes more successfully and peacefully.

Beth Weil is the feline behavior coordinator for Marin Humane which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to,, or email