Keeping Your Cat Stress Free Over Hari Raya
With Hari Raya around the corner it’s important that we look after our cats. Cats in particular are extremely susceptible to stress-related illnesses. Felines who are subjected to loud noises, unfamiliar houseguests, boarding, diet changes and travel frequently develop serious urinary tract problems.
Having a lot of visitors around stresses a cat, even if your cat knows them all. If the company gets to be too much, put your cat in a warm, quiet room with fresh water, litter, and a favorite toy and blanket; and be sure it has several of its safe hideaways or familiar beds around. Remind your visitors that kitty’s room is off-limits to visitors, especially if you have children visiting. Children can be unnecessarily clingy and rough with pets, especially pets that aren’t their own. Please keep careful watch of how guests (especially children) interact with your cats.
Plants and Decorations
Beware when you bring festive plants into your home, many of these might be poisonous to animals. It’s better to either not get poisonous plants at all or keep them out on a porch where the cat does not go. Be wary of putting aspirin or other life-extending chemicals into your plants as well!
Safe Spaces
You can reduce your cat’s anxiety by making sure that it has places to go that are out of the path of activity, and where your cat can keep track of what’s going on but still feel protected. This is why a lot of cats like to sleep on chairs that are tucked under tables and—if they can reach it—the top of the refrigerator.
At the same time, you wouldn’t want your cat to spend its life under your bed, either. Investing in a cat tree (the higher, the better) can help. I’ll admit they take up a good amount of space, but that’s exactly what you’re creating for your stressed-out kitty, right?
Place the cat tree in an out-of-the-way corner or near a window, whichever your cat prefers. Just make sure that when your cat is on the tree, you leave them alone so they come to associate that spot with calm and safety. Alternately, your cat might also appreciate a simple cat cave to hide into, away from all the ruckus.
Litterbox Access
Ensure your cat can access their litterbox without having to travel from their favourite sleeping spot through swarms of potentially intimidating guests. Cats may leave embarrassing deposits in other areas of your home if they’re afraid to access the litter box.
Food and Water
If your cat usually eats in the kitchen or any high-traffic area in the home, consider moving their dishes away from guests. Cats can be very particular with their food and water. Familiarize your cat with her new temporary food and water location prior to guests arriving.
Enrichment
Offering your kitty enrichment activities such as puzzle feeders, treat balls, and discovery toys can help relieve stress. Scratching surfaces give kitty a way to work out excess nervous energy too!
Catnip
For cats, owners may want to try soft music or white noise to drown out the louder festivities or give the cat something to distract, like a toy or catnip. This may come as a bit of a surprise, since most of us tend to think of catnip as a stimulant, not a relaxant.
While it’s true that many cats respond to catnip by getting high and going crazy, that effect is usually short-lived. What we don’t notice is how quickly most cats settle down for a recovery nap when the high wears off.
You can use that natural exhaustion to your advantage if you know you have to do something with your cat that it finds stressful. Just give your cat a dose of catnip about 15 to 30 minutes before you need your kitty to calm down. They’ll end up naturally running off a lot of the energy they would use to fight against the stressful experience.
During this festive season, we may all suffer from “grandma syndrome,” expressing love by feeding our cats too much treats. A tiny raya tidbit isn’t likely to harm them, but the problem arises when you overdo it. Sometimes multiple well-meaning guests sneak food to your cat when you’re not looking, so they are getting far more than you think. Or maybe it’s sneaky dumpster diving or counter surfing. Most important, eating fat or skin can lead to a dangerous and painful inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis. Swallowing bones may also be life threatening, causing an obstruction requiring emergency surgery.
Keep an eye out for signs of stress in your cat. Watch for hiding, increased vocalization, accidents in the house, increased grooming, flattened ears, tense body, heavy panting, increased reactivity, and fear aggression or other changes of behavior.
It is easy to get caught up in the festivities, but don't forget to spend time with your kitty, regardless of schedule or weather. Keep to their daily routine. They need stimulation and exercise too. Spending time playing will help decrease stress levels in you and your cat. A little advance preparation will make a big difference in your cat’s stress level and make it a happy Raya for all! :)