Intelligent and astute, cats often use very subtle signals to indicate their discomfort.
A happy, relaxed cat will usually hold their tail high, approaching for attention with a head rub or a purr. Changes in sleeping pattern or withdrawing from social contact may suggest they feel stressed and unsettled.
Four causes of stress
Amanda Campion has been a feline behaviourist for over three decades, regularly stepping in to help owners better understand their pets.
Sharing her thoughts to TikTok, she explained what can cause stress, without us humans knowing we're doing it.
Forced affection
In her video, the expert explained that consent is essential when it comes to building a trusting relationship with your cat. Forced affection can cause unnecessary stress, which may make your cat reluctant to approach in the future.
Dirty spaces
Cats are naturally incredibly clean creatures, who become very stressed by dirty litter boxes.
Cats also enjoy a safe space - somewhere up high they can take themselves off to when they need some peace and quiet.
Loud noises
Loud noises, such as the television or vacuum cleaner, can be stressful to cats because of their incredibly sensitive hearing.
Inconsistency
As creatures of habit, cats feel most comfortable when they know what to expect.
Sudden disruptions to your pet's routine can cause upset and anxiety.
Guidance from an expert
"Tag a cat parent", who needs to hear this, suggests Amanda.
Her hope is that by sharing the information far and wide, owners across the UK will be able to make small adjustments to ensure their cats are feeling as happy and relaxed as possible.
