Can a Cat Be Scared to Death? Understanding Stress

1 Can Stress Actually Kill a Cat?

What is a cat’s stress response

Stress is the body’s whole-system reaction to outside stimuli. When a cat meets a stimulus or pressure, it reacts at once and gradually adapts to the new setting; if it can’t adapt, it may turn physically or mentally abnormal — more hormones, higher blood sugar and pressure, and in severe cases other diseases.

Stress does real harm:

One: the gut shows on-and-off diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, lost appetite.

Two: males face higher risk of idiopathic cystitis.

Three: females may become infertile, abort, or bear low-weight, weak kittens.

Four: respiratory and even heart disease rates rise sharply.

Five: immune function drops.

Stress itself isn’t a disease, but it touches the nerves, endocrine, and immune systems and lights the fuse for illness.

Common stress triggers:

1. Strange places — a new home, the animal hospital, a boarding facility, a new cat member.

2. Unexplained thunder or firecrackers.

3. New people arriving, or a changed room layout.

4. Threatened territory, food stolen by other animals, or the owner going on trip.

How to lower stress at the clinic:

One: bring a blanket or wrap with the cat’s familiar smell.

Two: visit hospitalized cats often; use their own familiar bedding, bowl, and water dish.

Three: for shots, avoid harsh drugs (very painful ones) and limit forced oral dosing.

Four: the clinic can keep calming sprays on hand, like Virbac’s Feliway.