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Help for troubled tummies!

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Cat

Help for troubled tummies

Cat Constipation: Signs and Causes

Like people, cats can get constipated from time to time, and it’s not pleasant for us or them. It can be tricky to spot if your cat has a tummy upset or intestinal problem, especially if they go outside to go to the toilet, but there are usually some telltale signs you can look out for.

What is constipation?

Constipation is basically the opposite of diarrhoea. The poo gets dried out, hard and difficult to pass. This can be very uncomfortable and, if it goes on for some days, it can make cats feel really unwell and miserable.

Common causes of constipation in cats

Cats are usually pretty low-maintenance pets, but there are several things that can cause constipation. Let’s look at what those things might be and how to spot when it’s an issue.

Dehydration. Cats have evolved from ancestors that live in hot, desert-type places, so they’re very good at conserving the water in their bodies. This means they tend not to drink very much, which can lead to dehydration and dryer stools.

This is even more likely to happen in situations like a multi-cat house, where one cat might not have equal access to the food and water due to a resident bully. To make sure your cat stays hydrated, place several water bowls around the house so that they have water freely available wherever they are. At a minimum, ensure that there is one more water bowl than the number of cats in the home. 

Lots of cats are fed dry food for convenience these days, which can reduce their normal water intake. Feeding wet food, such as pouches and tins, is a great way to ensure your cat gets plenty of fluids. 

Swallowing hair. Cats love to groom and spend about 30-40% of their waking time tending to this important job. While some cats that ingest a lot of hair might vomit up a furball or two, some hair may go all the way through and clog up the other end.

Injuries and pain. Injuries such as pelvic fractures may physically narrow the passage where the large bowel sits, making it difficult for the cat to pass stools. Also, as cats get older and their joints get stiffer, they may find that squatting is painful. They might avoid going to the toilet as often, allowing the poo to dry out too much.

Tumours. Some tumours in the bowel area can block stools from passing through, either by pressing up against the bowel from the outside, or taking up space inside.

Nerve problems. The contents of the intestines are moved from one end to the other by waves of muscular contractions called peristalsis. It happens automatically, without us ever having to think about it. Some cats get nerve problems that might hinder this. Some breeds of cat, such as the Siamese, are more prone to this. It can cause something called megacolon, where the colon becomes very slack and dilated.

Other diseases. Some other diseases, such as kidney disease, can cause dehydration, which can then lead to constipation. 

Obesity and lack of exercise. Obesity and lack of exercise can cause constipation because exercise stimulates the bowel to move. 

How do you know when your cat is constipated?

It might not alway be easy to tell if your cat’s digestive system isn’t working the way it should. Vomiting and diarrhoea are obvious, but constipation can be much harder to spot.

Things to look out for:

  1. If your cat uses a litter tray, watch for changes in frequency and consistency. If you notice you suddenly don’t have to empty the tray as much, or if the stools seem different in size or appearance (hard or crumbly), it could be a sign that things are backing up.

  2. Watch for straining or vocalisation. If your cat seems to be crying out or spending ages in the tray without success, then you should see your vet as soon as possible. This could be a sign of constipation that needs addressing, but it can also be a sign of cystitis or a blocked bladder, which are medical emergencies.

  3. Watch for your cat pooing in the wrong place. If your cat is in pain or finding the litter tray difficult, or is reluctant to go outside to poop, they may be constipated.

  4. General malaise. Constipation makes cats feel pretty miserable, just like us. Sometimes, the only sign of your cat being constipated is that they seem off-colour. They may seem lethargic and uninterested in play or company.

Hopefully, your cat will sail through life with happy bowels, but if you’re ever concerned there might be a problem, always talk to your vet. They would much rather be on the safe side and catch a problem before it gets too bad. It might be that a simple change of food is needed to give your cat more fibre or more moisture, but if there is an underlying disease, the sooner you find out, the better.

Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Redirecting Chewing to Avoid Gut Obstructions

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Chewing

Redirecting Chewing to Avoid Gut Obstructions

“The first thing we need to understand about dogs is that chewing is a natural behaviour. Dogs need to chew as it is both mentally stimulating and a species specific behaviour” says Animal Behaviourist Nicole Nel.

But animals are vulnerable to risks when they unknowingly chew on hazardous objects which could lead to a gut obstruction. This could be life-threatening and is always a veterinary emergency.

It is our responsibility as their guardians to manage our pet’s environment so that they have safe outlets to perform their natural behaviours. From redirecting your pet to providing them with treats and toys that will satisfy their natural chewing instinct, here are some tips from our Animal Behaviourist:

Chewing

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From as little as R24.00 the SPCA Vet Shops offer a range of durable chew toys, interactive puzzles and treats that will provide hours of safe, stimulating entertainment for your pet. 

Chewing

Chewing

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Read more on the signs and symptoms of gut obstruction here 

If you’re concerned about your dog’s chewing or eating of inappropriate items (like stones) it is highly recommended to consult with your vet or veterinary behaviourist to rule out any underlying medical and health related concerns. 

Source: Cape of Good Hope SPCA 

How to avoid heat stress or overheating your dogs

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heat

How to avoid heat stress or overheating your dogs

Dogs cool themselves in hot temperatures by panting and drinking cool water. A dog cannot sweat through their skin like humans do. Their sweat glands are located on the pads of their paws. So instead, they pant to circulate cool air through their bodies and cool their internal temperatures. Drinking cool, fresh water helps to do this – and if there’s no access to water, they can quickly overheat, resulting in permanent brain damage and even death.

Whilst all animals are at risk from heat stress, those with dark, heavy coats and dogs with short noses such as Pugs, Pekinese and Boxers are most susceptible to heat.

Here is what you can do to help your pets on hot summer days:

  1. Ensure your pet always has access to fresh, clean water. Refill their bowls regularly, especially after play sessions or walks.
  2. Hot temperatures can cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke in pets. Limit exercise on particularly hot days and opt for early morning or evening walks when it’s cooler. Hot pavement/asphalt can burn your pet’s paws. Follow the seven-second rule: “Hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds and if it’s too hot for you, it’ll be too hot for your dog.” Provide Indoor Play: On extremely hot days, engage your pet in indoor activities like puzzle toys, hide-and-seek, or training exercises to keep them mentally stimulated without physical exertion.
  3. Ensure your pet has a shaded area to retreat to when outdoors. This could be under a tree, a canopy, or even a pet-friendly sunshade.
  4. Never Leave Pets in Cars: Even with the windows cracked, cars can quickly become ovens in the summer heat. A parked car, on a hot, summery day of 27 degrees Celsius, even with windows left slightly open “for air” can reach an internal temperature of almost 50 degrees Celsius – in just ten minutes! Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle.

heat

Symptoms of heat stress include:

  • Intense, rapid panting
  • Wide eyes
  • Salivating, staggering, weak and dark red gums and tongue
  • Respiratory distress or hyperventilation
  • Advanced heat stroke victims will collapse and become unconscious.
  • Depression
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting – sometimes with blood
  • Diarrhea
  • Shock
  • Coma

Should your pet show any signs of these symptoms, please immediately take him/her to the nearest veterinarian.

Source: Cape of Good Hope SPCA 

Dehydration in Cats & Dogs

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Dehydration

Dehydration in Cats & Dogs

Dehydration is a serious concern for both humans and our pets, particularly during the summer months. If your pet doesn’t drink enough water on a warm day, dehydration may set in quickly, so it’s important to know the cause, signs, how to treat it, and when to see your veterinarian.

What is dehydration, and what are the causes?
Dehydration is a condition that can affect any species of pet, and occurs when more fluid is lost from the body than is taken in. This may be caused by symptoms of disease such as vomiting and diarrhoea, chronic kidney disease, untreated diabetes mellitus or simply not having access to enough clean water.

Dehydration may be further associated with conditions such as heat stroke, as it also plays a role in maintaining normal body temperature in the heat.

It is therefore important to ensure that your pet always has access to fresh, cool water at all times.

Dehydration

Are certain animals prone to dehydration?
Although any cat or dog can become dehydrated, young (especially infants) and geriatric animals are more at risk. Additionally, any cat or dog that is older or nursing a litter is more prone to dehydration.

What are the signs & symptoms?
Depending on how dehydrated your pet is, and the cause of dehydration, symptoms of dehydration may include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy and/or weakness
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
  • Dark, concentrated urine
  • Excessive panting
  • Sunken eyes
  • Loss of skin elasticity and prolonged skin tenting
  • Very pale or bright red gums

If you’re worried that your pet isn’t drinking enough but isn’t showing any of the signs of dehydration mentioned above, they may be fine.

Wet pet food has a high water content, so it is possible they may be receiving enough daily water from their diet. However, if your pet suddenly stops drinking as much as usual, it’s best to speak to your veterinarian for advice.

How to prevent dehydration in cats & dogs
There are a number of ways you can help your pet to maintain an adequate water intake by ensuring your pet has access to fresh water at all times.

Bacterial prevention: fresh, clean drinking water
Both the food and water bowls need to be thoroughly cleaned once a day to prevent slime and bacteria from accumulating.

Placing the bowls out of direct sunlight will also help decrease the speed at which bacteria can grow and keep water cooler for longer.

Dehydration

Supply the right quantity of water for your pets
If you have more than one pet, use multiple water bowls so that each pet has their own water supply.

Take water on the go
If you plan to take your pet for a long walk, running or hiking, you should always carry a supply of water with you.

Schedule activities for when it is cooler
Try to avoid going out at the hottest times of the day around noon, and limit your pet’s activity levels at these times and during hotter days as far as possible. Early morning and late afternoon/early evening are better times to go out with your pet to avoid heat-related dehydration.

Cats: Location, location, location
Many cats do not like to drink water that is located anywhere near their food source. To ensure your cat is drinking enough, try placing their water somewhere else at home, such as in the bathroom or in a corner of the kitchen.

They can also be fussy about drinking from a bowl – if this seems to be the case, try using a large mug to sip their water from.

When to see a vet for dehydration in cats & dogs
If your pets are presenting any of the more severe symptoms mentioned above, seem to be in pain, are not eating, or are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhoea, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.

Source: Cape of Good Hope SPCA 

Coccidiosis – What you need to know

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Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis – What you need to know

Coccidia is a microscopic organism that lives in the intestines of a dog or other animal and causes a disease referred to as coccidiosis.

Though there are several types of coccidia, dogs with this condition are usually infected with Isospora canis. Infected dogs shed cysts containing the parasite in their stool. These cysts can survive in the environment for as long as a year. Other pets can become infected by swallowing the cysts from a contaminated environment, usually during grooming themselves.

Once inside the pet’s digestive tract, the cysts break open and the parasite enters an intestinal cell, where it reproduces. The cell eventually ruptures, releasing the parasites and damaging the intestinal lining.

The coccidia species that infect dogs don’t infect cats, and vice versa. However, the cysts in the feces from one dog can infect another dog, and the cysts in the feces from one cat may be infective to another cat. It’s very unlikely that a human will become infected with the species of coccidia that affect dogs and cats.

A high incidence of coccidiosis is seen in kennelled dogs, especially when they are housed under intensive conditions for a long time. Puppy mills and other busy breeding kennels are most often plagued by coccidiosis, so buyers are cautioned to investigate these facilities for signs of diarrhea.

Signs of coccidiosis include watery diarrhea that will often be tinged with blood or mucus. Pets with this condition may also experience vomiting, a loss of appetite and lethargy. Puppies and kittens can be severely affected, exhibiting dehydration, weight loss, and, in some cases, even death.

Older pets usually have milder signs. Some pets can show no signs at all while still shedding the parasite cysts in their feces.

A diagnosis of coccidiosis is made by identifying parasite cysts on a fecal exam. Any new pet being introduced into the home should have a fecal sample tested as soon as possible to diagnose coccidiosis or other intestinal parasite infections. Because some pets never show any signs, fecal tests during annual physical examinations are considered standard practice for all pets.

Several oral medications may be used to treat coccidiosis. Most pets will require daily treatment for 5 to 10 days, but some pets will have to be retreated if the infection isn’t resolved after the first or even second go-round. In multi-dog or multi-cat households, it’s a good idea to treat the other dogs and cats, respectively, to prevent reinfection from other pets that may carry the parasite but show no signs.

Pets (particularly puppies and kittens) with severe dehydration may need fluid therapy and hospitalization.

Since the cysts are often difficult to find on a fecal exam, veterinarians will sometimes treat pets if there’s a high suspicion of coccidiosis, even if no cysts are found in their stool.

Can it be prevented? Yes!

Preventing pets from being infected by coccidia cysts in the environment, washing his or her bedding and cleaning any kennel/heavily populated areas with an ammonia product should be a basic practice, especially if multiple dogs/cats share the area. Picking up and disposing of feces as soon as possible, and keeping pets from hunting rodents, if possible, are also considered fundamental preventive measures.

Source: English & French Bulldog Rescue SA – October 2024 Newsletter

Signs That Your Cat is Grieving & How You Can Help

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cat

Signs That Your Cat is Grieving & How You Can Help

Little attention is paid to the subject of grieving in cats, largely because they are often seen as independent animals that retain much of their ‘wild’ nature. But cats do exhibit behavioral changes after the loss of another cat and sometimes these can be difficult to understand.

When animals are closely bonded they are more likely to be upset by the loss of their companion. Even cats that constantly fight can grieve the loss of a feuding partner. While no-one will ever know if a cat understands death, they certainly know that a fellow housemate is missing and that something has changed in the house. The owner’s distress at the loss of a pet may also be communicated to the cat, adding to the confusion it may be feeling.

Signs of grief

There is really no way to predict how a cat is likely to behave when a companion is lost. Some cats seem completely unaffected and, indeed, a few may even seem to be positively happy when their housemate disappears. Others may stop eating and lose interest in their surroundings, simply sitting and staring; they seem to become depressed. A few cats undergo personality or behavioral changes when a companion is lost.

While there has been no major research on the subject of feline bereavement, a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that cats ate less, slept more and became more vocal after the death of a companion cat. But encouragingly, in the 160 households surveyed, all pets that lost a companion were behaving normally within six months.

How can we help?

There are a number of things you can do to help a grieving cat to overcome the loss. Minimising change gives the cat time to come to terms with the loss of a companion cat. Keep the cat ‘s routine the same. Changes in feeding times or even simply moving furniture around can cause further stress. A grieving cat may go off its food. A cat that goes off its food for several days is in danger of a potentially fatal liver disease called hepatic lipidosis. Encourage eating by warming food slightly or putting water or meat juice or it. Sit with your cat during meal times to provide reassurance. Don’t be tempted to change diets to stimulate appetite as this may cause digestive upsets. If the cat does not eat for three days seek veterinary advice.

Quality time

Spend more time with the cat grooming, stroking and playing. This will give a positive feel to any changes in the house that the cat senses. Don’t attempt to replace a lost cat immediately. While your remaining cat may be missing a long term companion, she is unlikely to welcome a stranger when she is still unsettled about the loss. A new cat at this time simply provides an extra source of stress. Like many species, time spent sniffing and nuzzling the dead body of their companion may be a necessary part of the grieving process. It can therefore be helpful to bring the body of a euthanised cat home rather than have it cremated at the vet’s. Whenever dramatic changes in behaviour occur, the cat should always be checked by a vet for any underlying physical problem. Unresolved behavioral problems can be referred onto animal behaviourists.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Pet Health checks at home can improve your pet’s life!

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Pet Health checks at home can improve your pet's life!

Health checks – Image by The Paw Company

Regular Health checks on our pets between Vet visits is a proactive tool for their well-being.
Our pets might get sick or injured and need veterinary care, but we can also add many tools to our toolbox, like health checks at home, to help prevent conditions from occurring in the first place or manage them better to allow our pets to live long and happy lives. Being informed and understanding what illnesses and conditions our pets might face is key to longevity. It is important to do regular health checks on your pets by inspecting their body from head to toe every week and making notes. 

I fully support annual or even bi-annual health checks at your vet, including blood work. Our pets age faster than we do, so their bodies are rapidly changing. When they reach their senior years, a health check is recommended every six months instead of annually to ensure the detection of illnesses and make them easier to treat. Between visits, you can keep a close eye on your pet’s health by conducting an at-home physical exam (demo video). Physical “inspection” touch regularly with some positive re-enforcement can also help make that vet visits more comfortable.

HEALTH CHECK-LIST

  • Behaviour
  • Body condition
  • Skin & coat
  • Eyes & ears
  • Nails & paws
  • Nose & mouth
  • Stool check
  • Vitals (heart rate, breathing, body temperature etc.)
  • Weigh your pet and review their diet

BODY
This is an overall examination of your pet by feeling around the body, limbs and tail for any potential problems. When you feel over your pet’s body, you should be able to feel their ribs, but it should not be sticking out or under a large layer of fat.  Feel for lumps, bumps or injuries.  You can also observe their body language and whether they appear lethargic, depressed or in pain.  Body language can tell you a great deal about how they are feeling.

TEETH
You can lift their lips and have a good look at their teeth and gums. Check for:

  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Sores or mouth and tongue injuries
  • Red and swollen gums
  • Stinky breath
  • Bloody gums
  • Tartar or plaque build-up

COAT & SKIN
Feel over your pet’s fur and skin and look at its appearance. Check for:

  • Tick or fleas
  • Dull and hard or thinning coat
  • Skin lesions, sores, red patches, itchiness, bald patches or scabs

EARS
Their ears should be clean with no foul smells coming from the ear.  Check for:

  • Shaking head or holding the head tilted to one side
  • Rubbing ears against objects like furniture
  • Abnormal earwax other than yellow/brownish
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Ear mites

NOSE
A wet nose is normal, but a dry nose might not be totally abnormal. Check for:

  • Crusting
  • Discharge
  • Wheezing sounds
  • Cracking of the skin

EYES
Eyes should be bright and clear.  Check for:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Abnormal blinking
  • Inflamed or swollen eyelids
  • White spots in the eyes
  • Any debris or objects
  • Puss or discharge

BATHROOM HABITS
Although what your pet eats and drinks can influence the appearance of the faeces, their stool can give an indication of their general health.  I do almost daily poop-patrol so I can pick up if something is wrong. It should be looked at within context and not as a diagnostic tool on its own. Check for:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Blood or mucus
  • Signs of worms
  • The urine should be clear, yellow with no blood

Watch this video for more on what their poop might mean.

RED FLAG SYMPTOMS
The following are red flag symptoms that should never be ignored.  Consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

  • Fainting, collapsing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Trouble urinating
  • Pacing, restlessness, unproductive retching
  • Lethargy, extreme fatigue
  • Bloody diarrhoea, urine, vomit
  • Loss of appetite, weight loss
  • Coughing
  • Fever
  • Red eye(s)
Pet Health checks at home can improve your pet's life!

Health checks red flag symptoms – Image by Dr. Karen Becker

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR PETS HEALTH?
Three pillars that form the foundation for your pet’s health, quality of life and longevity include:

  1. Species-appropriate nutrition
  2. A balanced, functional immune system
  3. A sound, resilient frame

Small changes make a huge difference to your pet’s life, and they are easy to do. Here are a few simple tips:

  • Keep your pet’s weight maintained and feed a balanced, nutritious and species-appropriate diet.
  • Do weekly health checks.
  • Regular grooming, nail trims and claw care, especially for older pets.
  • Exercise at the pace set by your pet.
  • Keeping on top of vaccination, tick, flea and worm treatments. Work with a veterinarian who titers rather than just re-vaccinates.

Important note: Please make sure that your vet and their staff are actually qualified.  Just because they wear scrubs does not make them qualified! Do your homework well. Asking animal welfare organizations which vets they trust is a good start! If you are aware of any staff performing veterinary work without being registered at the SA Veterinary Council, please report this to The Paw Company or the SAVC.

Your pets are your responsibility and withholding necessary medical care, is considered neglect and a case of animal cruelty can be opened against you. Please report any neglect or suspected cruelty to your nearest SPCA or the NSPCA. Don’t ask advice from unqualified people on the internet or Dr. Google. We have seen some terrible advice being dished out which could endanger your pet. 

Do regular health checks on your pet and when in doubt, always go to your trusted vet! By helping your pet lead a healthy lifestyle and seeking proactive preventive veterinary care, you can minimize healthcare costs while maximizing longevity.

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Cat Anxiety: Understanding Your Stressed Cat

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Cat Anxiety: Understanding Your Stressed Cat

You may tease someone for being a “scaredy-cat” or even get a chuckle when something startles your kitty and makes her jump. But a fearful, anxious cat is no joke. Cat anxiety can be a serious problem, especially if left untreated. If you think you might be dealing with a stressed cat, keep reading in order to understand what’s going on with your kitty and how you can help her.

Cat Anxiety Explained

Cat Anxiety: Understanding Your Stressed Cat

Cats experience anxiety when they anticipate danger from “unknown or imagined origins that result in normal body reactions … associated with fear,” explains PetMD. In other words, an anxious cat appears chronically stressed and afraid for no obvious reason. However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a reason. It simply means that it may take some time and investigation to determine the cause.

Potential causes that may result in a stressed cat are wide and varied. Cat anxiety may be caused by pain or illness, exposure to something toxic or infectious diseases that affect the nervous system. A psychological trigger may be to blame, like a traumatic experience, lack of proper socialization or a history of abuse or neglect. An aging brain can also cause anxiety, especially in senior cats experiencing memory problems or dementia. Joint pain in older cats can also be a source of anxious behaviors, such as hiding or failing to use the litter box. Other potential causes of cat anxiety can include new or moved furniture, new pet or baby in the home, or even a new home.

One of the most common forms of cat anxiety is separation anxiety, in which your cat becomes anxious and stressed when you leave her sight or she’s left home alone. This is especially prevalent among cats with a history of abandonment or who have been rehomed or passed from owner to owner, according to PetMD.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), characterized by exaggerated, repetitive behaviors, can also affect cats. Causes of OCD in cats aren’t really known, and as such it’s generally characterized as a mental disorder, although it can be initiated by stress, says PetMD. Pet parents may unwittingly reinforce OCD behaviors by trying to soothe their cats or giving them attention while they’re doing the unwanted behavior. It should also be noted that some breeds are genetically predisposed to certain obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Siamese and other Asian breeds are particularly known for these types of behaviors.

So how can you tell if you have an anxious cat?

Watch for the Signs
An anxious kitty isn’t too difficult to spot. PetMD identifies the following signs and symptoms of general cat anxiety:

  • Trembling
  • Withdrawal and hiding
  • Becoming less active
  • Trying to escape
  • Destructive or aggressive behavior
  • Diarrhea
  • Failure to use the litter box
  • Sores and lesions resulting from over-grooming

Other symptoms include a loss or reduction of appetite, weight loss, excessive vocalization, lethargy and restlessness, says PetMD. OCD can be identified by excessive, repetitive behaviors such as eating, sucking or chewing on fabric, obsessive grooming, repetitive meowing or yowling, and constant pacing. In a case of separation anxiety, your cat will likely be fine as long as you’re around, but may begin acting anxious when she can sense that you’re about to leave.

Helping Your Stressed Cat
The first thing you need to know in order to help your anxious cat is that you should never punish or scold her for her anxious behavior. This will only increase negative associations and fear and make things worse instead of better. The goal should be to help her feel safe and relaxed in her surroundings.

Cat Anxiety: Understanding Your Stressed Cat

Once you’ve identified anxious behaviors in your cat, the first step is to make an appointment with your veterinarian to either diagnose or rule out any underlying health issues or toxins that might be causing your kitty stress. Because cats tend to hide their pain, this is not something that is likely to be obvious, and may require a thorough series of blood panels and other tests. If it turns out that your cat is suffering from pain or a medical issue, treating the issue may be all that’s required to eliminate the anxious behavior and help your kitty get back to her normal self.

On the other hand, if your vet rules out a physical problem as the cause, this may mean that the issue is psychological. If this is the case, your vet should be able to advise you on a course of treatment.

In addition to prescribing anti-anxiety medication to help keep your kitty calm, your vet may recommend a trainer or animal behaviorist who can help both you and your cat through behavioral conditioning and counter-conditioning. Behavioral conditioning involves identifying fear triggers in your kitty’s life and either desensitizing her to these triggers through repeated, safe exposure, or removing them from her environment. Counter-conditioning, which is similar, involves training your cat to replace a negative behavior with a positive one, while forming positive associations with the new behavior. For example, if your cat is anxious when she can sense you’re about to leave, train her to go lie down and reward her when she does with a treat or a favorite toy. In time, she’ll associate your leaving with this positive reward and learn to be okay with it. The overall goal of this training and conditioning is to teach your cat that she’s safe and that it’s okay to relax.

If Left Untreated
Untreated anxiety won’t get better on its own, and will likely become worse over time, with undesirable behaviors becoming more pronounced. Just as with humans, chronic stress can have a physiological effect on your kitty’s health. If it persists, it could compromise her immune system and make her more vulnerable to illness, which will, in turn, compound her stress. She could also develop severe depression on top of the anxiety, all of which could lead to additional behavior problems. It’s not only in your cat’s best interest but also in the interest of having a peaceful home, to intervene with your cat’s anxiety as quickly as possible.

If you think your cat is suffering from anxiety, take heart. With love, patience and willingness to do your part to help, your cat has an excellent chance of making a full recovery and returning to her healthier, happier self.

Source: Hills

Website: www.hillspet.co.za

Written by: Jean Marie Bauhaus

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