Last Updated: 27/07/2026
Signs of Stress and Anxiety in Cats (and How to Help)
Cats hide stress well, so the signs are easy to miss. This vet guide breaks down what to look for and the vet-recommended calming aids like Feliway that can help your cat feel secure again.
Author: Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Is your cat hiding more than usual, spraying where they shouldn't, or excessively scratching furniture? These are all common signs of anxiety in cats and if you’re seeing this in your cat, you're not alone. In one survey around 59% of cat owners noticed anxious behaviours in their cats.¹
Cats are experts at hiding how they feel, so stress often shows up as a change in behaviour before we realise anything is wrong. Left unchecked, it can impact not only their mental wellbeing but also their physical health.
The good news is there's a lot you can do. In this article, we'll cover how to spot signs of stress in your cat, what causes it, and ways to help, including vet-recommended calming solutions such as Feliway diffusers and sprays.
How can I tell if my cat is stressed?
Stress in cats isn’t always a simple change in behaviour. There may be physical changes too. Common signs of stress in cats include:
- Hiding away or withdrawing from the family
- Urine spraying or toileting outside the litter tray
- Over-grooming, sometimes to the point of missing fur and bald patches
- Conflict or fighting in multi-cat homes
- Excessive scratching of furniture and carpets
- Changes in appetite or unusual vocalising
Subtle signs owners often miss include a tense, crouched posture, flattened ears or a low, tucked tail, and less interest in play.
Some of these behaviours can be eased with clinically proven calming solutions such as Feliway with studies showing urine spraying was eliminated or reduced by more than half in 77% of cats,² and 83% of cats showed less scratching within 28 days.³
Is my cat stressed or sick?
Sometimes signs we put down to stress can actually be due to an underlying health condition. Spraying and poor toileting habits can point to a urinary problem such as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and over-grooming to skin allergies or pain. That’s why it’s important to consult a vet to rule out medical causes first.
What causes stress in cats?
Cats are creatures of habit, so stress is usually triggered by change or by feeling their territory isn't secure. Common causes include:
- A new pet, baby or person in the home
- Moving house, renovations or new furniture
- Tension between cats in the household
- Transport and vet visits
The Feliway Diffuser comforts and reassures cats, helping them adjust to changes like new people, a new baby, a new home or new furniture. Feliway Spray is ideal for situational use, helping reduce stress during car travel and vet visits. Feliway Friends Diffuser is designed for multi-cat homes to help reduce fighting between cats.
How to help: the stepwise plan
Step 1: Chat to your vet to rule out medical causes and get advice tailored to your cat.
Step 2: Set up a calm environment. Give your cat choices and a sense of control:
- Vertical space with cat trees and climbing shelves plus safe hiding spots
- At least one litter tray per cat, plus one extra. This means two cats need three litter trays, three cats need four, and so on.
- A predictable daily routine and regular play, especially with toys that invoke natural hunting behaviours like teaser toys.
Step 3: Add pheromones and calming products. Feliway is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone cats leave behind when they feel safe, sending a signal of reassurance. Use a Feliway Diffuser for general anxiety and changes at home, Feliway Friends for multi-cat households, and the Feliway Calming Spray for travel and vet visits. Most cats improve within 7 days, though it can take up to a month for full effect. Feliway is supported by a 30 day money back guarantee.
Step 4: Consider diet and supplements. Some calming diets and supplements contain scientifically backed ingredients such as alpha-casozepine, a natural milk protein. Happy Snack by Feliway is a tasty, lickable calming treat containing alpha-casozepine, perfect for providing comfort during stressful moments and ideal as a daily calming supplement that cats love!
Step 5: Ask about medication or a behaviourist. For severe or ongoing anxiety, your vet may suggest prescription medication.
Simple Changes for a Calmer Cat
Stress in cats is common, and because they hide it so well, the signs are easy to miss. Spotting the changes, ruling out medical causes with your vet, and building a calm, predictable environment are the foundations of a happier cat.
From there, vet-recommended calming tools can make a real difference. Explore the full range of Feliway calming products to help comfort and reassure your cat.
FAQs
References
- Grigg, E.K. & Kogan, L.R., 2019. Owners' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home. Animals, 9(11), 978.
- Ogata, N. & Takeuchi, Y., 2001. Clinical trial of a feline pheromone analogue for feline urine marking. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 63, pp.157–161.
- Pereira, J.S., Demirbas, Y.S., Meppiel, L., Endersby, S., da Graça Pereira, G. & De Jaeger, X., 2023. Efficacy of the FELIWAY Classic diffuser in reducing undesirable scratching in cats. PLoS ONE, 18(10), e0292188. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0292188.
Efficacy claims for Feliway are supported by studies 2 and 3 referenced above.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon Jul 27 2026
Written by Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)
Veterinarian
Dr Olivia graduated from Murdoch University in 2015 and worked in Western Australia before moving to Sydney to work in specialist practice as an avian and exotics veterinarian. Olivia has thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of species and interesting cases in her time as an exotics veterinarian. She has a particular soft spot for rabbits and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of rabbit medicine and surgery. She also has many years of experience working with dogs and cats as well as an array of wildlife.
