Routine can help ease troubling stress on felines

A new baby, moving to a different house, having relatives visit. These are all life stressors for us, but they’re even more so for some indoor cats. Disruptions such as an owner’s new work schedule or a home renovation are drastic changes in routine that can disturb even the most serene of felines. Cats have a natural “fight-or-flight” response to stressful events. However, cats with feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), a severe lower urinary tract disorder, have a problem with their nervous system that causes their bodies to become hyper-responsive to stress. One thing that is seen, and smelled, is that the cat might start having “accidents” outside the litter box. The presence of blood in the urine, frequent attempts to urinate, or pain while urinating are also signs of stress-triggered FIC. “Owners may take these behaviors as signs that their cat is angry with them, but cats are not spiteful,” emphasizes Dr. Tony Buffington, a veterinarian and specialist in feline urinary disorders at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Their reaction is actually a plea for help.” Urinary tract problems afflict approximately 1.5 percent of cats who are seen by veterinarians. In two out of three cases, the cause of these symptoms is not known but seem to be related to FIC, says Buffington. While stress does not cause the disease, it seems to trigger FIC episodes. Interstitial cystitis also occurs in humans, whose symptoms generally include pelvic pain and urinary frequency and urgency. The signs of FIC are: “ Frequent urination with small amount of urine actually being passed. “ Blood in the urine. “ Urinating in places other than the litterbox. “ Discomfort while urinating (meowing or crying). “ Hiding. “ In males, the urinary tract may become blocked, requiring immediate veterinary care. Feline IC is a serious disease. If untreated, the disorder can worsen, with many cats being put to sleep in the veterinarian’s office. According to veterinary researchers, 3 million indoor cats are turned over each year to animal shelters by frustrated owners unable to cope with their cat’s urinary problems, some of them caused by FIC. Medications can help but, according to Buffington, the first thing owners need to do is to make changes in their cat’s environment. In fact, Buffington’s research suggests that FIC can be avoided or reduced if cat owners create a cat-friendly environment in the home. Routine feeding times, regular play, and safe perches are just a few basic steps indoor cat owners can take to prevent, reduce and manage their cat’s uncontrolled urination, he says. “We may not realize how sensitive our cat is to something as simple as moving furniture around the room or having company over for dinner,” Buffington says. “Cats are creatures of habit, and they depend on us to keep their surroundings stable and safe.” What are the things that can “stress out” cats? There are many potential stressors, depending upon the cat’s personality, but most of them involve some change in routine. I’ve heard it said that the only person who likes change is a 6-month-old baby with a messy diaper. I do know that cat’s DON’T like change! Some of the changes that can upset a sensitive indoor cat are additions or subtractions to the household (either human or animals), a change in the owner’s work pattern, or even that outdoor cats that might be fighting within earshot. By being aware of these possible stressors, you can predict and often prevent episodes of IC. But for a cat that is optimally healthy and happy, preventing stress is not enough. We need to let them express their genetic exuberance to observe, stalk, pounce and socialize. Outdoor cats hunt for food, hide from predators (often by climbing), and defend their home territories. Among indoor cats, these natural behaviors may look like biting and scratching, climbing, and marking. Here are Buffington’s suggestions to enjoy your cat and at the same time provide outlets for his natural behaviors and reduce his sensitivity to stressors: “ Be an informed owner — Check the Indoor Cat Initiative Web site, www.nssvet.org/ici, for more tips on ways you can help relieve specific stressors. Check with your veterinarian. “ Be a friend — Cats like social interaction and attention, especially when they initiate it. Set aside about 20 minutes each day for playtime, grooming or paying attention to your cat, whichever she prefers. “ Reduce stressors — Create a private refuge where the cat can go and not be bothered by other animals, including family members. “That is, if the cat likes to sleep in a closet, the kids or the dog shouldn’t drag it out to play, and it should be safe from harassment by other cats,” says Buffington. If you leave home temporarily, leave a radio or TV playing to provide calming “white noise.” “ Keep the litter box clean — Scoop the litter box daily and wash it weekly with mild dish detergent. Keep at least one litter box per cat, and place them in a safe and quiet place. “ Establish a high perch — Cats like to have their own space and prefer to sleep and rest in high locations. Look for window perches, shelves, tables, any place your cat may “claim” as its own where it can watch people, birds and other animals. “ Simulate hunting activities — Find cat toys that resemble mice, birds, and bugs, cats’ natural prey. Hide cat food within toys or around the house so your cat can imitate hunting and “catching” its food. Provide a scratching post. “ Increase water intake — Refresh your cat’s water bowl daily. Add water to dry food or use canned food. To reduce conflict, make sure each cat has its own food and water bowl. When we bring cats into our homes, we don’t give them any ability to choose the environment that is right for them. Instead we ask them to live exclusively in our environment. But in order for our feline friends to stay healthy, there has to be cat friendly spaces within our human places.