Did you know that according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) even small changes in routine can cause a cat to feel anxious?
Adding new animals to the home, moving, and even small changes in routine can cause anxiety for your cat, which can lead to all sorts of behavioral issues, including fearful behavior. Now imagine how much anxiety fearful cats feel when their adopted into a new family, and are not only moving, but are also being introduced to a new environment, a new schedule, and possibly new cats too.
In cases like this, it's incredibly common for the adopted cat to feel extreme anxiety, and to show matching behaviors. Some cats will show aggression due to their anxiety, but most adopted cats will show fearful behavior during the first few days, which includes things like:
Fleeing
Hiding
Freezing in place
Losing control of bladder and/or bowels
Releasing anal glands
Not using the litter box
The type of behavior a cat shows when it is anxious depends on its personality. While a naturally confident cat is likely to adjust quickly to a new home, naturally fearful cats may need some help from you. If your new pet seems unusually fearful, try using the following five ideas to help your new cat adjust to your home.
Leave Him or Her Alone
If the new cat seems healthy, but refuses to come out of hiding, leave him or her alone for a few days. Provide easy access to food, water and the litter box, and keep an eye on these things to see if there used. If your cat is eating, drinking, and eliminating, he or she will come out of hiding after a few days.
Keep Fear Stimulus to a Minimum
As much as possible, keep "scary" things away while your cat adjusts. For example, most cats are afraid of the vacuum cleaner noise, so if possible avoid using it for a few days while your cat gets comfortable. By keeping "scary" things away from your cat while it adjusts, there will be less anxiety for him or her to overcome, which will speed up the adjustment process.
Make a Routine
All cats like routines, especially fearful cats. So create a schedule for feeding, grooming, playing, etc. When your new cat knows what to expect, he or she will begin to feel less anxiety, which in turn will help him or her adjust quicker.
Talk to the Pros
If your cat is still showing fearful behavior after a few weeks in your home, take it to the veterinarian to rule out medical issues. If your cat is healthy, you may want to talk with your veterinarian about ways to calm your cat's anxiety with training or medication. You might also want to consider talking with an animal behavior specialist, who can give ideas for working with fearful cats.
Don't Give Up
Fearful cats are likely to always have a hard time adjusting to new situations, but it isn't hard to help them handle their anxiety. So even if these ideas don't work, don't give up on your new friend. There are lots of resources available for pet owners who want to help their fearful cats live healthier, happier lives.
