Cat stress response: from puffed up to off their food
Fritting, hiding, refusing to eat, and excessive licking are all different stages of stress.
There are three levels of stress in cats. Mild symptoms include fried hair, pressed ears, and rapid tail wagging, which usually recover on their own within a few minutes; moderate symptoms include hiding in a cupboard or under the bed without eating for more than 12 hours; severe symptoms include continuous vomiting, shortness of breath, and not drinking water for more than 24 hours.
The principle of dealing with mild stress is to "reduce variables": turn off the TV, close the curtains, ask the visitor out, and give it a closed and dark place. Do not forcefully hold the cat out for comfort. Human comfort is often a secondary stimulus to the cat.
It is recommended to seek medical treatment if the symptoms are moderate or above. Continuous stress can induce feline lower urinary tract syndrome, especially in male cats. Once the cat frequently enters the litter box but cannot urinate, it is an emergency and may be fatal if it exceeds 24 hours.
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