Chronic stress in cats is widespread but underrecognised, causing significant welfare compromise and contributing to numerous health problems.
Cats experiencing chronic stress suffer both directly from anxiety and indirectly through stress-related diseases including feline idiopathic cystitis, over-grooming, and immune compromise. Unlike acute fear which resolves when the threat passes, chronic stress from resource competition or perceived territorial insecurity causes persistent suffering. Environmental modification addressing the cat's need for space, escape routes, predictability, positive human contact and species-appropriate play resolves most chronic stress without medication.