Chronic stress in cats causes a range of physical illnesses that are preventable with good welfare management.
Cats are stress-sensitive animals whose physical health is directly linked to their psychological welfare. Feline idiopathic cystitis — causing urinary pain and distress without obvious physical cause — is primarily stress-driven. Chronic stress from inadequate environmental resources, social conflict, or unpredictable household events leads to recurring illness. Preventing stress through good environment management directly prevents physical suffering.