Anxiety disorders in cats are common and significantly impact welfare. Recognizing anxiety signs, addressing root causes, and using evidence-based treatment improves feline psychological welfare.
Feline anxiety welfare is complicated by the subtlety of cat behavioral signals — anxious cats often hide stress effectively, appearing merely reclusive rather than clinically anxious. Chronic low-grade anxiety causes sustained cortisol elevation that compromises immune function, contributes to feline idiopathic cystitis, reduces healing capacity, and reduces quality of life across all domains. Assessment using validated tools including the Cat Stress Score helps owners and veterinarians identify anxiety below the threshold of obvious behavioral problems. Environmental modification addressing the root causes — resource distribution, safe hiding spaces, reduced inter-cat tension, and predictable routine — is the primary intervention. Pheromone products and behavioral medication provide additional support when environmental modification alone is insufficient.