Chronic stress in cats is a major but underrecognised welfare problem that affects physical health, behaviour, and quality of life in indoor and multi-cat households.
Chronic stress in cats is often insidious — cats may not show acute distress but experience a sustained physiological stress response that damages health over time. Elevated cortisol, sympathetic nervous system activation, and reduced immune function are measurable consequences. Indoor-only cats lacking environmental complexity and outdoor-access cats harassed by neighbourhood cats are particularly vulnerable. Welfare interventions include environmental enrichment (vertical space, hiding places, multiple feeding stations), pheromone diffusers (Feliway), and careful social group management. Vets should include stress assessment in all routine consultations, particularly for cats presenting with cystitis or overgrooming.