Anxiety in cats is a significant and often unrecognized welfare problem, manifesting across a spectrum from mild stress to debilitating generalized anxiety disorder.
Feline anxiety causes chronic suffering that significantly reduces quality of life. Unlike acute fear responses, generalized anxiety creates a persistent state of hypervigilance and stress that affects all aspects of daily life. Owners frequently misinterpret anxiety signs as personality traits rather than welfare problems. Environmental modification addressing the key needs of cats — space, resources, safety, and positive social interaction — is the foundation of anxiety management. Pharmacological treatment with daily anxiolytics including fluoxetine or buspirone is effective for severe cases and can facilitate behavioral modification. Pheromone products provide moderate anxiety reduction. Referral to veterinary behavior specialists enables comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment planning for complex cases.