Signs of Stress in Cats: How to Recognise When Your Cat Is Struggling

Updated September 2026

Cats can be remarkably good at hiding when something is wrong.

A stressed cat does not necessarily hiss, run around the house or make it obvious that they are struggling.

They may simply sleep somewhere different.

They might eat a little less, stop playing, spend more time upstairs or begin avoiding another cat in the household.

Sometimes the first sign is a behavioural problem, such as scratching furniture or toileting outside the litter tray.

The important question is often not simply, “Is this normal cat behaviour?”

It is:

“What has changed for this particular cat?”

I have cared for cats with very different personalities over the years. Some meet me at the door. Others prefer to watch from the stairs or remain safely underneath a bed until I have gone.

Being shy does not automatically mean a cat is stressed.

A change from their normal behaviour, however, deserves attention.

This guide looks at some of the signs of stress in cats, common causes, ways you can make their environment easier to cope with, and when a behavioural change should prompt a conversation with your vet.

Quick Answer: What Are the Signs of Stress in a Cat?

Possible signs of stress can include:

• hiding more than usual
• becoming withdrawn
• eating less
• changes in drinking
• toileting outside the litter tray
• over-grooming
• reduced grooming
• scratching more
• becoming unusually vocal
• becoming unusually quiet
• avoiding people or other pets
• appearing more watchful or easily startled
• changes in sleeping places
• reduced interest in play
• changes in interactions with other cats
• flattened or differently positioned ears
• enlarged pupils
• changes in normal body posture

None of these proves that stress is the cause.

Pain and illness can produce behavioural changes too.

If your cat suddenly starts behaving differently, particularly if there are changes in eating, drinking, toileting, mobility or general health, contact your vet rather than assuming that your cat is simply stressed.

What Does Stress Mean for a Cat?

Stress is part of the body’s response to something the cat perceives as threatening or difficult to cope with.

A short-lived stress response is not automatically abnormal.

If somebody drops a pan in the kitchen and your cat shoots upstairs, that immediate reaction serves a purpose.

The bigger concern is when something in the cat’s environment repeatedly or persistently leaves them unable to relax and behave normally.

Cats Protection’s guidance on stress in cats explains that cats can be subtle in the way they show stress and may hide signs of both stress and pain.

This is one reason owners sometimes do not realise something has changed until a behaviour becomes much more noticeable.

Know What Is Normal for Your Cat

There is no single picture of a happy cat.

One cat may spend half the evening sitting on your lap.

Another may prefer the other end of the sofa.

One cat greets everybody who enters the house.

Another disappears upstairs when the doorbell rings and reappears twenty minutes after the visitor leaves.

Both may be perfectly comfortable.

Instead of comparing your cat with somebody else’s, establish what is normal for yours.

Think about:

• where they normally sleep
• when they normally eat
• how much they usually drink
• their normal litter-tray habits
• whether they normally go outside
• how much they groom
• who they normally interact with
• how much they play
• where they spend different parts of the day
• how they normally respond to visitors
• how they interact with other animals

Changes from that baseline can tell you much more than a generic checklist.

Hiding Can Be Normal

Cats hide.

It is a normal and useful behaviour.

A cardboard box, space beneath a bed or quiet position on top of a wardrobe can provide somewhere to rest without being disturbed.

A naturally cautious cat may also hide whenever somebody unfamiliar enters the house.

That alone does not mean there is a problem.

I see this when cat sitting.

Some cats appear almost immediately.

Others hear the key in the door and disappear before I am inside.

I do not regard getting a nervous cat out from underneath the bed for a photograph as a successful visit.

If they are safe and their normal needs are being met, giving them control over whether they interact is often much more appropriate.

What interests me more is a change.

If a cat who normally spends evenings downstairs suddenly spends almost all day underneath the bed, I would want to know why.

Changes in Appetite

Stress can affect eating, but loss of appetite should never automatically be dismissed as anxiety.

Pay attention if your cat:

• eats less than normal
• suddenly refuses a favourite food
• approaches the bowl but walks away
• seems reluctant to eat in their normal location
• only eats when the house is quiet
• changes their eating behaviour around another cat

There may be an environmental explanation.

For example, another pet may make access to the feeding area uncomfortable.

But there may also be a medical reason.

If your cat stops eating or you are concerned about a significant change in appetite, contact your vet.

Changes in Toileting

A cat suddenly urinating or defecating outside their litter tray is not being spiteful.

Cats Protection specifically warns against interpreting feline behaviour in terms such as “revenge” or “spite”.

There can be many reasons for changes in toileting.

The litter tray may be:

• dirty
• difficult to reach
• in a busy area
• near something frightening
• being guarded by another cat
• too small
• associated with discomfort

But urinary and digestive problems can also cause changes.

Straining to urinate, repeatedly attempting to urinate or being unable to pass urine requires urgent veterinary attention.

Do not try to solve a sudden toileting problem purely as a behaviour issue before considering health.

Changes in Grooming

Grooming is another behaviour where the pattern matters.

Some stressed cats may groom excessively.

You might notice:

• repeated licking of one area
• thinning fur
• bald patches
• sore skin
• much more grooming than usual

Other cats may groom less.

A coat that becomes unusually unkempt can also be associated with pain, illness, dental problems, obesity or reduced mobility.

Again, this is why “my cat is stressed” should not become a diagnosis made at home.

Changes in Body Language

Look at your whole cat rather than one isolated feature.

When worried or stressed, you might see changes involving:

• ears
• eyes
• pupils
• whiskers
• tail
• body position
• movement
• distance from people or animals

Cats Protection notes that a stressed cat may try to hide or move somewhere high, with flattened ears, wide pupils and changes in whisker position.

Context matters.

Large pupils in a dark room do not mean your cat is frightened.

A cat crouching immediately before pouncing on a toy is different from a cat crouching in a corner while trying to avoid interaction.

Look at the situation and the complete body.

[ADDITIONAL IMAGE: Natural photograph showing a relaxed cat with neutral ears, eyes and body posture. Alt text: Relaxed cat showing comfortable body language]

Becoming More Watchful

Sometimes stress is visible as increased vigilance.

Your cat may:

• repeatedly look towards a window
• patrol doors
• react to small sounds
• stop settling in an exposed sleeping place
• keep checking another cat’s location
• become more easily startled
• spend more time looking outside

If this behaviour is new, look for changes in and around the home.

A neighbouring cat appearing in the garden every morning may be very significant to your cat even if you barely notice them.

Common Causes of Stress in Cats

Different cats cope differently.

Something one cat ignores may be extremely difficult for another.

Potential causes include:

• another cat in the household
• unfamiliar cats outside
• a new dog or other pet
• visitors
• a new baby
• moving home
• building work
• loud or unpredictable noises
• fireworks
• changes to feeding times
• changes in the owner’s routine
• unsuitable litter-tray arrangements
• competition for resources
• boredom
• insufficient hiding or resting places
• unwanted handling
• pain or illness

Sometimes several relatively small changes happen together.

Rather than searching for one dramatic event, think about what has changed recently.

Other Cats Can Be a Source of Stress

Living in a multi-cat household does not automatically mean the cats are friends.

Some cats are closely bonded.

Others tolerate one another.

Some may quietly arrange their lives so that they rarely need to be in the same place.

Conflict does not always involve obvious fighting.

One cat may:

• block a doorway
• occupy the route to a litter tray
• control access to food
• stare at another cat
• repeatedly take a preferred resting place
• chase the other cat away
• make another cat reluctant to enter part of the house

Providing separate resources can help cats avoid competition.

That includes appropriate access to:

• food
• water
• litter trays
• beds
• scratching areas
• hiding places
• high resting places

Do not assume that putting everything together in one convenient “cat area” is convenient for the cats.

Cats Outside Your Home Can Matter Too

Your cat does not need to share their home with another cat for feline conflict to become an issue.

Neighbourhood cats may:

• enter the garden
• sit outside windows
• come through a cat flap
• block outdoor routes
• appear near doors
• patrol areas your cat normally uses

To you, it may simply look like another cat sitting on the patio.

To your cat, it may represent an unfamiliar animal repeatedly appearing within or close to their territory.

Watch what happens before assuming your cat’s sudden reluctance to go outside is inexplicable.

Visitors and Household Changes

Some cats take visitors completely in their stride.

Others do not.

A busy weekend can bring:

• unfamiliar voices
• unfamiliar smells
• doors opening and closing
• children
• luggage
• moved furniture
• different feeding times
• less access to normal sleeping areas

Your cat does not need to join in.

Make sure they can retreat somewhere safe and quiet.

Ask visitors not to follow a cat that walks away or to pull it from a hiding place.

Choice matters.

Building Work and Noise

Building work can be particularly disruptive because it combines several changes at once.

There may be:

• drilling
• hammering
• unfamiliar people
• doors being opened
• furniture being moved
• dust
• unfamiliar smells
• changes to normal access around the house

If work is planned, think about your cat before it starts.

A secure quiet room away from the work may be appropriate, with familiar bedding and access to their normal resources.

Extra care is also needed to prevent accidental escape while tradespeople are entering and leaving.

Fireworks and Sudden Noise

Fireworks are an obvious example of environmental stress, but not every frightened cat reacts dramatically.

Some hide.

Some become restless.

Some stop eating.

Some become unusually quiet.

Others seem largely unconcerned.

I have a separate guide covering Cats and Fireworks: How to Help Your Cat Feel Safe, including keeping outdoor cats safely indoors, hiding places, litter trays and what to do during noisy evenings.

The principle remains the same: work with the cat you have rather than the reaction you expect them to have.

Boredom and Lack of Appropriate Activity

Stress is not always caused by something frightening.

Cats also need opportunities to perform normal behaviours.

Depending on the individual cat, that may include:

• climbing
• scratching
• observing
• hiding
• exploring
• hunting-style play
• resting somewhere undisturbed
• watching the outside world
• interacting with people when they choose

An indoor cat does not need constant entertainment.

They do need an environment that allows them to behave like a cat.

My “Indoor Enrichment for Cats While You’re Away” guide offers practical ideas you can use at home, too.

Handling Your Cat

Affection should not become something your cat has to tolerate.

Some cats enjoy long periods of physical contact.

Others prefer short interactions.

Some like their head being stroked but dislike being picked up.

Watch what your cat does.

If they move away, let them.

Avoid:

• restraining them for affection
• repeatedly picking them up when they move away
• following them into hiding places
• forcing introductions
• waking them for interaction
• assuming a tolerant cat is enjoying something

A cat walking away has communicated something useful.

Listen to them.

What About a Nervous or Shy Cat?

A naturally nervous cat is not necessarily an unhappy cat.

Their comfortable world may simply be smaller.

For a shy cat, feeling safe might mean:

• predictable routines
• familiar people
• quiet resting areas
• the ability to hide
• watching visitors from a distance
• approaching in their own time
• not being handled by unfamiliar people

Trying to turn every shy cat into a sociable one can create more pressure.

Confidence should not be measured by whether a cat will allow every visitor to stroke them.

[ADD RELEVANT FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OR LOCAL EXAMPLE HERE: A short genuine example of a shy or nervous cat you have cared for who gradually chose to approach once they realised there was no pressure to interact. Do not add a name or circumstances unless you are happy they are accurate and appropriate to share.]

Can Going on Holiday Stress a Cat?

For some cats, yes.

Your absence changes part of their normal environment.

Their usual person may no longer:

• prepare breakfast
• open the cat flap
• sit in the normal chair
• play at the usual time
• settle on the sofa in the evening
• sleep in the bedroom

That does not mean every cat becomes distressed when their owner travels.

My guide, Do Cats Miss Their Owners? looks at this question in much more detail.

Some cats continue to eat, sleep, and play almost normally.

Others may initially hide, eat at different times or take time to become comfortable with the person caring for them.

This is one reason keeping the rest of their world familiar can be useful.

Keeping a Cat’s Routine Familiar While You Are Away

For many cats, staying in their own home means they retain:

• familiar smells
• normal sleeping places
• their usual litter trays
• established feeding areas
• familiar views
• known hiding places
• their normal territory

A cat sitter should not arrive expecting to become your cat’s new best friend.

When I visit a nervous cat, I am perfectly happy to prepare their food, refresh their water, clean the litter tray and sit quietly without demanding interaction.

Some eventually come to investigate me.

Some do not.

Both are acceptable.

What matters is whether the cat is safe and whether important things such as eating, drinking, toileting and general behaviour are being monitored.

For more specific holiday advice, read Nervous Cat While You’re Away: How a Calm Cat Sitter Can Help.

[INSERT RELEVANT SERVICE CTA HERE]

Calm Cat Sitting in Finchley

If you are going away and your cat is happiest in familiar surroundings, I provide Cat Sitting in Finchley, with care tailored to your cat’s normal routine.

Visits can include feeding, fresh water, litter-tray care, agreed medication, enrichment where wanted, welfare observations and updates.

Some cats want company.

Some want play.

Some want me to put the food down and leave them alone.

I work with the cat in front of me rather than forcing interaction.

How Can I Help Reduce My Cat’s Stress?

Start by looking for the cause rather than trying to suppress the behaviour.

Depending on the situation, useful changes might include:

• keeping routines predictable
• providing safe hiding places
• giving access to high resting places
• separating important resources
• keeping litter trays clean
• giving cats space from one another
• preventing unfamiliar cats entering the home
• providing suitable scratching opportunities
• offering appropriate play and enrichment
• reducing unwanted handling
• allowing your cat to leave interactions
• providing a quiet area during visitors or building work

But if the behaviour is new or concerning, speak to your vet first.

Environmental changes cannot treat an underlying medical problem.

What About Pheromone Diffusers?

You may come across pheromone products marketed for helping cats feel more secure.

Cats Protection includes plug-in pheromone diffusers as one component of a broader approach to feline stress, while emphasising that they should not be treated as a stand-alone solution.

I would take the same approach.

A diffuser should not distract you from investigating:

• pain
• illness
• conflict with another cat
• poor litter arrangements
• inappropriate handling
• environmental changes
• insufficient resources
• other causes of distress

If you are concerned about your cat, speak to your vet rather than relying on a product alone.

Never Punish Stress-Related Behaviour

Do not punish your cat for:

• hiding
• hissing
• scratching
• avoiding you
• refusing interaction
• toileting outside the tray
• reacting defensively when frightened

Punishment does not explain what you want the cat to do.

More importantly, it can add another source of fear to a situation they are already struggling with.

Find out why the behaviour is happening.

When Should I Speak to My Vet?

A sudden behavioural change deserves attention because cats can hide illness and pain.

Contact your vet if you notice a significant or unexplained change, particularly involving:

• appetite
• drinking
• weight
• toileting
• grooming
• mobility
• breathing
• activity
• sleep
• interaction
• vocalisation
• hiding

Seek urgent veterinary help if your cat appears seriously unwell, has difficulty breathing, collapses, is injured or is repeatedly trying but unable to urinate.

Cats Protection recommends making veterinary assessment a priority when you are worried about behavioural changes or possible stress.

If medical causes have been investigated and the problem continues, your vet may recommend an appropriately qualified feline behaviour professional.

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council maintains a register of suitably qualified practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell whether my cat is stressed?

Look for changes from your cat’s normal behaviour.

These might involve hiding, appetite, toileting, grooming, sleeping, play, vocalisation, body language or interactions with people and other animals.

Do not diagnose stress solely from one sign.

Why is my cat suddenly hiding?

Cats hide for many reasons.

Your cat may simply want somewhere quiet to sleep, but sudden or persistent hiding can also indicate fear, stress, pain, or illness.

If hiding is unusual for your cat or happens alongside other changes, contact your vet.

Can stress make a cat stop eating?

Stress can affect appetite, but a cat not eating can become a medical concern and may have causes unrelated to stress.

Contact your vet if your cat stops eating or you are worried about their food intake.

Is my cat urinating outside the litter tray because they are angry with me?

Do not assume so.

Changes in toileting can have environmental, behavioural and medical causes.

Your cat is not best helped by punishment.

A veterinary check is particularly important when the change is sudden.

Can another cat stress my cat?

Yes.

Conflict can occur between cats living together and with cats outside the home.

It does not always involve fighting.

Watch for blocking, staring, chasing, and one cat becoming reluctant to use particular resources or areas.

Should I pull my cat out if they are hiding?

Normally, no.

Give them somewhere safe to retreat and allow them to emerge when they feel comfortable.

There are exceptions where you need to locate a cat because of an immediate medical, safety or emergency concern.

Can my cat become stressed when I go on holiday?

Some cats find changes to familiar people and routines difficult.

Others appear to cope very well.

Reliable care, familiar surroundings and maintaining as much of the normal routine as practical can reduce unnecessary disruption.

Related Cat Care Guides

• Cat Care Advice in Finchley
• Do Cats Miss Their Owners?
• Can Cats Get Lonely?
• Cats and Fireworks: How to Help Your Cat Feel Safe
• Caring for a Senior Cat
• Should You Use a Cat Sitter, Neighbour or a Cattery?
• Cat Sitting in Finchley

Your Cat’s Normal Behaviour Is Your Best Starting Point

A list of signs can be useful, but you know your cat’s normal routine better than anybody.

Pay attention to change.

A cat that has always slept in the wardrobe may simply love sleeping in the wardrobe.

A cat that suddenly moves there and barely comes out is telling you something has changed.

Do not immediately label unusual behaviour as naughty, stubborn, jealous or spiteful.

Observe.

Look at what has changed around them.

Give them choice and somewhere safe to retreat.

And when the change is sudden, persistent or accompanied by physical symptoms, involve your vet.

For broader practical advice, visit my Cat Care Advice in Finchley hub.

If you are planning a holiday and would like your cat to remain in their familiar home, you can also read about my Cat Sitting in Finchley service.

This guide provides general information about feline welfare and behaviour. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace advice from your veterinary surgeon. Stress, pain and illness can produce similar behavioural changes. Contact your vet if your cat’s behaviour changes suddenly, they appear unwell, stop eating, develop toileting problems or you have any other concerns.