Is your cat hiding more than usual, overgrooming, pacing around a lot, urine marking, or meowing excessively? These are some possible subtle signs of anxiety and stress, which can show up through changes in behaviour.

Anxiety in cats is the anticipation of something stressful or frightening, even if the threat is not happening at that moment.

This emotion can build when a cat expects something negative to occur, making it fairly common when they encounter new or stressful situations and unfamiliar environments such as veterinary visits, grooming sessions, or hospital stays.

Cats who have recently been rescued, fostered, or adopted may also feel unsettled as they adjust to a new home. In some cases, past negative experiences can contribute to ongoing anxiety, too.

General situational anxiety is the most common form in cats, triggered by vet visits, loud noises, new environments, and more. Occasionally, separation anxiety may also occur, with cats showing signs of distress when left alone for long periods, although this is still less common in cats than in dogs.

Below is a quick guide that outlines common signs of feline anxiety, as well as evidence-based strategies to help reduce stress and calm down a cat. While not every case of cat anxiety requires veterinary treatment or intervention, there are times when it will be best to seek professional support and guidance.

At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery, we take a Fear-Free approach to veterinary care, focusing on minimising fear, anxiety, and stress in our animal patients.

Grey and white pet cat licking and grooming himself — *Over- or under-grooming could indicate anxiety.*

Is My Cat Anxious? Decoding the Signs

When cats are scared, stressed, or anxious, they often express it in subtle shifts in their behaviour. These can include aggression, changes in grooming, appetite, vocalisation, bathroom habits, and more.

Common indicators include:

1. Changes in Social Interaction:

Hiding or avoidance: Retreating under furniture or isolating themselves in quiet areas more than usual.
Aggression: Uncharacteristic hissing, growling, swatting, or biting, directed at other pets or people. This often stems from feeling threatened or insecure.

2. Changes in Peeing or Pooping Habits:

Inappropriate elimination: Urinating or defecating outside the litter box, especially on soft surfaces like beds or carpets. Stress in cats can also contribute to feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which might cause these changes.
Urine marking: Spraying small amounts of pee on vertical surfaces (e.g., walls or furniture). This territorial behaviour is often triggered by anxiety related to outdoor animals, new people in the home, or environmental changes.

3. Changes in Grooming and Activity:

Overgrooming: Excessive licking and nibbling of the hair and skin that leads to bald patches in the cat’s fur, particularly on the belly, inner thighs, or lower back. Overgrooming can also occur at other areas that the cat can easily reach.
Undergrooming: A matted, unkempt coat may signal a cat that is too anxious or unwell to maintain normal self-care.
Compulsive behaviours: Repetitive pacing, circling, or excessive scratching.

4. Other Physical and Vocal Cues:

Body language: Ears pinned back, sideway ears, dilated pupils, low body posture, or a twitching tail.
Vocalisation changes: Increased or excessive meowing, yowling, or growling.
Appetite changes: Eating much less or more than usual.

The following is a helpful handout by Fear-Free Happy Homes, using a scale of 0 to 5, showing the spectrum of feline fear, anxiety, and stress. Severe signs, at levels 4 and 5, include increased respiratory rate (e.g., breathing more quickly), whiskers back or forward, body flattened and tense, and furrowed brow.

It is important to note that some of these signs, especially aggression and changes in peeing or pooping, can also point to potential underlying medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, pain from arthritis (degenerative joint disease), or urinary tract infections / feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

Consult a veterinarian for a thorough evaluation and full pet check-up to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment. Only a vet will be able to identify or rule out any health problems before concluding that the cause is primarily behavioural.

For questions or bookings, please WhatsApp our friendly Paws N’ Claws team at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).

Calming an Anxious or Stressed Cat at Home

For mild cat anxiety, simple modifications and tools can help create a safer and more predictable environment at home.

Many of these methods — along with a variety of other Fear-Free techniques — are also applied in Fear-Free aligned vet clinics or animal hospitals, including our Paws N’ Claws Vet branches in Upper Thomson and Yishun.

Here are practical steps to calm an anxious cat and reduce stress:

1. Take it Slow

Cats are highly sensitive to movement and sound. Approach them slowly and gently to avoid startling them. Sudden approaches can trigger a stress response.

Use a soft, calm voice.
Move slowly and deliberately.
Avoid direct eye contact, which some cats perceive as threatening.
Pet gently around the head, neck, and chin. Avoid the belly, tail, and paws unless the cat is comfortable with it.
Play soothing music to create a relaxing environment.

2. Play and Enrichment

Interactive play provides mental stimulation, reduces boredom, and allows cats to release pent-up energy and stress in a positive way.

Ginger maine coon cat relaxing on a cat tree at home — *Cat trees are great, as kitties like to be on higher ground!*

Schedule short, daily sessions with teaser or wand toys that mimic prey.
Use puzzle feeders and snuffle mats to encourage natural foraging behaviour and mental focus.
Provide scratching posts and vertical spaces such as cat trees and shelves, giving your cat a sense of security and control.

3. Calming Aids: Pheromones, Supplements, and More

Some over-the-counter (OTC) products can provide support, though their effectiveness in relaxing cats will vary among individuals.

Calming supplements: Anti-anxiety supplements can be taken before stressful events such as a vet visit. They are available at many authorised retailers and vet clinics in Singapore, including our Paws N’ Claws Vet branches.

Always consult your veterinarian before starting any supplement, to ensure safety, avoid side effects, and select a reliable, authentic product.

Synthetic calming pheromones: Products such as Feliway for cats (similar to Adaptil for dogs) mimic natural facial pheromones. Available as diffusers, sprays, or wipes, they can help the animal feel less stressed during transitions, introductions, or in multi-cat households.

Catnip and silver vine: While catnip often induces a playful, stimulated state in cats, it can also be followed by relaxation for some. For cats who do not respond to catnip, silver vine may be an alternative. Moderation is key when using catnip or silver vine, and always supervise your pet.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

If the cat’s anxiety is persistent, worsening, or affecting their quality of life, professional intervention is recommended. An AVS-licensed, qualified veterinarian in Singapore can assess your cat, diagnose or rule out underlying medical causes, and develop a treatment or management plan.

Discuss Medication and Sedation with Your Veterinarian

Prescription medications, including anti-anxiety drugs and pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVPs), are safe and can be highly effective for patients experiencing notable stress during vet visits, travel, or other challenging situations.

For particularly stressful procedures or trips, short-term sedation may be recommended. This will help keep your cat safe and calm while your veterinarian provides care. It can also prevent the cat from associating visits with fear, anxiety, and stress.

Combining pharmaceutical support with environmental strategies — such as enrichment, calming pheromones, and safe hiding spaces — often produces the best outcomes. Medication would help your cat be more receptive to interventions, making it easier to lower his or her stress and anxiety in the long term.

A Collaborative Approach With Pet Owners

Clear, transparent communication with your veterinary team is key. Discuss the medication options, potential side effects, and any concerns or questions you may have so that you can make an informed decision.

Managing feline anxiety is a partnership between you and your veterinary team. Together, we can rule out medical causes, identify anxiety triggers and environmental stressors, and develop a tailored plan for your furkid that you are comfortable with.

Fear-Free Vet Clinic Visits: Helping Cats Feel Safe

Long-haired feline hospital patient resting in blankets at Paws N' Claws vet clinic in Singapore — *A Paws N’ Claws hospitalised patient all cosy & relaxed in our Fear-Free environment.*

Skyler, resident cat at Paws N' Claws vet clinic in Upper Thomson and Yishun, sitting on a high shelf in the cat consultation room — *Our resident cat, Skyler, loves to perch high up on a shelf in our cat consult room.*

Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery in Singapore is a Fear-Free aligned clinical practice. Both of our vet clinic locations, in Yishun and Upper Thomson, are helmed by Fear-Free certified professionals.

Everyone on our team believes that mental well-being is integral to an animal’s overall health. This means that every aspect of your pet’s visit is designed to reduce any fear, anxiety, and stress, as we understand that a visit to an animal hospital or clinic can be overwhelming for both patients and their owners.

Our clinics create a calm, supportive veterinary environment with:

Feline-friendly facilities such as separate cat-only consultation rooms, cat trees and shelves.
Low-stress handling techniques, e.g., using towels, treats, toys, and gentle restraint to make examinations and treatments less intimidating.
Complimentary ‘happy visits’: Ahead of the scheduled medical appointment, you can bring your cat to relax at and explore our clinic premises. This helps your pet get comfortable with the environment and staff, allowing him or her to build positive associations before the actual medical appointment.

Our Yishun branch, which also provides medical grooming services, similarly takes a Fear-Free approach to pet grooming and is well-equipped to handle anxious, aggressive, or elderly pets.

Cat burrito - relaxed pet cat during nail clipping during Fear-Free veterinary care at Paws N' Claws vet clinic in Singapore — *A snoozing ‘purrito’! Our medical grooming patient is so relaxed she has fallen asleep in our nurse’s lap.*

Want to learn more about Fear-Free veterinary care? Check out our other blog articles:

Chat With Us Today or Schedule a Vet Consultation

Help your furkid feel more secure and calm by observing the signs of cat anxiety, providing play and enrichment, using calming tools and methods, and communicating with your veterinary team.

Consult a qualified veterinarian for cat anxiety treatment to ensure safe, tailored care for your pet.

Head veterinarian Dr Esther, with a feline patient, at Paws N' Claws vet clinic in Upper Thomson and Yishun

Paws N’ Claws Vet’s friendly and knowledgeable team of veterinarians, nurses, and technicians will gladly address any questions you may have.

We believe in empowering pet owners with knowledge and understanding so you can make an informed decision about your pet’s well-being and healthcare.

Have a question? WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).

Alternatively, please fill in the form below to send us a query.

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Guide to Anxiety in Cats: How to Calm Your Pet