Lora Lee 
Stress is a major cause of concern when it comes to our cats. A cat under stress can have negative effects on their health and behavior. Loss of appetite, inappropriate urination, and overgrooming are some of the physical effects of stress. Isolation, fighting, and anxiety or depression are a few of the emotional effects of stress. There are a lot of reasons why our cats can become stressed. But don’t stress because there are some excellent ways to help reduce the stress and keep your cats happy and healthy.
Our Own Stress
One of the biggest sources of stress that our cats feel is our own personal stress. This is something that I am dealing with right now. It is the beginning of the school year and with that comes a lot more stress than I have been dealing with over summer break. Just the week of workdays was enough to cause some stress related issues with my cats. Tensions rose between Bodie & Zazzles. Cactus has become a lap kitty. Lily follows me around and sits nearby watching me. They have all been picking up on my stress of starting a new school year.
I have had to make a conscious effort to keep my stress in check. Remembering just how much my cats are in tune to me and my stress level is important for them to remain happy and healthy. Putting into practice ways to eliminate my stress BEFORE I return home is probably one of the most important things that I can do to help them. Taking a moment to take a few deep, cleansing breaths before I get out of the car. Using my Selenite wand to remove any negative energies that I may have picked up during the day. Feeling a sense of gratitude for being able to provide for my cats in ways that they have been accustomed. A few ways that I use to manage my own stress in order to keep my cats from being stressed.
Stress Relievers
In conjunction with the ways that I use to eliminate my own stress, I have ways for my cats to work through any stress they may have. My go-to ways are herb gardens, hydrosols, and crystals. These tools are not only easy to use but can be adapted to the cat’s needs. For the next couple of weeks, we will be using herbs, hydrosols, and crystals that are geared towards relieving stress. The amazing thing about using these tools is that I will also feel the effects by being in the same room. We will work on relieving everyone’s stress. This is important as we all get adjusted to a new school year.
“You can not look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.” – Jane Pauley
