03/12/2025
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Cats are routine orientated creatures, who thrive off the security of knowing that their day will be predictable and consistent.
Coming up to Christmas, we are already seeing a large number of cats experiencing stress related medical conditions due to missing their humans and their routine.
Some cats are more likely to be affected by a sudden change in routine than others, however, there are things we can do to reduce the risk of them becoming overwhelmed and/or sick:
- Zylkene (Milk based supplement in food)
- Feliway (Pheromone Spray or diffuser)
- Cattery if no pet sitter available
- Pet sitter preferable to keep your cat in their environment
- Interactive puzzles/Feeders (Not automatic Feeders)
- Leaving items that smell like their Favorite humans on a bed or a chair.
The two most common illnesses we see in cats in these stressful situations are;
- Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the pancreas)
- FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease)
- FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis)
It is important that your pet sitter or cattery is aware of any preexisting health conditions your cat has, especially if they have a history of the above stress related conditions, which can be life threatening and result in hospitalization.
Symptoms for your cat's carer to be aware of;
- Not eating
- Not drinking
- Not passing urine, or only passing small amount at a time
- Blood/Pink in urine
- Urinating outside of the litter tray
- Urinating in or on other things in the house
- In and out of the litter tray
- Vocalising in the litter tray
- Licking at ge****ls
- Lethargic
- Aggression/Hissing (If not normal for them)
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Hiding
Please leave our contact details (02) 6251 1444 and/or your closest veterinary clinicsβ details nearby for your carer, so if they notice even a small collection of these signs, they can seek veterinary advice for your cat.
https://icatcare.org/articles/stress-in-cats
https://icatcare.org/articles/feline-idiopathic-cystitis-fic-in-cats
https://icatcare.org/articles/problem-behaviour-in-cats
https://icatcare.org/articles/pancreatitis-in-cats