What are the symptoms of stress response in cats?

The stress response in cats is relatively diverse. Mild stress may cause symptoms such as reduced appetite and depression, while more severe stress may manifest as respiratory or digestive system symptoms, mainly including diarrhea, fever, etc. If the cat's symptoms continue to worsen, it is recommended to bring it to a pet hospital for further examination and treatment.

There are many causes of stress in cats, mainly including sudden changes in food, changes in feeding environments, and severe fright. The symptoms of stress response are mainly related to the cause of the stress in the cat. For example, if the cat's main food is suddenly changed or the feeding environment is changed, it is prone to stress responses such as intestinal discomfort, clinical manifestations including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and soft stools. Stress caused by severe stimulation is usually accompanied by changes in behavior habits, such as the cat becoming particularly afraid of people, and may also present with respiratory symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. This is because the stress response leads to a decrease in the cat's immune function, allowing related bacteria to invade, resulting in clinical symptoms.

In addition, long-distance transportation and improper vaccination can also cause stress responses in cats. Among them, long-distance transportation has a greater impact on cats, mainly because cats suffer from more stimuli during the process, such as odor stimulation, bumpy roads, and car sickness. If the cat already has a disease, the stress response will be even worse. Improper vaccination mainly refers to the roughness during the vaccination process, causing excessive shock to the cat. In addition, cats may also experience adverse reactions after vaccination, or even exacerbate the stress response.