Cats demonstrate stress in many ways, and the signs are often misunderstood. Some manifestations of stress can imitate medical conditions; it’s important to be able to tell the difference. Take our quiz to get an idea of how much stress your cat may be experiencing.
Measure your cat stress risk level:
- Number of cats in your household
-1 (1 point)
-2 (2 points)
-3 (3 points)
-4 (4 points)
-5 or more (5 points)
- How much access does your cat(s) have to the outside?
– None (5 points)
-Controlled (3 points)
– Free (1 point)
- Does your cat(s) have easy and free access to its (their) own water bowl?
– Yes (0 points)
– No (5 points)
- Does (do) your cat(s) have easy and free access to its (their) own litter box?
– Yes (0 points)
– No (5 points)
- Does (do) your cat have access to its (their) own resting area?
– Yes (0)
-No (5)
- How often do you play with your cat(s)?
– Never (5)
– Occasionally (3)
– Everyday (1)
- How often do you have guests?
– Never (0)
– Monthly (1)
-Weekly (3)
– More than once a week (5)
- When did you last move or redecorate your home?
– I haven’t recently moved nor redecorated (0)
– I have moved/redecorated within the last month (3)
– I’m currently moving/redecorating (5)
– I’m planning to move/redecorate my house in the near future (3)
- Who takes care of your cat(s) when you are away?
– My cat stays at home with a neighbor visiting her (1)
– My cat goes to a boarding facility or stays with my friends or family (3)
– My cat comes with me wherever I go (2)
- How often do you travel with your cat(s)?
– Never (0)
– Once a year (5)
– Once a month (5)
-More often than once a month (3)
Scoring
If your total is between 30 and 50, your cat is potentially under moderate stress risk levels.
If your total is between 13 and 30, your cat may have medium stress level risk.
If your total is below 10, your cat may have very low stress level risk.
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Our quiz touches upon some common stressors in a cat’s environment and lifestyle. By completing the quiz, you can see that there is more stress associated with, generally, multi-cat households, change in the location of the home and immediate environment, being able to access their own food and water source, and have a place to call their own within your home. Additional stressor changes include new people visiting the home, guests, and new babies. Illness and pain can also cause stress, and manifest as an undesirable behavior.
