Your cat’s behavior can seem daunting if you’re unsure why it’s acting this way.
It’s essential to diagnose the problem before making any decisions. In some cases, your feline is acting up for no particular reason.
The following are a few common signs that your your cat might be stressed.
So, why is my cat freaking out for no reason?
There’s nothing worse than coming home from a long day at work to a cat that won’t stop meowing. Your cat looks scared and defensive.
You wonder what could be causing this.
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Why Is My Cat Freaking Out For No Reason?
Cats show fear when they feel threatened or in danger, and cats can be extremely sensitive to their environments.
It’s also possible that your cat ‘s behavior is stress-related if it’s a new environment or situation that stresses them out, or if another animal is around that’s causing them distress.
She’d then show her displeasure by screaming at the top of her lungs, clawing at anything in sight and running away to hide under the bed.
Separation anxiety is another possibility for why your cat is freaking out.
Cats suffering from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) will exhibit strange behaviors like repeatedly washing themselves, licking the same spot over and over, and jumping on countertops for no apparent reason.
Cats with OCD are usually trying to cope with something traumatic that happened to them in the past.
Experts are unsure why this stress results in such odd behavior, but they believe it has to do with the chemistry of the brain.
One probable explanation is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain that send signals to other parts of the body.
Anxiety symptoms are treatable, so if you think your cat might have obsessive compulsive disorder, see your vet for help.
As a pet owner, you no doubt notice when your cat does something a little out of the ordinary — maybe she licks the same spot on the carpet for hours or jumps on the counters for no reason at all.
Giving them attention in these moments can help reinforce that they are just cats doing cat things and reassure them that all is well.
Siamese and other Asian breeds are especially prone to OCD behaviors because of their long hair and dense undercoat.
How To Help A Cat That’s Freaking Out
Remove the Trigger
If at all feasible, remove the source of anxiety for your cat (like a thunderstorm) or try to distract her with a favorite toy or treat when she starts to act up.
Some cats are afraid of loud sounds, so try to cover noisy appliances like washers and dryers, stereos and TVs with a sound machine or play soothing music to drown out the noise.
They may also be terrified by the sight of strangers, so keep your door closed when you’re away.
It makes no difference what the trigger is, but whatever it may be, you must remove it from your cat’s life in order to eliminate the problem.
This will take time, so for the best results start early and continue your efforts consistently until the problem is resolved.
Potential noises and/or motions that lead to fear should be identified and removed or avoided if possible.
If at all possible, move the cat to another room when the noise occurs.
Calm the Cat
When a cat freaks out because something startled it, its instinctive reaction is to bolt and hide.
This entails first calming it down so that its fear response doesn’t intensify or lead to further panic.
This involves giving the cat a reassuring pat or rub on its sides.
This may help keep the kitty calm long enough for you to catch her/him and get her/him to safety.
It is critical to slowly return her to normal surroundings after such an episode so that she/he learns that nothing bad happened after all.
When your cat is hyper, it ’s natural to reprimand her/him by yelling, but avoid doing this at all costs.
This is the incorrect approach since it can worsen the situation and make your cat even more frightened than before.
Keep your cool and focus all your attention on calming her down instead of scolding her/him.
Go to the Vet
Due to the underlying symptoms that Hyperthyroidism presents, it is imperative that you take your feline friend to the vet for a proper diagnosis.
Depending on the underlying conditions, your vet might prescribe medication for your kitty to treat the condition and regulate its thyroid levels.
Also Read: Why Do Cats Pant in the Car?
Conclusion
It’s better to assist a scared cat than to punish it for being afraid. Punishment will only make the situation worse because it can scare the cat more and cause aggression, especially if it’s fearfully lashing out at someone in defense.
Instead, try gently picking up a frightened cat and holding him in your lap until he calms down.
Be extra gentle when you pick him up to prevent startling him more and causing him more pain from injuries like scratches or bites.
This might be tough to do if you’re afraid of cats, but don’t be too embarrassed to ask a friend for help if you feel like you can’t handle it on your own.
Anxiety, fright, or a medical problem can cause a cat to urinate excessively.
Because every circumstance is different, you’ll have to diagnose what’s causing your cat’s excessive urination and go from there.
