It's normal to experience a bit of hustle and bustle and/or nervousness at certain times of the day. When you live with a cat, you should try to minimize these moments, as cats are animals that quickly pick up on our emotions. Living with stress is not good for either the cat or us , so it's important to ensure that the atmosphere at home is as calm and pleasant as possible.
Furthermore, cats not only perceive our mood, but also changes in routine, loud noises, visitors, or moves . All of this can cause them to go from being relaxed furry friends to being in a constant state of alert, especially at night, when their hunting instinct is strongest.
If your friend is especially nervous or restless, keep reading to find out how to relax a cat , what might be happening to him, and what you can do, step by step, to restore his calm.
Why can my cat get nervous?
Before trying to calm your cat, it's essential to understand the cause of its nervousness . A cat may be restless for physical reasons (pain, illness), emotional reasons (fear, anxiety, changes), or simply because it has a lot of pent-up energy. In many cases, several causes combine, so it's advisable to carefully observe its daily behavior.
Age
Kittens are little terrors , running around, investigating everything they find several times a day, and getting into all sorts of mischief. But around eight or nine months old, they start behaving more like adults. This doesn't mean they don't want to play anymore; it simply means they'll do other things, like observing their surroundings from their scratching post or going outside if they're allowed.
This boundless energy in youngsters is due to their bodies being primed to hunt at dawn and dusk . Even if they live indoors, their internal clock remains twilight. If they spend many hours sleeping or without stimulation during the day, it's normal for them to seem to have "endless batteries" at night and start running, meowing, or jumping on the bed when you're trying to sleep.
This is a normal occurrence that happens to most cats, as I mentioned, although of course there are exceptions: some cats don't calm down until they get older, while others maintain a particularly active temperament throughout their lives. In these cases, a good routine of play and environmental stimulation is essential to prevent that energy from turning into anxiety.
Stress
As we mentioned at the beginning, if your dog lives in a tense family environment, or if someone is preventing them from having a peaceful life (for example, a dog that harasses them, or a child who won't leave them alone), they will live in a constant state of alert. If this happens, every time someone tries to pet them, they might react by growling or even attacking.
Feline stress is a silent enemy. Cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment : moving, renovations, new furniture, the arrival of a baby or another pet, frequent visitors, parties with loud music, or fireworks. Outside noises, such as construction or storms, and changes in our own routines that disrupt their feeding, play, and rest schedules also have an impact.
When stress persists, your body continuously releases hormones like cortisol . In the short term, this helps you cope, but if it continues, it can affect your immune, digestive, and urinary systems, leading to problems such as idiopathic cystitis, vomiting, diarrhea, or hair loss. That's why it's so important to learn to recognize the early signs of stress and act as soon as possible.
Pain
If your cat has suffered a fracture or is ill, it may also appear nervous . It's important to remember that in its natural habitat, a cat cannot show any weakness, as this could attract predators who might smell its pheromones and find it quickly. Therefore, if you notice any small change in its routine that makes you suspect something is wrong, don't hesitate to seek veterinary help.
Pain or physical discomfort often manifests as changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, irritability , or aversion to being touched in certain areas. In older cats, conditions such as hyperthyroidism, osteoarthritis, or neurological problems can cause increased activity, involuntary meowing, or restlessness, especially at night. Therefore, when faced with a sudden change in behavior, it is essential to first rule out a medical cause.
Other reasons that may upset your cat
Besides age, stress, and pain, there are other common situations that can trigger nervousness:
- Changes in routineVariations in feeding times, prolonged absence of caregivers, vacations or changes in work shifts can destabilize a cat that needs predictability.
- Loud noises and firecrackersTheir hearing is much more developed than ours, so storms, vacuum cleaners, construction work, or fireworks can be especially frightening.
- Travel and visits to the vetThe carrier, the car, and an unfamiliar environment full of strange smells are very stressful experiences for many cats.
- Lack of stimulationAn environment lacking toys, scratching posts, heights, or activities leads to boredom and energy buildup, which is often discharged at night or through destructive behaviors.
How to relax my cat?
To help your cat relax, the first thing you need to do is figure out the cause of its nervousness so you can take appropriate action. A hyperactive kitten is not the same as a sick adult cat or a cat suffering from loud noises outside.
Once the cause has been identified, the ideal approach is to combine environmental changes, appropriate play routines, sufficient resources, and, if necessary, veterinary support . Keep these basic points in mind:
- Kitty cat: If he is a young furry, we will not be able to do much to change his behavior. Even so, if we adapt the house to the feline and dedicate time to play with it, I can assure you that it will tire more quickly.
- Stress: nap stressed or is being harassed, you have to try to get the cat to be calm. If there is a person who is bothering you, it will be explained to him that he cannot do it since otherwise he could attack him to defend himself; If it is a dog or another cat, you have to try to at least tolerate each other, giving them both treats at the same time, playing with them at the same time, and giving them affection at the same time.
- Pain: in case you feel pain, we will take you to the vet.
Furthermore, it's very helpful to structure a cat's day following its natural cycle of play, food, and rest . First, we simulate hunting through games, then we offer the main meal, and finally, we encourage a quiet moment of petting or simply companionship. This pattern helps their body understand that, after expending energy and eating, it's time to relax.
Create a relaxing atmosphere at home
Just as we have trouble sleeping in an uncomfortable environment, cats experience the same thing. A suitable environment greatly reduces anxiety and prevents many behavioral problems.
- A cozy cornerPlace your cat's bed in a quiet, warm, and dimly lit spot. Many cats prefer to sleep in high or hidden places, such as cat caves, boxes, or low shelves, where they feel safer.
- Resources well distributedMake sure your cat always has easy access to its food bowl, water bowl, scratching posts, and litter box, without other animals or doors blocking access. Every cat needs their own resources to feel safe.
- Less noise and distractionsBefore going to sleep, turn off bright lights, lower the volume of the television, and try to make the house as quiet as possible so that your activity level can decrease.
- Pheromones for calmingIf your cat is very nervous, pheromone diffusers like Feliway can be a good help in making him feel safe and calm.
More tips
If you need more advice, here it is  :
- The family environment should be quiet, so you have to avoid playing the music at full volume and making a lot of noise.
- Provide a safe place, a room where not many people go. In it you must put his feeder and drinker, and his bed.
- During the holidays, you can put on relaxing music (such as Asian or traditional American) to try to hide the noise from outside.
- Usa Feliway if you just adopted a second cat. It will help both of you to become friends sooner. You can also spray the carrier with this product half an hour before having to use it to take it, for example, to the vet.
- The litter tray has to be in a low-traffic room, away from your food and the washing machine.
- Take advantage of your free time to be with him. You will appreciate it.
Games and stimulation during the day
Often, the reason your cat is up all night is simple: it hasn't burned enough energy during the day . Cats need to move, think, and explore to stay balanced.
- Short and frequent gaming sessionsIt's better to play several short sessions spread throughout the day than one very long session every now and then. This prevents the buildup of energy and frustration.
- Simulate huntingUse feather wands, sound-making balls, or toys that move unpredictably to awaken their hunting instinct.
- Exploration and heights: Place tree-like scratching posts, secure shelves, or tunnels so it can climb, hide, and observe its territory from different points.
- Interactive food toysFeed dispensers or search games where you hide small treats allow them to use their sense of smell and mind at the same time.
Natural techniques to relax a cat
If your cat is very active or tends to get nervous at certain times, you can also use gentle and non-invasive techniques to help it calm down.
- soft massagesMany cats find it relaxing to be petted in areas such as the head, forehead, behind the ears or chin, always respecting their boundaries.
- Relaxing musicThere are playlists with soft sounds designed for cats, very useful at parties, during storms or noisy times.
- Your peaceful presenceSitting close, speaking softly, or simply sharing some quiet time can be a great support for an insecure cat.
Mistakes that can worsen nervousness
When trying to help our cat, we sometimes unintentionally make mistakes that increase its anxiety :
- Scolding or punishing himYelling, chasing him, or using punishments only makes him feel more insecure and reinforces his fear.
- Reinforcing undesirable behaviorsIf every time it meows at night you get up to give it food or attention, it will learn that this behavior works.
- constantly changing routineCats need predictability. Highly variable feeding, play, or rest schedules can destabilize them.
When to go to the vet
In most cases, nervous behavior improves with changes to their routine and environment. However, there are situations where it's best to consult a veterinarian to rule out illness or other physical causes.
Pay attention to these warning signs :
- Constant meowing for no apparent reason.
- Sudden changes in appetite or weight.
- Difficulty moving, stiffness or limping.
- Excessive hygiene or, conversely, neglect of hygiene.
- Sensitivity or signs of pain when touched.
- Urinating outside the litter box suddenly or repeatedly.
A professional will be able to make an appropriate diagnosis and recommend the most suitable treatment, and in some cases refer you to a feline ethologist to work on the behavior.
Creating a peaceful home , offering predictable routines, respecting their pace, and visiting the vet when something seems off are the best foundations for your cat to live a relaxed life. With patience, daily playtime, and a safe environment, most cats regain their equilibrium and return to enjoying their territory with calm and confidence. And if you still need more help, don't hesitate to write to us 😊