Can Stress Cause Cancer in Cats? Here’s the Truth!
Finding out that your feline family member has cancer is without a doubt a very stressful situation for any cat parent. But here’s a question I’m sure you’ve already reflected about once or twice: can stress cause cancer in cats?
Follow along because we’re going to get to the bottom of this in just a bit. And I’m also going to share a no-fuss natural option to keep your pet as stress-free as possible, so make sure you read this all the way through.
How about we kick things off by going over the possible indicators that your cat is suffering from cancer?
Signs of Cancer in Cats
I’d just like to point out that detecting the possible indicators of cat cancer can be rather tricky. This is because cats are very good at hiding any signs of discomfort or pain. They also tend to lurk and keep out of sight when they’re feeling under the weather.
And it's not uncommon that most cases of cancer in cats have already become severe when they’re discovered because of these circumstances. This is the reason why having a regular bonding/cuddling session with your pet is a must to detect the following signs right away.
- Sudden weakness and lethargy
- Unexpected weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden appearance of bumps
- Difficulty doing the business
- Appearance of discharge or bleeding
- Strange and unpleasant body odors
This is just a summary of the usual signs of cancer in cats.
Can Stress Cause Cancer in Cats?
A study published in ScienceDirect highlights that stressors can contribute to the development of some “sickness behaviors” in cats. These include vomiting, decreased grooming and social interactions, as well as bouts of fever and diarrhea.
However, there is no concrete evidence that stress itself can set off the development of feline cancer. While chronic stress can potentially lead to other health and behavioral issues, cancer in cats is not one of them.
Why Helping Your Cat Deal with Stress Properly is Important
Unlike what a lot of people mistakenly believe, though, stress in cats isn’t something that should be disregarded at all. Apart from the sickness behaviors I emphasized earlier, chronic or acute stress can also eventually lead to other unpleasant effects.
And if your feline family member is constantly going through lots of stress—without any form of support or alleviation from your end—chances are he will also be prone to exhibit the following:
#1. Excessive vocalization
Your cat meows or “vocalizes” for a number of reasons. Apart from being his special way of greeting people and animals alike, your pet also meows when he is hungry or likes to have his water bowl refilled.
When your feline family member is going through a lot of stress, this vocalization can become more constant as well as significantly louder and more unhappy in tone. Moreover, one distinct characteristic displayed by stressed cats is that they tend to vocalize more in the evenings.
#2. Display of aggressive behavior
If your cat is experiencing extreme amounts of stress, it’s highly likely that he will become twitchy and aggressive over time. Regardless of how calm or timid your pet may be, chronic or acute stress will lead to aggressive or even hostile behavior sooner or later.
Some key indicators of aggression in cats that you should take note of include hissing and growling, crouching or “puffing up” when approached, as well as prominently showing their claws.
#3. Drastic change in bathroom habits
A change in bathroom habits can also mean that your feline family member is experiencing a lot of stress. This usually covers bouts of spontaneous peeing (and defecating) in the most unlikely of places.
Should your cat be going through acute or chronic stress, you will notice that he will have a few “accidents” here and there when he is startled or frightened. Interestingly, while most of these accidents are involuntary, some of them can also be deliberate as a form of defense mechanism.
#4. Bouts of territoriality
A cat experiencing chronic or acute stress can display exaggerated ways to assert his territory. He may spray urine on the walls of his “domain” or show extreme alertness, especially when other people or animals are around.
Besides being very vigilant to those who may be near his territory, a very stressed cat is also prone to attacking anyone and anything he thinks is intruding the same. Even inanimate objects such as toys and pillows won’t be spared in most cases, too.
A Reliable Go-To Option to keep Stress Away
Chronic or acute stress in cats can result in even more serious behavioral problems if not immediately dealt with the right way. Zumalka’s CALMPET is primarily designed to maintain the balance of your pet’s nervous system as well as improve his overall social behavior.
CALMPET features a variety of premium natural homeopathic ingredients that work in synergy to take care of tremors, fear, nervousness, hypersensitivity to noises, and apprehension, among others. And the best thing about this natural product? You just have to spray it and you’re good to go..
A Quick Recap
In a nutshell, we’ve discovered that while stress can trigger “sickness behaviors” in felines, there is no concrete scientific evidence that it can also set off the development of cancer in cats.
On the other hand, it is also crucial to properly deal with your pet’s stress as soon as possible. Paying no attention to the whole thing will just lead to unpleasant or even aggressive behavior before you know it.
Are you looking to learn more about taking care of your cat’s stress? Click here to get in touch with a pet specialist at any time.
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