Expert, science-backed advice from Dr. Ruth Roberts & the Two Crazy Cat Ladies
When our cats are stressed, it’s not always easy to spot. While hissing, hiding, or refusing food are obvious red flags, many subtler signs, like overgrooming, sleeping too much, or changes in litter box habits can signal anxiety in cats too.
We also often overlook how our own stress radiates through our homes and can directly affect the wellbeing of our furry friends. Had a rough day, week, or even month? Maybe the atmosphere between family members feels tense? It’s not always easy to admit that we could be contributing to our pet’s problems, but our dynamics and lifestyles can have a real impact on our cat’s happiness.
In an eye-opening episode of Healing Talis, Dr. Ruth Roberts sat down with Jae and Adrian of the Two Crazy Cat Ladies to learn more about those quiet red flags, unpack how emotional energy matters, and offer simple solutions that can help you calm a stressed cat.
Key Takeaways
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Lethargy, overgrooming, litter box slips, or uncharacteristic aggression are all subtle clues that might indicate your cat is stressed.
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Enrichment, routine, and gentle play can help reduce feline stress cheaply and effectively.
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Little changes make a big difference. These can include giving your cat safe places to eat, high spots to climb, and quiet retreats.
Want the full conversation?
Listen to this Healing Talis episode with Dr. Ruth Roberts and the Two Crazy Cat Ladies for practical tips, success stories, and holistic solutions to reduce cat stress here.
Why Is My Cat Stressed? Key Causes and Health Risks
Life in 2025 is pretty stressful. Not just for us, but increasingly for our pets as well. Cats in particular often absorb the tension in our homes, and what looks like indifference or laziness can actually be a sign of anxiety.
As Adrian (one half of the Two Crazy Cat Ladies) explains in this episode, “Boredom is stress. A cat that doesn’t like to play isn’t lazy. It’s anxious.’”
In many cases, excessive grooming, aggression, or bathroom accidents can be a sign of underlying stress, not poor behaviour or “naughtiness”. And, just like with humans, your cat's stress can move from being a psychological issue, to a physical one.
One study published in the March/April 2025 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, found that cats with high levels of anxiety, particularly those fearful of strangers, were much more prone to recurring episodes of idiopathic cystitis, a painful bladder inflammation with no clear physical cause.
Indeed, feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common cause of lower urinary tract signs in cats. These might present as blood in the urine, straining, frequent trips to the litter box, or even accidents.
Crucially, stress is a major driver of these issues. Scientific reviews increasingly link everyday environmental stressors to changes in the neuroendocrine system and the bladder, meaning psychological tension can show up for our cats as real, painful urinary disease.
But, as alluded to earlier, stress in cats doesn’t just come from their own environment. It can also come from us.
Can Cats Sense Human Stress and Emotions?
Ever feel like you and your cat are on the same wavelength, like they somehow know when you’re feeling down? This notion, that our cats can “feel” our emotions, for some sounds a bit “woo woo”, but is actually supported by a growing body of scientific evidence.
One peer-reviewed study published in PLOS ONE found that owners who were highly stressed were also more likely to report stress-related and behavioral issues in their cats.
On the flip side, positive traits such as conscientiousness in pet parents were found to often correspond with calmer feline companions.
A 2020 study published in Animals (National Library of Medicine) found that cats can match human and feline emotional sounds with the correct facial expressions. They reacted with higher stress to negative cues like anger or hissing, and were calmer when asked to respond to positive signals.
Ultimately, the research showed that cats don’t just recognize our emotions; they also absorb the stress those emotions create.
As Adrian from the Two Crazy Cat Ladies so perfectly put it, “Cats mirror our energy. If we’re anxious, they carry that. If we’re calm, they feel safe.’”
Why Routine Is Important for Reducing Cat Stress
One of the biggest stress triggers for cats (and most pets) is a disruption in routine. A 2011 study from Ohio State University, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that even healthy cats can develop “sickness behaviors” such as vomiting, food refusal, and litter box avoidance when their environment or schedule changes. These behaviors tripled during periods of routine disruption.
The challenge for pet parents is that stress responses often look identical to genuine illness, making it hard to know what’s really going on. That’s why routine isn’t just helpful for house cats; it’s essential.
Stable feeding times, a clean litter box, and consistent interaction create a rhythm that supports both physical and emotional health.
How to Reduce Cat Stress at Home: Simple Steps That Work
There are a number of ways you can help reduce your cat’s stress and improve their wellbeing and environment. Here are some top tips:
Audit their space
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Separate food and water bowls so your cat can see while eating.
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Move litter boxes away from noisy areas like laundry rooms.
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Add vertical or hidden spots that offer safe retreats for your cat.
Solidify their routine
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Keep mealtimes, litter cleans, and play sessions as predictable as possible.
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Dedicate 10–20 minutes per day to focused play. Wand toys mimic chase sequences and can restore confidence in anxious or overwhelmed cats.
Create a calming atmosphere
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Play classical music or species-specific music. (There’s a ton of supporting research on this; including from one 2019 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery that found cats exposed to music composed specifically for their species showed significantly lower stress scores during veterinary exams).
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Try herbal safe spaces (cat-friendly herbs like catnip or calendula) for self-selection.
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Use sound or scent cues to subtly anchor calm.
Case Study: How Play Therapy Can Reduce Cat Aggression and Stress
One proven way to ease cat aggression and stress is through play therapy, a method the Two Crazy Cat Ladies have seen work again and again. Take “Poo Bear,” for example, a cat who came to Jae and Adrian fearful, and quick to lash out.
It was simple one-on-one play sessions, free from other pets or distractions, that helped Boo Bear. He quickly shifted from defensive to confident, calmly approached the stairs, and stopped swatting at the other cats.
While natural remedies can certainly help reduce anxiety, cases like this (of which there are many!) show that meaningful change often just requires focused, gentle engagement.
Natural Ways to Reduce Cat Stress and Anxiety
Overall, it’s important to recognize stress in cats isn’t always obvious, but its impact on health and behavior is real. By learning to spot the subtle signs of cat stress; like overgrooming, litter box changes, or unusual lethargy, and by creating a calm, consistent routine, you can make a huge difference to your cat’s wellbeing.
Enrichment, safe spaces, gentle play, and your own stress management can all contribute to a more relaxed and happier home environment. With a few simple changes, you can reduce your cat’s stress naturally and help them truly thrive.
🎧 For more insights, stories, and practical solutions, listen to the full Healing Talis episode with Dr. Ruth Roberts and the Two Crazy Cat Ladies here.
