London - Faced with an anxious cat, you would be forgiven for trying to calm it with a snuggle.
But stroking your pet could actually make it more tense, owners have been warned.
Research has revealed that more than half of people do not know how to cope with a distressed cat – and too many are letting affection cloud their judgement.
“Space and peace is often what they need,” said Nicky Trevorrow, from Cats Protection. “Being held or stroked for too long can be very stressful. They’re not small, furry humans so what would comfort us won’t necessarily comfort them.”
The charity also found that only a quarter of owners knew that repeatedly grooming one area was a sign of anxiety.
Half were unaware that strange animals coming into the house also had an effect.
Some 55 percent did not realise that forcing their pet to live with another cat or dog can cause stress – and 51 percent failed to recognise wetting and soiling in the house as a sign of unhappiness.
“Owners want their animals to be happy but our research has highlighted a lack of understanding of stress triggers for cats and how to deal with them,” she added.
It is recommended that cats always have somewhere to hide – such as an upturned box or igloo-style basket – so they can feel safe. They are also more comfortable if they can watch their surroundings from above, so like to have access to places such as high shelves or the tops of wardrobes.
Other animals should also be kept out of the house.
The research was carried out for Cat Watch 2014, a documentary on BBC Two, which follows the secret lives of 100 cats.
The programme tracks the animals using GPS and micro-cameras, and looks at their behaviour in three different environments. It also examines why they meow. - Daily Mail