Himalayan cat

　　Cats are naturally timid; when encountering strangers, they often turn and run away. They usually prefer to watch humans from a distance. The so-called stress reaction occurs when cats are unexpectedly stimulated by external factors, entering an excessive self-defense state and overreacting to people or objects outside.

　　For example, they may attack their owners with punches and kicks, bark or howl loudly at high or low tones, becoming the typical mad cat depicted in naughty cat discipline stories. Or they may show abnormalities in eating and mental states.

　　Many factors can trigger cats. For instance, a thunderstorm accompanied by loud tire blowouts combined with unexpected touches by the owner can scare a cautious and sensitive cat into a frenzy.

　　Excessive tension in cats not only threatens human safety but, more worryingly, causes significant harm to the cat’s own condition. Stress can cause elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, and white blood cells. Additionally, primary stress can lead to secondary feline hepatic lipidosis, causing jaundice and liver cell damage. Some cats may also develop lower urinary tract syndrome, self-injurious behavioral disorders, and so forth. Therefore, avoiding stress in cats is crucial.

　　Because feline species have territorial awareness, they are the boss in their own domain. Moving to a new environment inevitably causes hesitation and requires time to adjust. Relatively speaking, kittens adapt more easily to new homes, with less stress and quicker recovery. Newly arrived kittens from a flight should not be overly stressed. Closely observe their every move but avoid transferring your own anxiety to them, as cats are very sensitive and can sense their owner’s tension, which worsens their stress. Just like people from the south traveling to the north or vice versa experience discomfort due to different habitats, cats also experience this. From my own experience, the best approach is to let the cat stay alone in a quiet room initially, without introducing it to other home cats. Prepare water and a litter box for it. Do not rush to feed dry food. Cats, especially kittens, that have just undergone long-distance travel can suffer indigestion if they eat immediately. If feeding is necessary, offer easily digestible soft food, such as canned food or softened kibble. Dry food can be offered one to two hours later. If the cat has a good appetite, be careful not to overfeed. Generally, kittens take one to three days to adapt. Another point to note is that newly arrived cats should not be bathed immediately — wait at least 10 to 14 days.

　　When moved to a new environment, unfamiliar surroundings pose a challenge to a cat’s health. Familiar environments and items no longer exist, meaning everything is new, and stress reactions will manifest. As a professional pet veterinarian, Zhang Xu told reporters that feline distemper (detailed introduction), parasites, vomiting, and fever all belong to stress responses in cats. Symptoms previously latent in the body may erupt due to the unfamiliar environment, so quiet rest for the cat becomes essential. Stray cats adopted by humans also experience stress. If a cat that is normally friendly outside becomes nervous at home, it is caused by the new environment being a source of stress. The first step is to arrange the cat’s “first room” properly, then help the cat familiarize itself with necessary places such as the litter box, water, and feeding areas. (Source：PetsZone)