The 3 F’s (Freeze, Fight, or Flight) are common reactions to overwhelming situations. Most of us are familiar with the obvious signs of a cat feeling stressed. Attempting to escape the situation, panting, hissing, growling, piloerection (coat puffed out), and a thrashing tail are all indicative of an unhappy cat. If the perceived threat isn’t removed, physical reactions can quickly escalate to swatting, biting, and even elimination of bodily fluids.

Yet, sometimes the physical feedback is much more subtle. A frozen cat is not a calm cat, but instead has entered into a catatonic state. This can be very dangerous for the cat and the person handling him. Knowing how to recognize the less obvious physical reactions some cats experience will allow groomers and other pet professionals to adjust their methods in a timely manner. This will help reduce stress while endearing the groomer to the cat.

Following is the story of Bubba, a male Russian Blue, who maintained a 12-week schedule for grooming. He never put on a big display, but it was obvious that he wasn’t a fan of being groomed. Although he didn’t lash out physically to demonstrate his discomfort, he also never relaxed into the grooming process.

In this photo of him, there are 7 identifiable, albeit subtle, signs of stress.

By holding his body in a tight closed off upright position, Bubba could protect his more sensitive underside while still being able to track my every move. By keeping his head pulled down, he could make himself appear smaller and less threatening. I suspect his hope was that I would retreat rather than engage. A relaxed cat will often close their eyes slightly, but Bubba needed to be able to see as much as possible. This made it easy to notice the redness around his eyes. More than a window to the soul, the eyes are like a mood ring. Red = Stress! This coloring can also be caused by irritation, which in itself is stressful. Because cats are unable to sweat all over, other barometers of discomfort are wet paws and nose. And finally, the ears and whiskers are the easiest to interpret. A calm cat will be unperturbed; a defensive cat will be tense and on alert.

Unfortunately, due to Bubba’s severe chronic allergies and obesity, I wasn’t able to offer food treats to comfort him. He responded somewhat positively to affectionate petting, which likely kept his stress at a moderate level, but he would do little more than sniff in the direction of my hand when offered. He wouldn’t seek out any kind of physical connection. Thankfully, he wouldn’t recoil at my touch and would even lean into my hand slightly for a cheek scritch.

Because I understood how easily overwhelmed Bubba felt while out of his home, I took several precautions to ease his anxiety. Noise and movements were kept to a minimum. I worked swiftly and efficiently, but did not rush so the energy remained stable and calm. I ensured no other pets were in the grooming area during his visits. He was promptly retrieved afterward so that the session time was brief.

His guardians reported that he would be right back to his typical behavior upon returning home after grooming and showed no lingering effects of stress. Had I ignored the warning signs, his reaction could very well have been disastrous. Although he didn’t have a known condition, his obesity was a risk-factor for heart and lung problems. That risk is greatly exacerbated under extreme stress.

I encourage groomers to keep records describing behavioral and physical responses during their sessions, as well as prior to and after grooming. In addition, reviewing photos of groom cats can reveal clues we might not perceive firsthand.

Are there other subtle signs of stress that you have noticed in your groom cats? What have you discovered and utilized to make the experience more positive? Please leave a comment below.

Wishing you and your kitties happy, low-stress grooming!

Purrs,