The #1 Stress Reliever Your Cat Is Missing

Most cat parents skip this—and it’s costing their cats peace of mind.

Hey Whisker Crew,

Let’s be honest—we all think we’d know if our cat was stressed.

Hiding? Hissing? Acting wild when the doorbell rings? Sure, we’d spot that.

But this week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, I sat down with Jae and Adrienne—aka The Two Crazy Cat Ladies—and they reminded me that stress in cats is often a lot quieter… and easier to miss.

They shared how feline stress isn’t just about the loud reactions. It’s the slow, subtle shifts in behavior that many of us overlook.

Things like:

• Sleeping more than usual

• Refusing to play

• Skipping meals

• Overgrooming

• Using the litter box inconsistently

• Or just seeming… off

Because cats are stoic by nature, they don’t always let us know when something is bothering them. That means it’s up to us to pay closer attention.

You can listen to a brief clip of my interview with The Two Crazy Cat Ladies Here…

One thing that stood out to me was how even simple changes in your environment—like bringing in a new mattress or shifting your schedule—can throw your cat off emotionally. Jae and Adrienne talked about the importance of noticing what’s changed if your cat suddenly acts differently. Is something new in their space? Have you been out of routine? Are you more stressed yourself?

It’s all connected.

They even mentioned something I’d never really considered: just talking to your cat about what’s coming. Letting them know, “Hey, someone’s coming to install the new couch today,” can help them prepare for change.

It might sound silly—but the more we treat our cats like the emotionally intelligent beings they are, the better we’ll support their wellbeing.

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✅ The Two Crazy Cat Ladies' Action Steps for Cat Parents

Here’s what Jae and Adrienne recommend (and they practice these with their five cats):

1. Play every day.
Play is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to reduce stress in cats. It’s not just entertainment—it activates their prey sequence and gives them purpose. Even 5 minutes makes a difference.

2. Stick to a routine.
Cats feel safest when they know what’s coming. Feed, scoop, and play around the same times each day. Routines lower stress and have even been shown in studies to reduce disease markers.

3. Observe behavior changes.
If your cat suddenly stops eating breakfast or refuses to play, ask: What changed? A shift in their environment or your routine could be the cause.

4. Try individual play sessions.
Cats aren’t pack animals—they’re solitary hunters. Some cats may enjoy group play, but many prefer one-on-one time. Tune into their preferences.

5. Communicate changes.
Before big disruptions (like construction, new furniture, or travel), let your cats know. Talk to them. Observe how they respond. Even a little heads-up can help.

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🧡 What I’m trying with Niko & Milo

Truth? I haven’t been as consistent with our play routine lately. I used to do quick play sessions before breakfast, but that’s fallen off on busy mornings.

After this conversation, I’m getting back to:

• Daily 5-minute morning play

• Keeping meals on a tighter schedule

• Noticing small shifts (especially when I move things around at home)

• Being more intentional about including Niko and Milo in the rhythm of my day

It’s easy to assume our cats are fine just because they’re not causing a scene. But after this chat, I’m reminded that “quiet” doesn’t always mean “calm.”

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🐱 This Week’s Cattitude Prompt:

What’s one small change you can make this week to give your cat more consistency—or more engagement?

Could be:

• A daily play session

• Feeding them a few minutes earlier

• Just watching their body language a little more closely

Let me know what you’re trying—I’d love to hear it.

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🎧 Listen to this week’s episode:

"Is Your Cat Stressed? The Signs Most Pet Parents Miss" with The Two Crazy Cat Ladies.
👉 Click here to listen to the full episode now or search Golden Whiskers wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for reading, thanks for loving your cats, and thanks for being part of the Golden Whiskers family.

Until next time,
💛
Scott | Golden Whiskers 🐾