USING PLAY DURING MOMENTS OF ANXIETY
Some cats are naturally anxious while others can suddenly feel anxiety due to an underlying cause. Here are some examples:
Vet visits — there’s nothing more likely to have your cat running for the hills than the appearance of the dreaded cat carrier which usually heralds a harrowing vet visit. Keeping the carrier out so that it becomes part of your cat’s day to day cat furniture can help. Additionally, playing with your cat around the carrier and placing things in it that your cat really values, such as food treats, a pinch of catnip, or his favourite toy can encourage an association between the basket and a reward, rather than it being viewed as the portal to hell!
Fireworks — every cat responds differently to fireworks so it’s important to allow your cat to perform his own natural coping strategy. If he chooses to hide then he should be left to his own devices. Only use play to distract him if he seems amenable to it.
Visitors — nervous or sensitive cats may become anxious by the presence of unfamiliar people in the home and under these circumstances visitors should be politely told to completely ignore him. If curiosity does get the better of him, visitors can play gentle games using food treats, fishing rod toys, or feathered wands which can be gently waggled while they continue to chat with you.
I read a quote recently from a fellow cat behaviourist who said that playing with cats is like “having a first-aid kit for problem behaviour.” It encourages exploration and exercise, mimics hunting behaviours, provides challenge and stimulation, all of which can significantly reduce cat anxiety in many different contexts.