From the tiniest kittens to those seriously giant Maine Coon cats, felines have a reputation for being…disagreeable. One second they’re loving the attention, and the next they can’t stand to be touched. They keep you on your toes, but that cattitude gets easier to predict with time. You get to know all those likes, dislikes, and crazy quirks.
But what happens when kitty’s already tremulous moods get even more unreliable? She might start swatting and hissing for no reason or avoid people altogether. That’s when you know something is wrong. You can’t have a sit-down chat about her feelings, but for the sake of your sanity and your cat’s well-being, you can do a little digging. If your cat is moody in ways you just don’t understand, it might be for one of these common reasons.
#1. They Don’t Feel Well
The most common and most urgent reason why your cat is moody has to do with her health. Think about it: when you don’t feel well, you don’t typically act like a ray of sunshine. You get grumpy and defensive, and your cat does the same thing.
Because cats can’t tell us when they’re hurting, their moody behavior is often one of the only noticeable symptoms. If your cat behaves normally most of the time but freaks out if you try to pet a specific body part, that’s a sign she might be injured. It could be a muscle strain, sprain, or arthritis. There’s also the possibility your cat is suffering from something more internal, like cancer, hyperthyroidism, or aortic thromboembolism.
Besides being moody, a cat in pain might also stop eating, avoid their litter box, or hide for long periods of time. It’s important to talk to a vet to rule out medical issues and catch potential problems before it’s too late.
#2. They’re Feeling Overwhelmed
A cat’s life isn’t all catnip and feather toys. Your feline feels stress, anxiety, and confusion just like you do. When those emotions become overwhelming, it can cause your kitty to act out in unpredictable ways.
Think about what’s happening in your house around the time your cat is moody. If your household is particularly busy with kids rushing to get ready for school or family members cheering loudly for their favorite football team, all that action might be too much for your cat to handle. Some cats prefer their environments to be calm and quiet.
This scenario even applies to cats that have lived in the same home for years. If the energy level in your house hasn’t changed but your cat’s mood has, it could be a simple sign that your cat is getting older. The best thing to do is to be conscious of the activity level when you know your cat is around. And when you can’t control the chaos, make sure kitty has a safe place to go where she can escape and relax. A comfy crate tucked into the quietest corner of the house will work nicely.
#3. They’re Afraid
Besides being generally overwhelmed with emotions, cats also feel fear. When you think your cat is moody, she might actually be expressing her fear about a specific situation or stimulus.
Loud noises are a big fear for cats, but even unexpected, seemingly-harmless things can make your cat feel afraid. A new piece of furniture or a different smell could be scary. Your cat might also get territorial because she’s afraid someone’s going to steal her food or toys.
Deciphering exactly what a cat is afraid of isn’t easy. It’ll take a lot of observation and understanding to put yourself inside your cat’s mind. Take things slow, and when you notice your cat being moody, write down exactly where she was, what she was doing, what you were doing, and what was around her at the time. Keep a journal, and as time passes, you might be able to pick up on patterns that tell you what your cat is afraid of.
#4. They Need More Stimulation
While some cats act moody because of too much going on, other cats change their behavior because they’re bored. Cats do a lot of sleeping and lounging around, but they still need physical and mental stimulation. Some cat owners get complacent with how well cats can take care of themselves.
Regardless of a cat’s age, you should play with them or engage them in some kind of activity as many times a day as you can. Cats do best with short bursts of intense activity multiple times a day. Playing with her favorite humans is best, but you can also engage your cat with interactive toys and feeders. If she’s never bored, she’ll be less likely to act moody.
#5. They’re Resisting Change
Cats aren’t the best at accepting change. A new baby in the house, a home renovation, or even a slight shift in their routine can throw them off balance and cause them to act out. Some cats stay rock solid in the face of anything you throw at them, but that isn’t the case for most of our feline friends. They like things how they are, and they don’t want it to change.
Keeping your cat on a predictable routine will help keep her comfortable. Offer meals at the same time everyday, adopt the same quiet hours, and it’d be helpful to make your comings and goings as predictable as possible. If you have no choice but to switch it up, you could cajole your cat into acceptance with special treats, playtime, or uninterrupted quiet time depending on what she’d appreciate most.
No matter how your cat is behaving, it’s important to know that changes in mood are almost always your cat’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Cats communicate through actions, and it’s up to you to interpret those behaviors. A moody cat could be confused, bored, afraid, or even in pain. You can improve your cat’s overall quality of life (and save yourself some kitty cat scars) by taking the time to figure out what’s going on.
