#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.
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