Do Cats Tell Us Time? How Regular Changes Can Stress Your Cat

Your cat’s “internal clock” depends on the setting. Find out how changes in their daily schedule can cause stress, signs to watch for, and how to keep your cat feeling secure.

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You may have noticed that your cat you know when it’s time to eat. Like clockwork, walking and walking begins. My cat Clarabelle used to go to bed at 10pm, even if I was a light sleeper. These daily routines provide structure and predictability to your cat’s life. Cats are known to be creatures of habit, but did you know how sensitive they can be to change?

Do Cats Tell Us Time? Understanding Your Cat’s Internal Clock

Yes, cats can “tell time,” but not by reading a clock. They use a combination of robust internal circadian rhythms and robust mechanisms to accurately predict daily events such as feeding or your return home. They rely on natural cues, such as changes in lighting and, for example, the sound of your car, to plan their day. This is how cats who are fast fed at 5pm will remind you at 4:59 it’s dinner time.

Cats know it’s dinner time through a combination of a precise internal biological clock (circadian rhythm), habit-based associative learning, and environmental cues.

Changes in Routines Cause Stress in Cats

Cats are creatures of habit and are known to dislike change.

A 2011 study of laboratory cats in a research program showed how much cats can be affected by changes in their behavior. The cats and their general care were followed for about three years. Meanwhile, life happens. Kittens are exposed to “unexpected external events (UEE)” that include the absence of their regular caregiver, changes in their routine care and feeding, and lack of enrichment (eg, music, playtime) for several weeks.

Stress Response in Cats

The cats’ responses were significant: compared to cats receiving standard care, cats undergoing the transition were more likely to vomit, have diarrhea, urinate outside their litter boxes, and eat less than usual, even when they were physically healthy. Researchers call these clinical signs “sick behavior.”

Cats experiencing the transition are more likely to vomit, have diarrhea, and urinate outside their litter boxes.

Although the relationship between stress and health was not a new concept, it was not known how strong this relationship was in cats. “This was the first study to investigate sick behavior in cats as a response to mental stress or UEE,” commented Dr. Judi Stella, lead author of the 2011 study, and Senior Scientist at Purdue University, where she studies dog and cat welfare and behavior.

“Our findings can be directly transferred to domestic cats. For example, if the owner is out of town and the cat is cared for by a pet sitter, the cat can perceive a change in the sitter in the same way as the study cats.”

Although we cannot prevent cats from experiencing any stress, we can help them adapt by introducing changes gradually. Dr. Stella suggests that “bringing cats together with different people and experiences will help them cope with stress later in life.”

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Common Sources of Stress in Cats

Here are some of the most common sources of stress for cats in the home, and how you can help.

1. Changes to the Daily Schedule

If possible, try to set a schedule that you can stick to every day, regardless of your work hours. Feed your cat, clean its litter box, and play with it at the same time every day.

• If you are going to go for more than 12 to 24 hours, have a vet take care of your cat, trying to stick to the cat’s normal routine as much as possible. As Dr. Stella recommends, “Having a pet sitter that the cat is familiar with will help the cat feel less threatened by the change.”
• Leave your cat and things that smell like you—dirty socks or a lightly worn t-shirt can be comforting.
• Don’t forget the fun stuff! Food puzzles, safe-alone toys, bird videos, and a sunny window perch can keep your cat busy while you’re gone.
• Timed servers It can help you feed your cat on their regular schedule, but it shouldn’t replace basic grooming (you still need a pet sitter!).

2. Changes in Family Members:

• That happy visitors or adding a new housemate (like a child, romantic partner, or new companion animal), personnel changes are HUGE for cats. New creatures in the house mean new smells, sounds, interactions, and habits.
• Give your cat places to hide if they are not sure about the guests. Never let the cat out of its hiding place or force it to interact with visitors.
• Make sure your cat still has easy access to important supplies (litter box, food, water, safe places) if they are not ready to meet visitors or new family members.
• Take the time to introduce your cat new sounds and smells BEFORE the baby arrives. Pair these experiences with treats, so that your cat has a good relationship with them.
• Go slow with introductions. For new pets in the home, make a slow, controlled introduction based on positive experiences.
• It looks for these signs. Excessive hiding, conflict, and sick behavior are warning signs—seek help from your veterinarian and a trained behaviorist.

3. Noise or Environmental Changes

• Be considerate for your cat’s best hearing. Construction and renovations are loud to the sensitive ears of cats. White noise or other noise breakers (think classical music) can make scary sounds less scary.
• Plan a safe room and encourage your cat to spend time away from the main source of noise.
• Seek help to your vet for short-term medications to reduce your cat’s stress and anxiety.
• They went at their own pace. If you add or move furniture, let your cat explore the changes on its own time. Never force a cat to explore before it’s ready, for example, by picking them up and placing them on that new couch—forced interactions often backfire and increase fear.

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4. Crate or Litter Changes

• If you want to try a new type of food or cat litter, offer change as an option. Place the new food in the bowl next to their regular food; add a new litter box with a new type of litter rather than taking out all the litter at once.
• Let your cat take time to show them what they like and accept what they like. They may be perfectly happy with their current diet or junk!

Our cats rely on us to reduce uncertainty about things they can’t control, like where they are fed. The cycle does just that! While it’s okay to give your cats something new, such as a new toy or cat bed, it should be done in a stable environment.

Putting It All Together

Our cats rely on us to reduce uncertainty about things they can’t control, like where they are fed. The cycle does just that! While it’s okay to give your cats something new, such as a new toy or cat bed, it should be done in a stable environment.

Recognizing stress in your cat is the first step to helping them. Dr. Stella advises, “Monitoring sick behavior can be an easy way for owners to detect stress…this behavior is often considered “normal” but is often a response to a perceived threat.”