We’ve already discussed how to tell when your cat is stressed, anxious, or depressed, and what to do about it. But, of course, it would be better to prevent the stress in the first place. If it has a physical cause, that may not be possible. Mental stress, however, can be cut down with an enriched environment – and supplying that is not as hard or expensive as it sounds.

Dr. Lorie Huston, a long time vet and writer on pet health, says there are a few things cats need to be able to go about normal cat behaviors. If there is more than one cat in the house, each will probably need its own.

• A hiding place. This is why cats spend so much time under beds and other furniture – they need places where they can feel safe, or just private. Cat beds, open carriers, or even cardboard boxes will work.
• A perch – a high place where the cat can, again, feel safe, and also see what’s going on. He may find his own, somewhere on top of the furniture, or you may prefer to get a cat castle.
• Something to scratch (if you don’t provide this, the cat will start scratching anyway, so . . . ). It’ll sharpen claws and stretch muscles.
• Toys. These help cats feel like the predators they’re made to be. They also provide exercise and a chance for you and your cat to interact – which isn’t always easy with such a solitary animal.
• Food and water they don’t have to fight over. This may mean separate feeding places for each cat.
• An adequate litter box. Of course, it should be clean, large enough, and in a private place. But, if possible, have one more box than the number of cats. This is another thing they don’t like to share.