anxiety

Anxiety is an emotional state in the cat, as it is in people. Anxiety occurs when a cat is in an environment or situation where he or she feels insecure and cannot predict what will happen. It is a problem for a cat's welfare if it feels anxious for more than short periods of time. Cats can respond to anxiety in different ways. Some cats can become very inactive, quiet and still. Other cats display more active responses, including behaviours that owners find unacceptable, such as urine spraying or vocalizing. Punishing cats for these behaviours is likely to make them more anxious and may make the situation worse. Help is available from veterinary surgeons, or by referral from your vet to a behaviourist who specialises in dealing with the behavioural problems of cats and other pets.

SOURCE: cats.org.uk