Do cats get separation anxiety? Although separation anxiety in cats is discussed less than in dogs, cats can certainly suffer from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in cats happens when the cat gets upset or distressed due to the absence of their owner or a familiar person.
In this post, we’ll cover:
-
- 6 Signs of Cat Separation Anxiety
- 4 Common Causes of Cat Separation Anxiety
- 4 Ways to Help Cat Separation Anxiety
- How to Understand and Communicate With Your Cat
WATCH MY VIDEO: Separation Anxiety in Cats
6 Signs of Cat Separation Anxiety
6 Signs of Cat Separation AnxietyThe six most common signs of separation anxiety in cats are:
1. Following their owner around or being “clingy” when their owner is home.
2. Excessive crying or meowing when the owner leaves or is getting ready to leave. If this is happening, read my post, Why Does My Cat Keep Meowing? (includes video).
3. Peeing outside the litter box (typically on the couch or the owner’s bed). If this is happening, read my post, How to Stop a Cat from Urinating on the Bed (includes video).
4. Destructive behavior like chewing or scratching furniture. If this is happening, read my post, How to Stop a Cat from Scratching Furniture (includes video).
5. Changes in appetite. This can mean eating less, or eating more.
6. Excessive grooming or licking. If this is happening, read my post, Excessive Grooming in Cats (includes video), and my post, Why Do Cats Lick People? (includes video).
4 Common Causes of Cat Separation Anxiety
4 Common Causes of Cat Separation AnxietyThere are several things that can cause separation anxiety in cats. The 4 most common causes are:
1. Changes in routine or environment. Cats are extremely sensitive to change. For more information about this, read my post, Cat Stress Relievers: 10 Things That Stress Your Cat Out (includes video).
2. A new pet or person in the household. Again, change is hard for cats to handle. If you’ve had a baby, gotten a new pet, or even a new boyfriend/girlfriend, this can upset your cat!
3. Past traumas like neglect, abuse or abandonment. A frightened animal just breaks my heart! For help with this, read this post from Cats.com called, 9 Common Signs Your Cat is Traumatized and How to Help.
4. Dependence on their owner. My current cat, Whiskers, is a total Mama’s Boy! I adopted him as a feral kitten, so I showered him with tons of love and affection when I first brought him home. Now he’s super attached to Mommy!
Fortunately, it’s not excessive, but I do try to do things to make him independent and help him to bond with others; not just Mommy.
That’s him in the picture snuggling with me on the couch. Awwww….
4 Ways to Help Cat Separation Anxiety
4 Ways to Help Cat Separation AnxietyIf your cat suffers from separation anxiety, there are several ways you can help your cat.
1. Gradually increase the time you’re gone. If your cat is new to your home, try leaving for short periods of time, then gradually increasing the time you’re gone. This will help them to adjust to your not being home.
2. Create a comfortable, safe place for your cat. Give your cat their own bed, with a blanket and toys. You may try putting a piece of your clothing such as a t-shirt or pajama top in your cat’s bed when you’re gone. Your scent will be comforting.
3. Provide ways to keep your cat busy when you’re not home. You can provide things for your cat like a window perch, scratching posts, toys or a cat tree to keep them happy when you’re not home.
For lots of ideas on this, read my post, How to Keep Indoor Cats Happy (includes video).
4. Try cat calming products like pheromone sprays or diffusers. These are products that dispense cat pheromones that help your cat feel relaxed and safe.
You can find several products to help with cat separation anxiety on Amazon here.
If you feel your cat’s separation anxiety is severe, consult your veterinarian for advice.
For more help understanding cat separation anxiety, watch cat expert Jackson Galaxy’s video, Does Your Cat Have Separation Anxiety?
Understanding Cat Language
I can recommend a great resource to help you understand your cat and learn to communicate with your cat effectively It’s The Cat Language Bible from KingdomOfPets.com.
You can read my full review here, or check it out here.
You can also request a free cat lovers’ eBook called, If Your Cat Could Talk, Here are 5 Urgent Messages They’d Say!
I Donate to Animal Charities
I Donate to Animal CharitiesThank you for visiting my website! I hope the information I’ve provided in this post will help your cat’s separation anxiety.
Please feel free to comment below this post with questions, or share ideas for other cat owners about ways to help cats with separation anxiety!
I receive a small commission on some of the products and services I recommend on my website. I donate 10% of my earnings to the animal charities listed here.
If you found this site helpful, please share it with other cat owners! Thanks so much. Debra
Check Out My Other Posts About Cat Care
