Cats are natural loners and quite antisocial, right? Well, not really. In this article, we will explain that cats are not as withdrawn as you might think.
The truth is, according to a recent study, pet cats form strong bonds with their human parents much like dogs and children do and feel more secure when their owners are around. In fact, based on a survey study, more than 1 in 10 cats exhibit signs of separation anxiety when left alone.
Keep reading as we will debunk the myth that cats prefer being alone and tell you everything about cat separation anxiety – definition, causes, and solutions.
What is Separation Anxiety in Cats?
Cat separation anxiety is defined as “dislike of and discomfort with solitude.” Separation anxiety is a serious behavioral issue that warrants quick and adequate professional attention.
According to Today’s Veterinary Practice, there are several misconception regarding separation anxiety that need to be cleared early on – “The owner should understand that his or her pet is not acting this way out of spite or anger; that the owner didn’t cause the behavior by loving the pet too much, spoiling it, or not being dominant; and that the pet is not bored and getting another pet will not help.”
Signs of Cat Separation Anxiety
The typical dog with separation anxiety will howl, bay, or demolish the house in a frantic attempt to cope with its emotions. Cats are quite the opposite – they suffer in silence and often exhibit signs that cannot be straightforwardly attributed to feeling lonely.
Based on a retrospective study involving 136 cats, the most common behavioral issues triggered by separation anxiety are:
- Inappropriate urination (96 cats)
- Inappropriate defecation (48 cats)
- Excessive vocalization (16 cats)
- Destructiveness (12 cats)
- Excessive grooming (8 cats).
According to another study based on a questionnaire-based survey, the most common sign of separation anxiety is destructiveness, and the second most common is excessive vocalization.
Let’s take a closer look at the cat’s version of manifesting separation anxiety.
Kitty is Unusually Vocal
Excessive meowing, crying, or moaning is a red flag indicating separation anxiety. However, the increased vocalization is hard to notice as the cat becomes overly chatty when the owner leaves the house. Set up a voice recorder if you suspect your cat has separation anxiety and want to check if she starts vocalizing as soon as you close the door.
Kitty Overeats or not at All
Extreme fluctuations in appetite are another sign of separation anxiety. Some cats will refuse to eat for the entire period they spend alone, while others will be obsessed with eating.
Kitty Grooms Excessively
Excessive self-grooming is a typical displacement behavior – the cats engage in extensive grooming sessions while alone. However, over time, it can progress to compulsive self-grooming with the cat grooming at all times regardless of the owner’s presence. In such cases, there is a considerable risk of developing skin sores and hair loss. Separation anxiety-associated excessive grooming is more common in female cats.
Kitty Refuses to Use the Litter Box
When a house trained cat starts doing her business everywhere except in the litter box, the first things that come to mind are litter box aversion and substrate aversion. However, in most cases, the actual culprit is separation anxiety. Interestingly, cats with separation anxiety tend to make mistakes around the door and near the owner’s personal belongings (in one study three-quarters of the cats peed on the owner’s bed).
Kitty is Destructive
When an otherwise calm and mellow cat starts leaving scratch marks over the floor or keeps pushing objects from the table, it tries to get your attention. Cats with separation anxiety often revert to destructive behaviors. This is not out of spite or revenge – it is a coping mechanism. Separation anxiety-triggered destructiveness is more common in make cats.
Kitty is Overly Happy when You Return
If your cat couldn’t care less when you come home and suddenly is jumping to the roof and being extra cuddly, chances are it has separation anxiety. This sign is hard to spot with cats that are generally affectionate and eager to display feelings.
Kitty is Vomiting (more than usual)
Cats are notorious for their vomiting – they can vomit for no reason and at all times. However, a cat with separation anxiety is likely to vomit more than usual. Interestingly, separation anxiety vomiting usually occurs when the cat is alone, while regular vomiting can occur at any time.
Kitty is Obsessed with Escaping
A cat with separation anxiety sees the environment as solitary confinement and is willing to do everything in its powers to escape. The escape attempts are often accompanied by biting and scratching at the door or windows.
What Causes Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety in cats is a serious issue that can stem from a combination of factors and situations. In general, the factors leading to separation anxiety can be classified as:
- Genetic: oriental breeds like Burmese and Siamese cats are more frequently diagnosed with separation anxiety than cat breeds with robust temperaments like the Maine Coon.
- Environmental: orphaned and early-weaned kittens, as well as store-bought kittens, are at a higher than average risk of developing separation anxiety.
Statistically speaking, separation anxiety is also more likely to occur in the following scenarios:
- Cats living as the only pet in the household
- Cats lacking entertaining toys
- Cats with owners aged 18-35 years
Other established risk factors for separation anxiety include:
- Spending extended periods of time alone
- Changes in the schedule
- Changes in the family makeup
- Living in single-owner households
However, these are just statistics and reports; in practice, given the right circumstances, all cats can develop separation anxiety.
How to Help Relieve Cat Separation Anxiety
Relieving cat separation anxiety requires a multimodal approach. For easy understanding, we will classify the methods into three groups:
- Environmental management
- Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals
- Behavior modification
Several simple environmental modifications can help manage your cat’s anxiety:
- Create a schedule and be vigilant about it as pets with anxiety disorders thrive on patterns and consistency
- Make sure your cat’s environment is rich enough and serves as a good source of physical and mental stimulation
- Ignore the attention-seeking behaviors but make sure your cat gets your attention when the circumstances are right.
Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals
This is the second level of solution and is practiced when environmental management is not enough. Although there are medications formulated for stress management, recently, the popularity of calming supplements is on the rise.
If your cat has separation anxiety, try our Honest Paws Calm Cat Soft Chews. They are made of carefully selected premium-quality ingredients (chamomile, passion flower, CBD oil, and silvervine) blended in a perfect mixture that maintains calmness and promotes healthy brain activity.
Behavior modification is the pet equivalent to cognitive therapy in humans – its goals are teaching coping skills and changing the cat’s emotional response to the stressor (being left alone). Behavior modification for separation anxiety includes two techniques:
- Relaxation exercises
What to Avoid when Managing Cat Separation Anxiety?
If you are researching separation anxiety relief methods in cats, you have probably come across different advice. However, not all of them are efficient. In fact, some can make things worse. Here is what you must not do:
- Get another cat – there is a popular misconception that getting an additional cat will make the old one feel less lonely and anxious. The truth is getting a new cat is too stressful and can aggravate the stress pressure on the already nervous cat.
- Punish the cat – punishment is never the answer as yelling and hitting cannot solve emotional disorders. They can only aggravate things and make the treatment longer.
- Practice confinement – in an attempt to limit the damage, some owners may feel the need to confine their cats. Incarceration makes the anxiety worse and does not help in the long run.
How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Cats
Separation anxiety is not something you can prevent 100%. However, some things can help decrease the chances of your cat developing separation anxiety in the long run.
Choose the Right Cat or a Pair of Cats
As mentioned, some kittens are more likely to develop separation anxiety. If possible, choose a confident and well-socialized kitten or adult cat. It is also a good idea to get a pair of already bonded cats.
Positively Encourage Your Cat’s Independence
Do not support your cat’s clinginess. Your cat needs to understand that there will be parts of the day while you are away. Compensate for your absence while you are at home by spending time with your cat.
Provide Correct Environmental Enrichment
Make sure your cat has tons of entertaining toys and allow her to spend some time outdoors, as this offers both physical and mental stimulation. To keep your cat safe while outdoors, you can install a particular fence or a “catio” or simply get a collar and leash and go out for a walk.
Practice Low-Key Departures
Do not make a big fuss of leaving the house – no long and emotional farewells, no coming back to kiss your cat goodbye. If you do not create a spectacle, your cat will not feel like leaving is a big deal. The same rule applies to returns, not just departures.
Our Final Thoughts
Female cats self-groom excessively while males become frantically destructive – just like with anything else, cats are unique in how they manifest separation anxiety.
Today, separation anxiety is an increasingly common issue affecting the physical and mental wellbeing of modern cats.
Luckily, your cat’s separation anxiety can be addressed with the right approach and combination of calmness-promoting products and behavior modification techniques.