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We like to think of our favourite felines as independent creatures, who love nothing more than to curl up in a ball and enjoy their own company. But as solo as they might seem, our cat pals really do miss us when we’re not at home, and sometimes this can lead to a serious case of separation anxiety, especially since the pandemic.
Lockdowns saw many of us spend much more time at home with our furry friends than before, and so adjusting back to the routine of normality can be pretty difficult for them to understand and accept. Although more prevalent in dogs, separation anxiety can occur in cats that have become used to a certain amount of quality time with their humans. Changes to routine that may see you out of the house more often than usual can cause stress to your kitten, despite them being fairly solitary animals by nature.
If you acquired your furbaby during one of the lockdowns like many did, this adjustment can be huge for them as they’ve known nothing different than curling up next to you all day everyday.
What are the signs of separation anxiety in cats?
Frustrated and anxious behaviour will usually be exhibited when you’re not at home, so a good tip could be to set up a camera to observe what they get up to and gauge their stress levels whilst you’re not around.
What to look out for:
- Restlessness
- Excessive meowing
- Scratching at the furniture
- Ignoring their food
- Accidents outside of the litter tray
- Jumping at loud noises and lots of hiding
If you notice any of these new behaviours not so typical of your cat, especially if your daily routine has changed, check in with your vet.
How to help my cat with separation anxiety
Whilst you’re at home, spend plenty of time bonding with your cat, playing and cuddling and doing whatever else it is they love to do. Make sure they feel safe home alone – providing lots of hiding spots, cosy corners and that all time favourite cardboard box will be super helpful for your little worrier. It might feel counterintuitive, but try not to make a big deal when leaving – leave your cat to continue snoozing the day away in ignorant bliss and you’ll be home before they know it.
