- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Wild or domesticated, our feline friends are known for their independent personalities. So separation anxiety is the last thing they go through, right? Not necessarily.
Cats maybe become lonely, and just as people feel nervous or anxious, they can experience similar emotions. Dr. Amy Attas, veterinarian, founder of City Pets, and is a member of the University of Pennsylvania Advisory Board. “It’s a stress response observed when a cat is separated from a person or people with whom they have a close relationship.”
It’s more common than you think: A research showed that about 13% of cats have at least one behavior related to separation anxiety, and the pandemic seems to have exacerbated this number.
“Recently research showed an increase in the number of cats exhibiting separation anxiety, which is believed to be the result of people returning to work after staying home or working from home during the first two years of the pandemic.” Attas noted.
Research suggests that cats fall into one of two attachment patterns:
- A ‘safe’ attachment is when the cat has low stress levels away from the owner and is not overly attention-seeking when reunited.
- The ‘insecure’ attachment – to which separation anxiety falls – comes in many forms: Ambient (when the cat also attached to the owners and constantly want to be close to them); avoidance (when the cat appears more aloof); and disorganized (when the cat exhibits a combination of the two).
iStock / Elitsa Deykova
Symptoms and Differential Signs of Anxiety in Cats
A variety of symptoms can indicate breakup anxiety. Note, however, that “just having one or two symptoms doesn’t mean your cat has [it],” speak Lauren ParschCat Behavior Consultant.
Some cats will show symptoms in your presence, while others do so only when their owners are away. Mikel Delgado, Rover’s resident cat expert on The Dog People Panel, suggests: “Webcams are a great way to gauge if your cat is upset by your absence.
What anxiety symptoms can you monitor at home? Some of the most popular include:
- Signs of Excessive Attachment. Cats don’t want to leave your side and keep coming to pet and cuddle.
- Destructive rake. Ordinary cat rake destruction Parsch explains: “to relieve stress and leave visual and scent cues, helping them feel calmer.
- Excessive brushing. Your cat can excessive grooming when you are about to leave or when you get home, although they can also do the same when they are left alone.
- Anxiety behaviors. These might include “anxiety, hiding, blocking the door, or crying when you are about to leave,” says Parsch.
- Urinating or defecating out of the toilet tray. Your cat “can get dirt on clothes, bedding, or furniture,” says Attas — and this can happen when cats are left alone, too.
- Eat food too quickly. This can also happen when you’re out of the house, Parsch notes.
And what about when you’re away? Some of the signs and behaviors are:
- Bigger than usual. This may be related to “excessive yowling, meowor cry,” Parsch said.
- Waiting for your return. Instead of engaging in activities of its own, “the cat remains at the door the whole time,” Attas says.
- Engaging in vandalism. For example, the cat can scratch and destroy “doors or window boxes,” notes Attas. “A good cat [may also] started destroying things”.
- Change your eating habits. You may notice that your cat”do not eat or drink when alone,” says Attas.
- Vomiting. Parsch explains that this is caused by stress, but barfing cat may have eaten something they shouldn’t have, or there may have been an underlying health problem while playing.
iStock / 101cats
What causes separation anxiety in cats?
Cats develop separation worry for many reasons, and it can happen at any time in their lives.
There are two sides to the separation anxiety coin: Nature and nurture. Mikel Delgado, a Rover cat behavior expert explains that your cat may develop the condition because it “has some predisposition to anxiety, such as genetic risk or personality that increases the likelihood of developing the condition.” they are likely to experience different types of anxiety.”
However, a cat’s environment and upbringing can also play an important role. For example, if he was “separated from his mother and peers too early (under 12-14 weeks),” Parsch reveals. She adds that experiencing a change in life, such as a “new owner, new home, or a change in their usual routine,” are also common causes.
If this sounds unfamiliar, Attas highlights several other factors associated with separation anxiety, including:
- If a cat only lives in the house;
- If a cat lives with only one adult;
- If a cat is the only pet in the house;
- If a cat was bottle-fed as a kitten;
- If the cat lacks stimulation or socialization.
“Anecdotally, it has been reported to be more common in older female cats, although gender and age do not predispose cats to separation anxiety,” explains Attas. Basically, she continued, there is no one-size-fits-all because “every cat has its own personality.”
iStock / Andrey Zhuravlev
How to help a cat from separation anxiety
While it’s frustrating for cats to go through separation anxiety, it can also be difficult for their owners.
Fortunately, a variety of approaches can help ease symptoms and make cats feel more comfortable alone. “The combination of medication and behavior modification was associated with the best success,” Attas revealed.
Managing or Changing the Environment
Parsch explains: “A cat with separation anxiety will feel like the world is an unsafe place without humans around. “Therefore, making them feel safe in their environment… is a great first step on the road to helping them.”
You can achieve this in many different ways. For example, stimulate their senses by providing many interactive toys and things to scratch (it’s not a table leg!). You can also come up with suitable hiding places – such as tunnels and cat dens – Parsch suggests.
Other tweaks include “plugging in a pheromone diffuser for cats, such as Feliway spray, which has a calming effect on many cats,” says Attas, along with “turning on the TV or radio on departure and also leaving enough room for enough.” the light.”
When it comes to your behavior, “don’t make a fuss when you return,” Attas recommends, as this will reaffirm the fact that you’re gone.
Creating a routine — and sticking to it — is also important in “giving your cat a sense of security and safety,” says Parsch. “Play with them and feed them at the same time every day. It is better to feed them after playtime to mimic their natural rhythm. “
Medicine
Just as your veterinarian can prescribe medication if you are concerned, your veterinarian can give your cat the same medications. Some commonly prescribed medications are:
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Alprazolam
- Clomipramine
- Amitriptyline.
It’s worth noting, however, that “a long-term drug regimen requires additional veterinary care and frequent blood tests,” explains Attas. Plus, “the drugs used take time to reach therapeutic blood levels.”
Over-the-counter supplements
Natural supplements have been used for many years to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety in cats, and there are many options available. Products typically contain one or more of the following ingredients:
- Stimulants. Cats naturally produce these chemicals to communicate and create a more familiar feel to the space. Many room sprays replicate these hormones to help cats relax and make them feel safe.
- L-tryptophan. This is a natural amino acid that helps reduce stress in cats. It can be found in capsules, gum, and room sprays.
- Theanine. Another amino acid has been shown to be lower stress-related behaviors in cats. Find it in gum and chewable tablets.
Always consult your veterinarian before giving your cat any over-the-counter medications or supplements.
How to prevent cats from separation anxiety?
Even if your cat shows no signs of separation anxiety, you can still engage in activities that encourage a healthy attachment style — and possibly prevent problems from developing in the future.
- Make departures simpler. Instead of getting into the obvious habit of leaving the house, switch things up so that “it’s harder for your cat to pick up on the signs,” Parsch recommends. “For example, put your keys in your pocket as soon as you get dressed.”
- Encourage sleeping when you are out. This way, they’ll be less likely to notice your absence! “Play with your cat in the morning, with an interactive toy, before you leave for work. Try to tire them out, then feed them breakfast,” suggests Parsch. “Feeding immediately after play will make them more likely to go to sleep later.”
- Buy a Wi-Fi camera. So you can keep an eye on your kitten when it’s out and about and monitor anxious behaviors.
- Encourage socialization. Especially if your cat is used to being indoors, build catio or use cat leash and cat backpack are great options to encourage further business activities.
- Hire a babysitter. If you work long hours or are going away, consider hiring a cat sitter. This will maintain the cat’s presence in the home, control the cat’s habits, and prevent them from feeling lonely.
When to Talk to a Vet
If your cat shows signs of anxiety when separated, you should see your veterinarian to find out what’s going on. “If left untreated, this disorder can lead to more serious medical problems,” notes Attas.
Furthermore, some signs of anxiety (such as urinating outside of the litter box) are seen with conditions such as cystitis.
“There is no specific test for separation anxiety,” explains Attas, “but” a physical exam and even laboratory blood and urine analysis are often needed to distinguish a medical problem. with a behavioral problem”.
While cats can’t ‘grow up’ or be cured of separation anxiety, Parsch shares some good news: Symptoms “can definitely improve, or even seem to go away, with some patience, compassion, and the right tactics.”
