Cats have long held the reputation of being fiercely main . This is n’t the guinea pig for all CT though . In fact , field showthat while some may have a stripe of freedom in their personality , quat are societal animate being and often become deeply attached to their pet parents .

“ bozo are viewed as solitary in nature , so people often take up they are perfectly happy without companionship — but that is generally not the case , ” says Irith Trietsch Bloom , CPDT - KSA , CBCC - KA , CDBC , KPA CTP , VSPDT , CBATI , VSDTA Faculty , DWA Faculty , CCPDT Board Member and Director of Training atThe Sophisticated Dog . “ Like many brute , they communicate mostly using body language , and not everyone has the experience or cognition to interpret that communicating . ”

When their favorite person leaves — for an hour , a day or longer — cats can experience separation anxiety just as dogs can . “ It presents a little otherwise , though , and is just now start up to be understand , ” says Bloom .

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HOW TO SPOT IT: What does separation anxiety look like in cats?

Cats have unique personalities and what separation anxiety look like for each case-by-case big cat can be different . Likewise , the symptom of detachment anxiety in hombre have yet to be fully define .

However , some common signs of separation anxiety in cats let in :

Clingy , possessive or strong-growing behavior . This often becomes obvious when your cat ’s favourite someone , or the person who triggers their separation anxiety , is preparing to leave or late riposte . They “ might hide , mew repeatedly , follow the person around , or keep walking back and forward between the person and the door , for example , ” says Bloom . “ Some cats even attack their human when their homo is near the door and about to leave alone ! ”

Can my cat get separation anxiety? Silver tabby is bending blinds to watch for pet parent

undue grooming . You might comment bald-pated patches beginning to show on your cat ’s legs , stomach or elsewhere .

House soilure . No , this is not your cat getting back at you or exacting revenge . “ While we do not understand house soiling in cat absolutely , mansion soiling in cats with legal separation anxiety may be a elbow room of ego - soothing — their own scent is guess to make them feel more well-situated , ” says Bloom . “ Some also hypothesise that mixing their olfactory property with yours helps cats find close to you . Another possibility is that the cat is leaving his scent around to make it easier for you to rule him — after all , your odour is one thing your cat can fall out to find you ! ”

phonation . Distressed cat often mew more than normal or even become excessively vocal . And if other medical trouble are ruled out , separation anxiousness could be the reason for your cat ’s vocalization . In fact , a study release in the Journal of of the American Veterinary Medical Associationcited excessive vocalism as one of the primary behavioral problems triggered by separation anxiousness in true cat .

be sick . Either stress alone or strain - related behaviors like over - dressing can stimulate a cat to vomit more frequently .

Destructive behavior . Even if they are house trained and have appropriate piazza to grave , hombre who experience separation anxiety may scratch or claw at door or other billet you do n’t require them to .

pitiful appetite . While this can be a signal of other wellness problems , bozo may lose their appetite if they are suffering from tension and separation anxiety .

“ None of these signs in and of itself definitively signal separation anxiety , ” cautions Bloom . “ For model , destruction while you are out may simply indicate your cat is not getting enough interaction and exercise , and inordinate ego - grooming can be the result of a skin disorderliness . But if you are get a line these sort of symptoms and are interested about your cat ’s well - being , it ’s a good idea to discuss the situation with a veterinary behaviorist or other guy behavior expert . ”

Of course , any change in eating habits or litter box use should be checked out by your veterinary surgeon to rule out possible aesculapian issues before you assume separation anxiousness . If a medical precondition is present , you ’ll require to treat that before starting behavioural therapy to increase your fortune of success .

THINGS TO CONSIDER: What causes separation anxiety in some cats but not others?

Nobody get laid for sure what have interval anxiety in qat . “ We do n’t be intimate all the risk of exposure factors for separation anxiousness , ” say Bloom . “ It ’s likely there is a hereditary component in some case , while in other cases environmental factors are probable to charge . ”

Bloom explains that kittens who were orphan or wean too early may be more prone to detachment anxiety . Cats who do n’t receive fair to middling socialisation between the ages of about two and seven weeks may also be more susceptible to legal separation anxiety than other well - socialized felines .

Cats can also pick up on our anxieties and take them as clew . “ If we act anxious when we are about to allow for , the cat can find fault up on that , ” says Bloom . “ And if we systematically reward needy behavior , that can teach the cat to act more needy . ”

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: What can I start doing NOW to help my cat?

interval anxiety is a fear that can be managed . While the gold monetary standard is a desensitisation protocol where you gradually change your cat ’s sensing of the triggers with the assistance of a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer , even minuscule changes can sometimes help oneself a lot . If you suspect your cat is suffering from separation anxiety , try out some of these quick manoeuvre to see if your cat respond positively .

rein out a aesculapian shape first . call back , your first bet is the vet . If you see any of the sign of separation anxiety in your cat , schedule an date to avail rule out a medical problem . Other maneuver like training and behavior modification are unlikely to succeed if an inherent , untreated medical experimental condition is the movement .

Make leaving and retrovert no boastful wad . “Stay calm as you choke and when you return , ” says Bloom . “ Wait to snuggle with your cat-o'-nine-tails until she is relatively calm , rather than picking her up when she is greeting you madly . ”

check that your kitty has a white litter loge . guy care to keep the litter box clean and will use the bathroom somewhere in the theatre if the box is n’t up to their standards . Consider getting multiple bedding box seat for each cat in your home and clean them at least once per day .

Place address around the house for your Caterpillar to adventure for and find . This will keep kitty ’s mind mentally stimulated with a sweet delicacy at the goal of the game .

Leave your odour behind . Consider devote your cat memory access to a triiodothyronine - shirt or other objet d’art of clothing you ’ve been wearing . you’re able to also adjudicate storage - bought pheromone sprays to help calm your cat when you leave .

agenda quality playtime , every 24-hour interval . attempt to play at least ten to fifteen minutes per day . Playing with your cat day by day may help still detachment anxiety because they ’ll be able-bodied to get some honest one - on - one playfulness time and TLC with you . “ But not right before you leave or after you return , ” warns Bloom .

determine other manner to enrich your cat ’s environs and life . work in some new items for input like a novel scratching post in a keen viewing area , a vertical climb platform and other toy .

Try bequeath the goggle box on your normal channel or adding soothing music . Cat TV videos bristle on YouTube and Animal Planet . attempt letting this guy - based computer programing play out while you are outside of the house .

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals

If you distrust your cat is suffering from detachment anxiety , get the conversation die with your vet and trainer to start managing it and getting puss some easing . “ Separation anxiety is believe to be a panic disorder , and the strain is unquestionably very existent , ” say Bloom . “ Rather than let your cat suffer , get help . ”

Things you might ask are :

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

legal separation Anxiety Syndrome in Dogs and Catsfrom AVMA

2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelinesfrom AAHA