I’m excited to show you this guest blog post about feline separation anxiety from our friends over at Catit!

I hope you find it useful if you’re worried about leaving your cats when you go away.

Amanda, Southsea Pet Sitting

If you’re worried about how your feline friend copes when you’re away, Paul Trott from Catit shares his advice on helping your cat overcome separation anxiety.

Cats may stereotypically be thought of as independent or even aloof compared to dogs, but — as many cat owners will agree — they can be just as attached to their owners and struggle to adjust when we spend more time away from home. Cats respond well to a regular routine, so when this changes (for example, when you’re away for long workdays) they can feel a little overwhelmed. If your cat is showing signs of separation anxiety, read on to find out how you can help them feel calmer and more settled when you’re out of the house.

How to know if your cat has separation anxiety

In a recent study, 64% of the cats assessed were described as ‘securely attached’ to their owners (CellPress). With this strong connection, it’s therefore not surprising that our cat’s behaviour can change when we have to spend more time away from them. Not only this, but it can be more common in female cats, indoor cats, and single cats. So, if you want to keep an eye on your feline friend’s mental well-being, there are a few key signs of separation anxiety that your cat may display.

For example, if your cat goes to the toilet outside their litter box, meows excessively, or starts scratching or destroying things in your home, these are some key signs that they are distressed (PetMD). Destroying things may be more common in male cats experiencing separation anxiety, whereas female cats may start grooming excessively if they feel overwhelmed. Similarly, overly attached cats may seek constant contact when you’re together, start hiding, or meow frequently as you go about your day. If your cats start regularly showing any of these signs, they may be experiencing separation anxiety and will need a bit of extra care and attention to overcome it.

How to deal with separation anxiety

When your cat starts displaying anxious behaviour, it can be quite worrying. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your cat if they have trouble with any new schedules or additional time spent alone.

Prepare your cat for a change in routine

If you’re heading to the office after a few days of working from home, this can be an adjustment for your feline friend to get used to. So, if you’re able, try to transition to a new routine gradually rather than suddenly. For cats who are already used to having a few hours alone each day, you may start by extending this by an hour or two in the few weeks before you return to the office full-time. This way your cat can get used to spending more time alone and will start to know what time you’ll be back each day.

A gradual approach like this is even more important for cats who have never experienced any time alone, such as younger cats bought in lockdown or in a household with someone always present. It can also help to keep other things like their mealtimes and playtime the same wherever possible, so that some things in their daily routine remain constant and familiar. Many owners now have cat sitters who will come over once a day to check in on your cats, cat sitters will meet the owner and bond with your cat before initial call out or before you go on holiday which means the cat would recognise them. Make sure it is someone that they know to avoid adding any extra stressors to their environment.

Make your home as cat friendly as possible

Especially if you have indoor cats or need to spend more time than usual away from home, it’s important to provide them with plenty of stimulation. As well as the essentials like providing plenty of food, water, and a litter tray, toys that keep them occupied can make their time alone pass more quickly and help them burn off some energy throughout the day. For instance, a scratching post is one of the first things you’ll need to get your cat if they don’t have one already — scratching is an instinctive behaviour that helps your feline friend to relieve excitement or stress, mark their territory with scent, and keep their claws healthy (The Humane Society). This can also protect your furniture from any scratches while you’re away! Cat trees are also great purchases to make for your cats, they love to be up high, and most cat trees have high perches where your cat can curl up and feel safe. Placing one of these by a window also gives them a chance to watch out the window while at home alone.

Making use of sensory, interactive toys can also be a great way to keep your cat stimulated when they’re home alone. Whether it’s a treat ball, puzzle feeder, or any other kind of enrichment toy, make sure to fill these with your cat’s favourite treats before you leave in the morning. This way they can put their energy and concentration into accessing their treats throughout the day.

To keep an even closer eye on your feline friend, some owners may also want to install a pet camera in their homes. These allow you to monitor your cat from a chosen device, which can be particularly useful if they show their stress by hiding, preventing you from observing their behaviour. This can also give owners some peace of mind if they are the ones experiencing separation anxiety from their cat!

Try not to reward attention-seeking actions

Sometimes, leaving the house can be the hardest part when your cat is struggling with separation anxiety. If they become clingy, very vocal, or start scratching, then it may help to distract them with one of their favourite interactive toys while you get ready to leave. This can help them associate your morning routine with something positive like playtime, rather than the prospect of spending time alone. It’s also important never to punish your cat for their anxious behaviour, as this can make them even more distressed and repeat the cycle. Instead, try to ignore attention-seeking behaviour wherever possible and employ positive reinforcement and reward your cat with treats when they act calmly and independently when you leave (PDSA).

It can be stressful for both you and your cat if they start showing signs of separation anxiety. By employing a few positive reinforcement techniques and making your home as stimulating as possible, you can help your feline friend adjust to a new routine and more time spent alone. For more tips and advice, check out the rest of our articles on the Southsea Pet Sitting blog.