What Separation Anxiety in Cats Looks Like and How to Prevent It

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Whether wild or domesticated, our feline friends are known for being independent. So separation anxiety is the last thing they’d experience, right? Not quite.

Cats can get lonely, and just like humans feel nervous or worried, they’re able to encounter similar emotions. “Separation anxiety is a recognized disorder in cats,” states Dr Amy Attas, veterinarian, founder of City Pets, and member of the University of Pennsylvania’s School’s Board of Advisors. “It is a stress response observed when a cat is separated from a person or people with whom they are strongly bonded.”

It’s more common than you might think: A study found around 13 percent of cats displayed at least one separation anxiety-related behavior, and the pandemic has seemingly exacerbated this figure.

“A recent study shows the increase in the number of cats exhibiting separation anxiety, which is believed to be the result of people returning to work after being at or working from home during the first two years of the pandemic,” Attas notes.

Research suggests cats fall into one of two attachment styles:

• ‘Secure’ attachment is when a cat has low stress levels while away from its owner and doesn’t overly seek attention when reunited.
• ‘Insecure’ attachment — which separation anxiety falls under — comes in several forms: Ambivalent (when the cat is too attached to the owner and constantly wants to be close to them); avoidant (when the cat acts more aloof); and disorganized (when the cat displays a mix of both).

iStock/Elitsa Deykova

Symptoms and Signs of Separation Anxiety in Cats

An array of symptoms can indicate separation anxiety. However, note that “just having one or two symptoms doesn’t mean your cat has [it],” says Lauren Parsch, Cat Behavior Consultant.

Some cats will exhibit symptoms in your presence, while others only do so when their owner is away. “Webcams are an excellent way to assess whether your cat is upset by your absence,” Mikel Delgado, Rover’s resident cat expert on The Dog People Panel, suggests.

What separation anxiety symptoms can you watch for when you’re at home? Some of the most common include:

• Signs of extreme attachment. Your cat doesn’t want to leave your side and keeps coming for strokes and cuddles.
• Destructive scratching. Cats often destructively scratch “to de-stress and leave visual and scent markers, which helps them feel calmer,” Parsch explains.
• Overgrooming. Your cat might excessively groom when you’re about to leave or as you get home, although they may also do so when left alone.
• Anxious behaviors. These might include “nervousness, hiding, blocking the door, or crying when you’re going to leave,” says Parsch.
• Urinating or defecating away from the litter tray. Your cat “may soil on clothing, bedding, or furniture,” reveals Attas — and this may also happen when the cat is left alone.
• Eating food too fast. This can happen while you’re out of the house as well, Parsch notes.

And what about when you’re away? Some signs and behaviors are:

• Being louder than normal. This can involve “excessive yowling, meowing, or crying,” says Parsch.
• Awaiting your return. Rather than engaging in its own activities, “the cat remains at the front door the entire time,” Attas states.
• Engaging in destructive behaviors. For example, the cat may scratch destructively “on doors or window casements,” notes Attas. “A well-behaved cat [may also] start destroying furniture.”
• Changes in eating and drinking habits. You might notice that your cat “doesn’t eat or drink when left alone,” says Attas.
• Vomiting. This is induced by stress, explains Parsch, but a barfing cat could have eaten something they shouldn’t, or there might be an underlying health issue at play.

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What Causes Separation Anxiety In Cats?

Cats develop separation anxiety for many reasons, and it can occur at any time in their lives.

There are two sides to the separation anxiety coin: Nature and nurture. Your cat might develop the condition because it “has some predisposition to anxiety, such as genetic risks or a personality that increases the chance they could experience different forms of anxiety,” explains Mikel Delgado, a cat behavior expert with Rover.

However, a cat’s environment and upbringing can also play critical roles. For example, if it is “separated from their mother and littermates too early (younger than 12-14 weeks of age),” Parsch reveals. She adds that undergoing a life change, such as “a new owner, a new home, or changes to their typical routine”, are also common triggers.

If these don’t sound familiar, Attas highlights a few other factors associated with separation anxiety, including:

• If a cat exclusively lives indoors;
• If a cat lives with only one adult person;
• If a cat is the only pet in the household;
• If a cat was bottle-raised as a kitten;
• If a 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 a cat to separation anxiety,” explains Attas. Essentially, she continues, there’s no one-size-fits-all cause as “every cat has its own personality.”

iStock/Andrey Zhuravlev

How to Help a Cat With Separation Anxiety

While it’s unpleasant for cats to experience separation anxiety, it can also be tough on their owner.

Fortunately, various approaches can help alleviate symptoms and make your cat feel more at ease about being alone. “The combination of medication and behavior modification is associated with the best success,” Attas reveals.

Manage or Change The Environment

“A cat with separation anxiety feels like the world is an unsafe place when their human isn’t around,” explains Parsch. “Therefore, creating a sense of safety for them in their environment…is a great first step on the path to helping them.”

You can achieve this in various ways. For example, stimulate their senses by providing plenty of interactive toys and things to scratch (that aren’t table legs!). You can also offer appropriate hiding places — such as tunnels and cat caves — Parsch suggests.

Other tweaks include “plugging in feline pheromone diffusers, such as Feliway spray, which has a calming effect on many cats,” says Attas, along with “putting the television or radio on when departing and also leaving sufficient light on.”

When it comes to your behavior, “do not make a fuss upon returning,” Attas recommends, as this will reaffirm the fact you’ve been gone.

Creating a routine — and sticking with it — is also crucial in “bringing cats a sense of safety and security,” Parsch says. “Play with them and feed them at the same time every day. Preferably feed them after playtime to mimic their natural rhythm.”

Medications

Just as a doctor might prescribe medication if you’re anxious, a vet can offer your cat the same kinds of drugs. Some of those commonly prescribed are:

• Fluoxetine
• Sertraline
• Alprazolam
• Clomipramine
• Amitriptyline.

However, it’s worth noting that “a long-term medication regimen requires additional veterinary care and regular blood tests,” explains Attas. Plus, “the medications used take time to achieve a therapeutic blood level.”

Over-the-counter Supplements

Natural supplements have been used for years to help ease anxiety symptoms in cats, and plenty of options are available. Products often contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Pheromones. Cats naturally produce these chemicals to communicate and make a space feel more familiar. Many room sprays replicate these pheromones, to relax kitties 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, gummies, and room sprays.
• Theanine. Another amino acid that has been shown to lower stress-related behaviors in cats. Find it in gummies and chewable tablets.

Always consult your vet before giving your cat any over-the-counter supplements or medications.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Getting Separation Anxiety?

Even if your cat isn’t showing signs of separation anxiety, you can still engage in practices that encourage a healthy attachment style — and could potentially prevent issues from developing in the future.

• Make departures more low-key. Rather than having an obvious leaving-the-house routine, switch things up so “the signs are harder for your cat to identify,” recommends Parsch. “For example, put your keys in your pocket right after you get dressed.”
• Encourage sleep while you’re 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 go to work. Try to tire them out, then feed them breakfast,” Parsch suggests. “Feeding right after play will make them much more likely to go to sleep afterward.”
• Buy a Wi-FI camera. So you can keep an eye on your kitty while you’re out and monitor for anxious behaviors.
• Encourage socialization. Especially if your cat is used to staying indoors, building a catio or using cat leashes and cat backpacks are great options for encouraging ventures further afield.
• Hire a sitter. If you work long days or are going away, consider hiring a cat sitter. This will maintain a presence in the house, keep your cat’s routine in check, and stop them from feeling lonely.

When to Talk With a Vet

If your cat shows separation anxiety symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit your vet to figure out what’s happening. “Left untreated, this disorder can lead to more significant medical problems,” Attas notes.

Furthermore, some anxiety signs (such as urinating outside the litter box) are seen with conditions such as cystitis.

There’s no specific test for separation anxiety, but “a physical examination and even laboratory analysis of blood and urine are often necessary to differentiate a medical problem from a behavioral one,” explains Attas.

While cats can’t ‘grow out’ or be cured of separation anxiety, Parsch shares some good news: Symptoms “can certainly improve, or even seem to disappear, with some patience, compassion, and the right tactics.”