How to Manage Separation Anxiety in Cats

By Feline Medical | May 15, 2023

While dogs tend to experience separation anxiety more commonly than cats, cats can suffer from this condition as well, and it can be difficult to deal with for both you and your pet. Not only do you feel heartbroken for your pet every time you step out the door, but you may also be coming back to a damaged home.

Fortunately, there are ways you can manage your feline friend’s separation anxiety. Take a look at the following tips to get started.

Identifying Separation Anxiety in Cats

Your cat may have separation anxiety if your cat displays one or more of the following behaviors when left alone:

  • Using the bathroom outside the litter box
  • Refusing to eat or eating excessively
  • Excessive self-grooming
  • Excessive meowing
  • Vomiting
  • Destroying items in your home
  • Attacking you or trying to escape when you leave

Keep in mind that these can be signs of other issues with your cat as well. The best way to know for sure if your cat is suffering from separation anxiety is to bring your cat in for a low-stress visit to the vet. Your veterinarian can examine your cat and determine whether separation anxiety is a possibility.

Tips for Managing Separation Anxiety in Cats

Once you’ve determined that separation anxiety is the likely cause of your cat’s behavior, you can start working to manage their symptoms. To help put your cat at ease when you leave, try these strategies:

Remove Triggers

Your cat will learn the sounds or behaviors associated with you leaving them. Things like the jingle of your keys, the sound of the front door opening, or the action of putting on your coat can begin to trigger their separation anxiety.

You can work to remove those triggers by intentionally making those sounds or doing those actions and then not leaving the house.

Slowly Desensitize

To help your kitty become more acclimated to your absence, start by leaving for only short periods of time. Then, you can gradually increase the amount of time you are gone for.

Provide a Relaxing Environment

Keeping your cat’s general stress level down can help them feel less stressed when you leave. There are a few ways you can do this.

For example, you can provide them with an elevated perch to relax on, a scratching post to play with, or a pheromone diffuser to keep them calm — and you can also play with them a bit more every day to give them stimulation and exercise.

Worried About Your Anxious Cat?

If you are concerned that your cat may have separation anxiety, the Feline Medical Clinic of Vancouver can help. We can evaluate your cat in a cat-friendly environment and offer low-stress handling to help your kitty stay comfortable. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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