Did you know that some cats “bad” behavior might just be a sign of separation anxiety? Many of our pets actually suffer from separation anxiety when we leave them home alone, but unfortunately many pet owners might misinterpret their cats behavior as them acting out. Of course not all cats are the same, nor is there a one size fits all method for determining if your cat does in fact have separation anxiety. But that being said, here are eight signs that your cat might have separation anxiety, and keep reading for ways to treat!
- Excessive meowing, crying or moaning
- Trying to escape
- Excessive self grooming
- Using the bathroom outside of the litter box
- Vomiting food or hairballs
- Eating too fast or not eating at all
- Destructive behavior
- Excitement upon returning home that is out of the ordinary
That list might not be complete and it is likely your cat might only show a few indicators, so just use your best judgment.
How to Help:
- Pet CBD. If your cat gets nervous while they are home alone then we suggest trying pet CBD as it is very beneficial for anxiety relief, joint support, and appetite support. Giving your cat an appropriate dose of CBD will not only relieve their anxious nature towards you leaving, but can be very useful in getting your cat into their crate. We recommend giving your cat either Peanut Butter and Honey Calming Chews or adding Zen Drops to your pets food/water ~45 minutes before you have to leave. The best part is all of the Zen Frenz pet CBD products are THC free and non psychoactive!
- Start with shorter absences. If your cat is new or not used to being left home alone, we recommend that you “train” them to be home alone. Start by leaving for a short amount of time, even just to the backyard for a bit. As your cat becomes more comfortable with you leaving then work on extending the time. Along with this we also suggest not announcing out loud that you are leaving, try to make your leaving a calm and uneventful time.
- Leave the TV on! TV is one of our favorite forms of distraction and entertainment. Watching TV is a great way to pass the time, feel less lonely, and distract you from the scary noises and people outside. Depending on how your TV works you might be able to watch TV non-stop until someone comes home. Some of our favorite programs are Tom and Jerry, Lady and the Tramp, and Cats and Dogs. Also, make sure mom doesn’t pick a show or movie that’s too spooky!
- Have a cat sitter come. If your cat really struggles with being left home or you need to leave them home for an extended amount of time we strongly suggest finding someone who could come play with your cat. They don’t have to come for a long time, but even 30 minutes to an hour of play time would greatly help your cat’s separation anxiety. You can try asking a neighbor, friend, or family member.