Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
The stereotypical image of a cat as aloof and uncaring is one that is perpetuated throughout the media, anecdotes, and writing, leading to a long-held belief that dogs are man’s best friends, and cats have no care
Nothing could be further from the truth. And the disservice it does to cats, is enormous. Why did you ask?
Separation Anxiety in Cats: Is It Really a “Thing”?
Well, cat medicine often diverges from dog medicine. For a long time, in fact, most of the entire life of the veterinary profession, cats were treated as dogs. But, we now know that this is not true. Cats suffer from their own unique ailments: hyperthyroidism, urinary obstruction, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, and feline coronavirus, to name a few. Not to say that cats don’t also suffer from some of the same diseases as dogs (or maybe I should say that dogs suffer from the same diseases as cats!).
In part, the inappropriate perception of aloofness is likely why separation anxiety in cats was under-recognized until recent years. And still not talked about. In comparison, in dogs, and even in humans, it is a relatively unknown entity.
So, what is separation anxiety? To understand that, you first need to understand how attachment happens in the first place. Attachment begins when the offspring remains close to its mother in early life. In part, this helps with survival, although other functions, such as bonding, and socialization, are also possible.
As veterinary students, we learn about separation anxiety in dogs, and the causes, behavioral modification to correct it, and available medical treatments. When it comes to cats, like most behaviors, we don’t talk about it. Dogs are man’s best friend… cats are just… cats.
In practice, we still don’t often make a diagnosis of cat separation anxiety. I often joke about how Pancake sleeps 26 hours a day, but really, how do cats feel when their owners leave? What about cats that are very tied up? Cats, more than dogs, are more likely to be raised as orphans, known as bottle babies, meaning they sometimes form strong bonds with their first caregivers, in place of their mother.
Separation Anxiety In Theory vs Practice
I have certainly worked with many patients who were quickly described as anxious when their owner left for a trip, and acted differently upon returning. My own cats are pretty much like this—hide when they see travel bags coming out, and don’t sleep in their normal places. As soon as I walked out the door, Pancake was notorious for doing the “you can’t touch me” thing and was sitting under the kitchen table, just out of reach. While Tiller retreats under the bed. On a normal day, they just sleep on the sofa, and on the bed, respectively. So, certainly, they show some mild form of anxiety, although not enough to be classified as pathological.
New technology has also helped to make the behavior of cats more transparent, as we now have cameras for use in the home, to monitor what cats are doing, when we are not around. Some even give treats.
What Behaviors Are Recognized For Cats With Separation Anxiety?
Minimal research has been done on the topic, but studies have looked at owner-based questionnaires, to identify the issue. A study of 136 cats reported behavior could be different, including things like the following:
- Inappropriate urination and defecation
- Excessive vocalization
- Destruction
- Psychogenic adjustment
Some other interesting findings also came from this particular study: female cats were more likely than males to defecate outside the box and engage in excessive grooming, whereas the men are more likely to engage in destructive behavior. Inappropriate urination 75% of the time is done in the owner’s bed.
Therefore, separation anxiety only occurs, by definition, when prolonged, inappropriate physical responses occur to the physical removal of the cat’s owner. If your cat sits by the window and cries when you leave for a minute or two, then goes back to bed, it’s probably not separation anxiety.
If You Suspect Separation Anxiety In Your Cat, What Are Your Options?
The first thing to try and do is take a video or videos of the behavior. This will help your vet confirm suspicions.
- Home cameras can help document this.
- Also be aware of other changes in the household, and note them for discussion with your veterinarian
- Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian; note that for some behavioral issues, further referral to a feline behaviorist may be advised. When booking any behavioral appointment, ask if there is any additional paperwork to fill out, as many vets will have questionnaires to fill out ahead of time. And mention the specific behavior you’re concerned about, as sometimes additional appointment time is needed for behavioral issues.
- Know that bloodwork and other diagnostics may be done to rule out other concerns. For example, the hyperactivity, and sometimes over-fixation, that can occur with hyperthyroidism can sometimes mimic some aspects of other issues. Testing can help rule it out.
- Know that behavioral issues can be difficult to treat, and in general, the longer it goes on, the harder it is to treat. Sometimes, issues cannot be completely resolved, although other times, they can.
- Be realistic about your expectations: what do you want to happen with the behavior? Are you ready and able to treat your cat every day? Twice daily? Follow up with regular bloodwork, if needed? Knowing this will help your veterinarian or behaviorist find the best options for you and your cat.
- Have you tried anything for the issue, like pheromone diffusers?
Ultimately, cats aren’t small dogs—but that doesn’t mean they don’t have similar issues that come up, either. As an owner, you better recognize these issues, and advocate for your cat!
