Cats and Separation Anxiety

Barking. Whining. Pawing at the door. When it comes to separation anxiety, dogs may come to mind more often than cats. But separation anxiety in cats exists — complete with cat separation and anxiety symptoms. What are those symptoms, and what can you do to relieve them? Read on for some info!

Signs and symptoms of separation anxiety in cats

Cat kids love routine. If that routine is disrupted, like a cat parent going on vacation or changing their work schedule, cats could develop separation anxiety. Other stressors, like adding a new two-legged or four-legged family member to the family, may increase anxiety.

When it comes to separation anxiety in cats, signs and symptoms can include:

• Excessive meowing and crying
• Going to the bathroom outside of the litter box (or even on the cat parent’s bed)
• Not eating or drinking when cat parents are out of the house
• Extra grooming
• Behaving destructively, like destroying furniture or a cat parent’s belongings

Ways to help your cat with separation anxiety

When it comes to separation anxiety and cats, there are things cat parents can do to help lessen the stress for their cat kid.

• Practice short absences, then gradually increase the time as they get used to it (and reward their improved behavior with a treat)
• Give them puzzles and games to distract them, especially right before you leave the house
• Keep the TV or radio on when you head out, and leave it on familiar channels or stations
• Create a space for them, especially if it has a high perch near a window (wildlife can be a great distraction)
• Consider plug-ins like Feliway, which contains pheromones that help calm and soothe

Consider a natural litter that helps decrease stress

If your cat kid’s separation anxiety symptoms include out-of-the-box bathroom breaks, try our Herbal Attraction formula. It includes a calming blend of herbs that draw cat kids of all stages to the litter box (and away from your bedding).

Want to soothe restless cat kids, promote a calm environment, and even boost the cat kid-pet parent bond? Switch to Harmony, our lavender and bamboo scented formula. Like all of our eco-friendly litter formulas, Herbal Attraction and Harmony are:

• Made with upcycled walnut shells
• Produced sustainably in our solar-powered facilities
• The healthy choice for people, pets, and the planet