Cats are independent animals loving self-company. At the same time, kitty cats can quickly attach to their owners and feel the pangs of separation on confronting abrupt changes in their hooman’s schedule. Even when a kitty cat enjoys solitude, it can crave the company of its human family and other fur babies because they are social creatures.
If you are a feline pet parent, plan your fur ball’s day appropriately, so they don’t feel left out, abandoned, or ignored when you get busy with routine chores. Kitty may have to deal with serious health issues like stress, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, etc. when they have none to go to in your absence.
Provide your furball with ample physical and mental stimulation opportunities, so they don’t have to shed silent tears while waiting for you to return home. Apart from engaging your furry pet, consider purchasing pet health insurance, so you can be well equipped to tackle the financial heat that arises during unexpected pet health situations and emergencies.
Contemplate purchasing a pet insurance policy; meanwhile, learn about a few tell-tale signs and common causes of separation anxiety in cats.
Signs of separation anxiety in cats
The signs of separation anxiety are more apparent in dogs than in cats. Kitty cats can have strong emotional strings attached to their human parents. It is precisely why they can feel lonely, anxious, and deprived should they stay apart from their owners for long periods.
As we said earlier, kitty cats rarely show their true intentions or feelings. This behavior can make it harder for cat parents to identify their pet’s calls of despair. However, feline pet owners can spot one or more of the below-mentioned signs in a cat suffering from separation trauma.
- Excessive vocalization
- Loud meowing
- Licking
- Eating quickly
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Soiling the house
- Isolation
- Clinging to owners
- Overgrooming
- Scratching furniture
- Knocking things over
- Urinating in prohibited places
Though cat owners can find a frustrated kitty’s antics annoying, the kitty takes such actions to leave a trail for its human parents to get back to them quickly.
And not to forget, cat owners must tell themselves repeatedly that kitty cats need love, interaction, attention, exercise, and playtime to be cheerful and healthy.
Common causes of separation anxiety in cats
1.Genes
Feline anxiety and depression can run in the genes of a few cat breeds like Siamese and Burmese cats. Since there is no way to work on altering the genetic factors, cat owners must seek their vet’s suggestions about managing their fur ball’s anxiety issues. Mental stimulation and physical activity can significantly help in alleviating the condition.
2.Weaning
Orphaned kittens and kittens who have been through early weaning can experience anxiety problems. Separating a kitten from the mother cat and siblings too early can adversely impact its emotional and mental wellbeing.
3.Lack of socialization
Cats must be allowed to interact with other pets and people when they are still young. A kitty that grows as a loner mostly stays as a loner unless its human parents take the correct initiatives to provide good chances for socialization.
4.Health complaints
A kitty needs to be tested by the vet to understand the underlying cause of its behavioral problems. Health problems like allergies, GI diseases, parasites, skin infections, hyperthyroidism, Urinary tract infections, etc., can also contribute to a cat’s anxiousness.
Pet health insurance can provide your furry little one quality medical care at economical costs in times like that. Reflect on purchasing pet insurance to manage the financials involved in getting your furball diagnosed and cured during accidents, allergies, sickness, health emergencies and more. However, know that the health benefits depend on the level of cover you choose.
