Home Alone: Managing Separation Anxiety

Cats have a reputation for independence, so it may come as a surprise that some develop problems when left alone. Here's how to cope with kitty angst.

Woodstock is a solo kitten, hand-raised by his breeders because his mother rejected him. As he grew older, he became agitated, and he cried and urinated inappropriately when his owners left the house.

Woodstock's not alone. Many cats suffer from separation anxiety, a condition more commonly recognized in dogs but one that also affects cats. Felines most likely to develop separation anxiety are orphaned kittens or those weaned too early, says Alice Moon-Fanelli, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist and clinical assistant professor at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, Massachusetts. The stress and grief caused by losing an owner to death or divorce also can trigger separation anxiety, especially in older cats.

"I've seen this happen often with abandoned cats, especially older ones," says Louise Holton of Alley Cat Rescue in Mt. Rainier, Maryland. "Younger cats can bounce back, but older cats struggle – miss their owners, don't eat and may walk around searching and crying."

Cats with separation anxiety often follow a favorite person everywhere. When that person leaves, whether running an errand or traveling for business, the cat may:

• Misbehave or sulk
• Become depressed
• Cry or wander
• Refuse to eat
• Eliminate outside the litter box
• Spray urine on the person's bed or clothing
• Vomit
• Groom compulsively
• Exhibit other destructive behaviors, such as scratching furniture or tearing up facial tissues

Separation anxiety is not often completely cured, but it can be managed with attention, diversion or medication.

As a last resort after other treatments failed, Woodstock's veterinarian prescribed an antidepressant, which helped calm the cat down, says his owner, John McGonagle of Blandon, Pennsylvania. There is a wide variety of antidepressants and antianxiety medications that may help – just ask your veterinarian.

The best way to alleviate separation anxiety is to teach your cat to entertain herself. "If there's nothing for the cat to do except wait for you, it may overemphasize the cat's bond with you," Dr. Moon-Fanelli says.

• Put toys throughout the house. Rotate them frequently so there's always something new.
• Put kibbles in a play treat ball, so she has to bat it around to get her food.
• Leave the television on. Tune it to a channel such as Discovery, so your cat can see and hear nature programs that feature birds and other small animals. Or play a video made just for cats.
• Position a cat tree in front of a window so she can see outdoors.
• Install a bird feeder outside a window so your cat can watch the live entertainment.
• Tune the radio to calming classical music or a station that's often on when you're home.

Understanding Cat Behaviors

• Keeping Your Cat from Climbing
• Taming the Wild Cat Within
• Why Do They Play All Night?
• Cat Chat: Your Cat's Body Language Speaks Volumes
• Home Alone: Managing Separation Anxiety
• Lion Kings & Queens: Territorial Behaviors of Cats
• Cunning Cat Moves
• On a Roll: Unspooling the Roll of Toilet Paper
• Feline House Soiling
• On the Prowl
• Itching for Attention

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