Separation anxiety is more common in dogs than cats. But that does not mean that felines are safe from this problem. Although cats cannot bark or howl when their owners are away, they do depict some different symptoms of anxiety.
Some of these signs of separation anxiety in cats include:
- Clawing at things around the house
- Elimination outside the litter box
- Excessive grooming
- Excessive vocalization
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
In case, your kitty is experiencing separation anxiety, he/she may cling to you or go into hiding when you are about to leave. If you think your feline is suffering from separation anxiety, follow these tips to manage the anxiety level:
Take An Appointment With Your Veterinarian
If your kitty is showing symptoms of anxiety, the very first thing that you can ever do is to take her to the veterinarian. Some of the symptoms underlying medical conditions in kitties include:
- Urination outside the litter box
- Vocalization
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
If you see any of these symptoms, it is important to ensure that your feline is in good health before assuming separation anxiety is the reason behind it. Your veterinarian might be well-versed with how to deal with cats suffering from anxiety and if it is an extreme condition, he/she might recommend treatments like Feline Anxiety Relief.
Practice Leaving The Kitty For A Short While Before Leaving For Hours At Once
If it is possible, expose your feline to short absences before leaving for hours at a time. If you have adopted a kitty recently or have commenced a behavior modification program with your cat that is depicting anxiety, start with a short walk around the block. After some days of practice, you can graduate to a swift errand and then for longer outings so that your kitty gets acquainted with your absence with time.
Keep Your Kitty Occupied
Ensure that your cat has lots of toys to keep her busy while you are away. In addition to this, it is important to have open spaces in the house the cat can perch and observe the outside world. There are certain kitties who would appreciate the sound of a television or radio while they are left alone.
Never Make Goodbyes Such A Big Deal
If you take a lot of time while saying goodbye to your cat while also getting emotional, your kitty would catch your emotions. She might also pick up cues like you are leaving, putting off the shoes or grabbing your keys. Ensure that all your departure cues are kept to the minimum. Also, keep your shoes out of sight of your feline.
Keep The Kitty Calm
There are certain felines that might benefit from a pheromone product like Anxitane Chewable Tablets. Leave some of your smell in the form of a shirt or a blanket in an area where your feline likes to hangout for extra comfort.
So, which of these tips are you going to follow to manage separation anxiety in your feline?