Separation Anxiety in Cats – Top Tips

Millions of cats watch as their owners leave for work every morning, with only themselves for company until teatime. Too many people are under the mistaken assumption that cats will happily fend for themselves. Cats can fend for themselves but they won’t necessarily be happy doing at all the time.

Cats are animals which thrive on mental stimulation and the company of humans.

Cats often augment their reputation as destructive house pets by doing things out of boredom. Cat owners could prevent this type of inconvenience by simply trying one of many easy and effective methods of feline entertainment from the comfort of your own workplace.

Cats will benefit the most from having companionship all the time. If you are a full time worker and can see no other alternative to letting your cat roam free, why not consider acquiring another cat or even a dog. This will develop the social skills of both parties and will prevent any remote chance of boredom.

If a second pet is not an option for you, an alternative is to place mirrors around the home. Although this sounds not unlike an insult to the cat’s intelligence, it does provide a very useful function. It will enhance the amount of visual stimulation that your cat will receive while she is on her own. It will also help or socialisation techniques and prevent her from becoming lonely.

Any movable objects are fantastic stimuli for the active and inquisitive cat. A weighted ball that changes direction is a fantastic and trouble free way of entertaining her, and it will keep her fit. Always ensure, as with children, that there no dangerous components to any of the toys you give to your cat which could be swallowed and cause choking.

Provide areas for the cat to go where she can reach different heights and angles. This will satisfy her climbing urges and will be a safer and more convenient alternative to a sharp set of claws travelling up the side of any valuable furniture. She will be able to experience different temperatures and lights and will be able to get away from the boredom of the house.

Cats enjoy exploring boxes and tubs so any old packaging left for to play with will provide her with lots of new spaces and areas to go into.

Rotate her toys so that she thinks she has a new one each day, this prevents her from getting used to the same challenge. Leaving the radio or television on will also help prevent boredom and will provide a feeling of familiarity to an otherwise lonely house.

If you haven’t already, install a cat flap so that she has access to a garden or yard. If you do not wish for her to have constant access to the outside world you can get flaps that can be locked or fixed so only certain actions can be made through the cat flap. (For your information. Sir Isaac Newton, the man who discovered gravity, is also the man who gave the world the cat flap)

If none of the above are possible, at least ensure that she has access to a window so that she can have a look at the outside world.

Since my last weekend trip, she has started pooping on the rug once a day even when I am home (usually at night when I am asleep).

Her litter is cleaned every day; she gets plenty of food and drinks plenty of water; she get s a great deal of play time. I need some advice on how to stop this new bad habit, or some advice as to why she is doing this.  If it was just when I am out of town, I would say it is because she does not like to be left alone at night; but now that it is happening when I am in the house, I am at a loss.Please help me to help her — she is a very sweet, very playful cat.
Paula J. Garber, Sterling, Virginia

 - A - Paula,  Has she had any type of surgery or have you changed the type of litter you are using? I would:

1. Make sure the spot she is using on the rug is completely clean and deodorized to remove her scent from the area (they sell these products at Petsmart)
2. Put her in a Tokyo cage with food, water and a litterbox for 3 or 4 days to retrain her, or confine her to a smaller room such as a bathroom for the same reason. Let her out to play with you but put her up when you go to work or at night for those few days.
3. Try a different litter; if you are using clay try clumping, etc.You need to nip this quickly as the longer she continues the harder it will be to break her of this new habit. Please read the article at the following URL as it deals with litterbox problems.

Although it is aimed at the multi-cat household the methods for correction are the same.  

http://www.cfainc.org/articles/litter-box-problems.html
Hope this helps.   Pete

- A -  You might try spraying the boxes with a hot pepper spray or a cheap cologne/perfume. It will only take a few tastes for him to associate cardboard with a bad experience. I would also look at the food you are feeding; is it a quality food or a bargain brand? He may not be getting the supplements he needs if the food is loaded with fillers such as ground corn rather than meat, vitamins, etc. There are also cat toys with leather laces you could provide to steer his chewing toward a more acceptable manner. All else failing, I would have your Vet take a look at him for his recommendations.

The problem that we’re having is that in the past two months, she has started licking things around the house. Her favorite targets seem to be a fossilized clamshell, a flowerpot coated with some sort of pebbly clay-like coating, and a ceramic tile. She will sit and lick them for several minutes at a time, and if I take them away, she tries to get back at them. Does this sound like OCD, or could she have a vitamin deficiency? Or is it something else entirely? Thank you, Janie

Janie V, Mobile, Alabama, USA

- A – Janie, My guess would be her diet. A Light blend is usually for older pets with different nutritional requirements than a growing young adult. My suggestion would be to consult with your Vet about the diet and start feeding her a blend more suited to her needs.

As for the weight, may I suggest getting a laser pointer? They project a red dot and cats love to chase the dot as you move it around the room.

Not only will this provide exercise for the cat but will reward you with some amusing quality time with her as you enjoy watching her acrobatics in pursuing this elusive “prey.” Our cats love this toy and come running as soon as they hear me pick it up (it’s on a key ring that jingles). Pete