Separation Anxiety : Cat

17 years ago

We acquired a lovely cat from a shelter. The background info was that the owner dumped her at the pound because she was using a bed for a litter box. The cat is two or three years old No problem at our house so far and none at the volunteers while she was there. Today I was watching a vet/pet show on PBS and the vet mentioned that cats will do this if they suffer from separation anxiety. It is possible that the first owner changed her daily habits and then the cat became a problem. This cat is anxious if she doesn't know where you are, very loud meowing bordering on screeching! Last night she fell asleep in the downstairs family room so we left her there. About two a.m, she woke up screaming because she didn't know where we were. As soon as I called her, she bounded upstairs to our bed, licked our faces, and then calmly laid down like nothing was wrong@! I anticipate having to leave her for several hours at a time and down want to confine her to our small bathroom. I'd appreciate any clues or hints on how to make her comfortable being alone.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

sammycat
17 years ago
One thing you might try doing is to leave her some clothing with your smell on it -- like a t-shirt, or a night-shirt -- maybe something you are getting ready to wash, but can keep out for her. I know cats are really into smelling things, and this may be a comfort to her.
Also leave the TV and/or radio on when you are gone. The sounds (play classical music) may help soothe her.
The other suggestion -- get her another cat to keep her company!! Did the shelter or volunteer say anything about her ability to get along with other animals???
If you could find the right companion -- that could be the perfect solution to her separation anxiety!
Please keep us posted, and good for you to adopt this kitty in need!!
Elly_NJ
17 years ago
Yes, thank you for giving this cat a good home, and good luck!

I've attached a link to Tallyville, a comprehensive site on cat health. Look under "anxiety" and see if anything helps you.

Please keep us posted.

I don't know if getting another cat always works, as the chemistry between the cats has to be special between 2 cats. But as sammycat wrote: "the right companion."

Here is a link that might be useful: Tallyville
Related Discussions
Separation Anxiety
Q
Comments (9)
hmm. You're colder than I thought. So, well, I'm probably not someone that can help a whole lot as I haven't grown chinas in a 7a/6b zone. There is a poster from around Tulsa that grows a lot of teas and chinas, though. If you do a posting asking for info on "Chinas and Teas in Oklahoma" or somethingorother like that, she might see or answer your query. My favorites of what I've grown are Spice, Cramoisi Superieur and Ducher but they are all rated 7b. Two others I've grown and like, Perle d'Or and Jean Bach Sisley are rated to 6b, I think. Old Blush is rated in the 6's also, I think.
...See More
separation anxiety - please help
Q
Comments (8)
OMG, I went through this with my little Tubby and I know how you feel. Mine was in a shelter, in a damaged cage next to his sibling. Both were deposited at the same time. When I brought the little fellow home, I was not prepared for what happened. He would not let me out of his sight for an instant. I had to put him in the car, drive back to town and get him a crate so I could bring him up to work because he mutilated himself if I was out of sight. He only stopped crying long enough to chew his tail to the bleeding point. My husband was out of state and thankfully I owned my business and it was on my property, so up to the greenhouses he would come with me. It continued, I could not go from one structure to the other without him chewing at the metal bars to the point of injury. I did just exactly as Justplaincountry said she did. He had to learn that when I was out of sight, I would return. I told him to be a 'good boy' and did the come and go routine for days, extending the time by a minute or two. Then when hubby came back he was tolerating ten or twenty minutes and we took turns being inside with him or taking him on leash to 'visit' the other. Even a month or two later we were afraid of his anxiety level if we went for more than an hour or two, so we dropped him off at our daughter' house nearby to socialise with her pooches. We used to do the same for her dogs. The moment of truth came later that summer when my cousin died and we went to her services. It was four hours and that didn't even include staying for the wake. When we got home, he was fine and has been ever since. They just need to know you'll be back. I suppose this has something to do with trusting another human who never did come back. God only knows what they went through in a previous life. I believe mine was treated well. He came trained, healthy and with manners. Somebody broke his heart.
...See More
Separation Anxiety - Mine!
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks for the thoughts and ideas. I think I just needed to sort through my own thoughts and "get a grip." The loss of Beauty and now Sawyer has been taking its toll on me. She probably will have a better time than we will!! I like that thought. As far as taking her with us, I would in a heartbeat if I could . . . she travels with us every weekend to our lake house and to any other place we believe she will be comfortable. This weekend involves hotels, nursing homes and 2-3 different houses. It's going to be stressful on us, let alone on her. You're right, tho, it's not a true family event without the whole family!
...See More
Severe separation anxiety
Q
Comments (4)
The only thought that comes to mind for me as well is that it is very important where you put the crate when introducing the dog to it. When I first crated mine, I knew it was ****extremely**** important that that crate was very NEAR me. The dog has to know it is not being ostracized from the pack. Otherwise, it's just a punishment. More than anything, the crate should trigger a feeling of security in the animal. We don't have crates anymore in the den, but at one point, I had 3 large crates in my den, and 2 were used as end tables. I could leave the doors open all day, and often find Rusty or Mocha taking naps in theirs of their own volition. Ginger was another matter, she didn't ever really "take" to hers but didn't fight it. What I did find funny was that she would sometimes go into Rusty's to sleep. Ten years later she still follows Rusty like a puppy, and I think it was a comfort thing to her. If it had Rusty's scent, it was "safe". I'll go a step further and say that if you do decide to try a crate again, not only does it need to be near you in the evenings, it needs to be moved to where you sleep at night. Our dogs sleep in our room on the floor. They feel like they are part of the family pack. If I were crating a new dog, that crate would get moved to my room at night also. You never want the crate to be seen as a method of pushing the dog out of its pack (you and your family).
...See More
nookie
17 years ago
I tried using Feliway on my anxious kitty and it worked great. Ask your vet about it. Good luck!

Karen
puzzlefan
Original Author
17 years ago
Another cat would not work with this one. I think I will try the Feliway since it can't hurt. She is getting used to her surroundings but I think she sleeps with one ear cocked just listening! In all other ways she is so loving. I wish I had a video camera too as she has this fetish for my husbands head. She lays on the back of the recliner just stroking his hair until he finally has enough and puts her down. I was told she is at least part Ragdoll, not a breed I'm familiar with. Does this breed tend to be more anxious?
munkos
17 years ago
My cat has a fetish for my head too..or anything that smells like my head. Its quite odd. She'll sit behind me and try to pull out my hair elastic, and she'll shove her face right into my ponytail and start cleaning it. She falls in love with my winter jacket, or any jackets/sweaters I have that have hoods. She just rubs and rubs herself on the hood. If I put my hair towel down after a shower, she rolls around on it, drooling and purring. I used to think it was something in the products I use, but she does it all the time, whether I've put product in or not, or changed my shampoo.

Lol, sorry Im of no help, but you reminded me of my kitty :)
kelly_wells
17 years ago
My room mates & I had a problem with a kitten that pulled out her hair when left alone. I got Rescue Remedy which has solved the problem completely. I bought the drops but have since learned the spray is easier to use. Hopefully it will work for you also.

Separation Anxiety : Cat

Comments (6)

sammycat

Elly_NJ

Related Discussions

nookie

puzzlefan
Original Author

munkos

kelly_wells

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Separation Anxiety : Cat

Comments (6)

sammycat

Elly_NJ

Related Discussions

nookie

puzzlefanOriginal Author

munkos

kelly_wells

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

puzzlefan
Original Author