We often talk about how independent and dare I say, aloof, our feline companions can be! In fact, the ability for cats to be left alone for extended periods of time and be self-sufficient is one of the things that makes them feasible pets for many in our busy modern world. Despite their reputation for rugged individualism, as loving pet parents, RAWZ feeders may wonder if their cat gets lonely. Do they yearn for companionship, get mischievously bored, miss our presence when we’re absent, or even get depressed from isolation? Based on information from Pet MD, here’s what we know about loneliness in cats…
Signals of Loneliness
Behavior changes are often the first clue that a cat is feeling unsettled, but a veterinary consultation is always advisable to rule out underlying medical causes of unexplained health or behavioral changes. Cats that aren’t accustomed to long stretches on their own can be more prone to loneliness when they begin spending increased time alone at home. Here’s some common signs that may point to your cat being lonely:
Destructiveness – Scratching furniture outside normal habits, knocking objects down, or chewing unusual items.
Bathroom Accidents – Along with clinginess or excessive purring, accidents outside the litter box sometimes stem from stress and can be seen as attention-seeking behavior.
Excessive Grooming – It’s easy to observe unusually high levels of self-grooming when home with your pet, but what about when you’re not there? Excessive licking that results in thinning fur or bald spots is often a self-soothing behavior, similar to how some people bite their nails when they are stressed.
Possible Solutions
Play Soothing Music or Background Noise
For some cats, silence can make feelings of loneliness more noticeable. Leaving on a radio, a TV at low volume, or a playlist of calming music can provide comfort and create the sense of activity in the home. Gentle background sounds help reduce anxiety, keep your cat engaged and make time alone feel less isolating.
Enrichment or Virtual Presence
Since the early 2000s, enrichment has become a key focus in animal science, encompassing toys and activities that provide mental stimulation for confined animals. Interactive pet cameras, which allow for remote play, treats or communication, have proven especially effective in comforting pets who may be lonely at home.
Hire a Feline Sitter or Visitor
Until human cloning or teleportation becomes a reality, we can’t be everywhere at once or suddenly appear at home with our cat. That said, like dogs left alone for long periods, cats benefit from visitors too. Scheduled check-ins from a trusted person or hired pet sitter to refresh food and water or just say hello can help ease loneliness.
How Can RAWZ Help?
While our team continually works to provide beneficial recipes to improve the lives of our feline companions, we’ve yet to find a nutritional angle to address loneliness. Of course, feeding a minimally processed recipe to give your cat a healthy foundation for life is always a good starting place. Find an authorized retailer where you can join us in improving the lives of people and pets!
