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Separation anxiety in cats

Separation Anxiety: Causes, Signs & Treatment
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

Many people are familiar with separation anxiety
in dogs, but assume it does not occur in cats.
However, recent research by veterinary behaviorists
suggests that separation anxiety may also develop
in cats. Contrary to what had often been thought in
the past, cats are actually very social creatures and
can form strong bonds with people and with other
animals. While there is certainly more research to be
done in this area, this syndrome could be an important
consideration for those dealing with anxiety-related
feline behavior problems.

Signs of separation anxiety in cats may occur when
the cat is separated from his owner or another
companion pet with whom he has a strong bond.
A cat with separation anxiety may insist on being
with the owner at all times, even following the owner
from room to room. When the owner gets ready to
leave the house, the cat may sulk and hide, or try to
get between the owner and the door. When the owner
returns, the cat may show an abnormally enthusiastic
greeting.

Some of the behavioral problems triggered by separation
anxiety in cats are the same as those seen in dogs:
Vocalizing after the owner leaves, inappropriate urination
or defecation (sometimes near a door or on the owner's
personal items) and, less often, destructiveness (chewing,
scratching). Cats may also show their distress in other,
less obvious ways such as becoming too anxious to eat
when left alone; or vomiting only when the owner is not
there. A less common sign in cats may be excessive
grooming, to the point of creating a bald spot on one
or two areas of the body.

What causes separation anxiety?
It is not known for sure what causes separation anxiety
in cats. It has been speculated that there may be both
genetic and environmental factors involved. Being
orphaned or being weaned early may predispose a
kitten to developing separation anxiety. While future
research will give us more information, for now, the
best prevention is to try to start out with a kitten that
is well-socialized and thus, hopefully, will be less likely
to develop behavior problems of any type.

What should I do if I suspect my cat has separation
anxiety?
The first step is to discuss the situation with your
veterinarian and have your cat undergo a complete
physical examination. It is important to make sure that
your cat's behavior is not due to an underlying physical
problem. For example, a cat which is urinating outside
the litter box and/or doing a lot of howling may be
developing a urinary tract obstruction or infection.
A cat that is over-grooming may have a food allergy.
Your veterinarian may recommend some tests including
a complete blood count, a chemistry profile, urinalysis,
thyroid testing, or a blood pressure check. Because
separation anxiety in cats is just beginning to be studied,
you may find it helpful to work with an animal behaviorist,
who can help you to rule out other types of anxiety-
related behaviors.

How is separation anxiety treated?
In dogs, the most effective therapy for separation anxiety
often involves a combination of behavior modification
and anti-anxiety medication. It is likely that this would
be true in the case of cats as well.

It may be possible to make the time surrounding the
owner's departure less stressful for the cat, by making
some changes in the normal routine. For 15 minutes prior
to leaving and upon returning home, the owner should
ignore the cat. Leaving a distracting toy can be helpful.
Another option is to hide very tasty food treats (cooked
chicken) in various places in the house. Other toys the
cat especially likes should be taken out just before the
owner leaves, and put away once the owner returns. When
the owner returns, the cat should basically be ignored
for approximately 15 minutes.

Making the cat's environment more stimulating may help,
also. A comfortable perch that allows a view from a
window can provide entertainment, especially if there is
a bird feeder in sight. Climbing ledges or carpeted towers
with attached toys can be fun also. Leaving a radio or TV
on softly can be comforting; some cats enjoy "cat videos"
with sounds and pictures of birds and other small creatures.
Some cats may be less anxious with another animal in the
house, but this depends on the individual cat and may or
may not be a good solution.

In some cases, anti-anxiety medication may also be needed
for a short time period. These medications may include
Buspar, Prozac, and Clomicalm. These are not labeled
specifically for use in cats, and their use must be prescribed
and monitored by your veterinarian.

Future research will give us more information about the
incidence, cause, and treatment of separation anxiety in
cats, and help us to make life better for our feline friends.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Jan. 19, 2009