What is
separation anxiety?
Most people will
associate separation anxiety with dogs, who by nature are pack
animals. However, cats too can suffer from separation anxiety.
This problem occurs in some cats when they have a particularly
close bond with their owner. It may be the result of genetics &
breed disposition or their individual personality or as a result
of being hand reared from an early age.
What are the
signs of separation anxiety?
Signs of
separation anxiety may include;
-
Inappropriate
urination or defecation, sometimes this will be on the owners
personal effects such as clothing, bedding etc.
-
Excessive
vocalisation
-
Excessive
grooming or hair pulling
-
Hiding or
sulking as the owner prepares to leave
-
Hiding
-
When the owner
is home, the cat follows him/her around the house, from room
to room
-
Anorexia
What should I do?
The first thing is
to take your cat to the veterinarian for a thorough check up to
rule out a medical problem.
Never physically
punish a cat who has toileted outside the litter tray. This will
cause the cat to fear you, cause stress & quite possibly
exasperate the problem.
De-sensitisation
may be recommended. This involves gradually de-sensitising the
cat to your departure. Coming & going for gradually extended
periods of time. For example the first step you may put on your
shoes & coat, but not leave, after a period of time your cat
should begin to no longer display signs of anxiety, which means
you can move further along by leaving
the house for a minute or two, slowly build up the amount of
time you leave the house for.
When you arrive or
leave home don't make a fuss of your cat. For 15 minutes prior
to departure or after you've come home ignore the cat.
Provide your cat
with a stimulating environment to keep him/her entertained when
you are not home. This may include hiding food treats around the
home, giving him/her a cat perch to watch the world outside,
providing plenty of cat toys & putting on a special cat video.
Use Feliway
diffusers of Feliway spray. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone
which mimics the cat's natural 'feel good' pheromone.
Keep the radio or
television on
when you are not home.
In severe cases
your veterinarian may recommend putting your cat on anti-anxiety
medication such as Clomicalm, Prozac or Buspar this is to be
used in conjunction with behaviour modification.
If behaviour
modification & medications don't work your veterinarian may be
able to recommend a feline behaviourist who can work with you &
your cat.
