Does my cat have seperation anxiety?

Question

Everytime I leave he meows at me and then runs to his food bowl and begins eating.

I got a dog a month ago and that seems to have eased it, but he still whines at me

Answer 1

Aww thats like my kitten. My mom is home sometimes while im at school so he's not always alone but as soon as I come in that door he starts crying until i pick him up. She/He just wants to be loved. They feel safe with you and they want that safety everywhere they go.

Answer 2

Hi Rick...Separation anxiety can affect cats. Massive publicity about a new pharmacological medication treatment for separation anxiety in dogs (Clomicalm, Novartis Animal Health) has clued most pet owners in to the existence and nature of separation anxiety in that species.

Cats with separation anxiety don’t howl and bay like dogs and they don’t chew on doors and windowsills in frantic attempts to escape. Their misery is far less obvious and it sometimes takes a sleuth of an owner to appreciate what is going on. Separation anxiety in any species implies a lack of confidence and an over-dependence on others. It is likely that genetic factors play a role in increasing susceptibility to separation anxiety though environmental factors are ultimately responsible for its expression. Genetic factors include emotional sensitivity and a predisposition toward anxiety. Certain oriental breeds, such as Siamese and Burmese, may be more prone to develop separation anxiety than cats with more robust temperaments, like Maine coons.

Environmental factors often involve improper bonding experiences when cats are young. Orphaned kittens, early-weaned kittens, and pet store bought kittens are probably at the greatest risk of developing this stressful condition. Combine the sensitive personality with inappropriate early lifetime experiences and you have a recipe for disaster of this kind.

Signs of feline separation anxiety

Over-attachment to the owner, following that person from room to room around the house.

Distress as the owner prepares to depart (so-called pre-departure anxiety). This can take many forms but some of the more common presentations are meowing, sulking, apparent depression, slinking away, and hiding.

Vocalization (crying, moaning, meowing) right after the owner has left (you might need to set a tape recorder to check this sign).

Anorexia – the affected cat is often too anxious to eat when left alone.

Inappropriate elimination – often in the form of urine marking, though fecal marking may also sometimes occur. Deposits of urine or feces are often near to the door from which the owner has departed or are on that person’s clothing, bed sheets, or other personal effects.

Vomiting - only in the owner’s absence.

Excessive self-grooming. This starts as a displacement behavior but can progress to compulsive self-grooming, if unchecked. In the latter scenario, excessive self-grooming no longer occurs only when the owner is away but will also be expressed during the owner’s presence.

Destructive behavior – rare, but some cats may claw and scratch door edges presumably in an attempt to escape from their solitary confinement.

Exuberant greeting behavior – as if greeting a long lost friend that they did not expect to see ever again.

For more articles on feline separation anxiety:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1310&articleid=2372
http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/separation_anxiety.html
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_separation_anxiety.html

Answer 3

First of all: that's really really adorable. XD

I don't think he has seperation anxiety but cats in general like to do what they want. Over time his routine may change because he feels like it. That or he's saying "buy me more food" as he runs over to his bowl as an example.

Answer 4

confident. Your cat has not been waiting to have confidence which you at the instant are not likely to bypass away her. (And hopefully you will not ;D) So whilst she will't see you, she needs to to make certain which you're nonetheless there and along with her. attempt getting her a companion cat. (ideally lady) as quickly as she gets greater settled, she gets better bc she will have confidence you greater and understand which you like her and could not abandon her. wait and notice and don't be one in each of those individuals who dumps their damaging cat at a shield bc of fixable or harmless behaviour. GL!!

Answer 5

Not to worry. Your cat is just doing his own thing. I had a cat which loved to be petted, but when you pet him he'd run straight to his food bowl and chow down.

Its just a personality thing.

Answer 6

My cat is fed in our bathroom so everytime you walk by the bathroom he screams at me demanding to be fed or pet while he eats, cats are just weird sometimes.

Answer 7

Yes in a way it is separation anxiety show more affection before and when you return home. They are like our children and we leave them home alone.

Answer 8

i have 5 cats and they all love me. they get realy attached to their owner. some are 1 people cats. they eat to ease their pain from you eating. try taking away its food and give it more attemtion.

Answer 9

Cats rarely get separation anxiety. Maybe he's being sociable by "saying" Good-bye to you as you leave. Or he might be saying "don't go".

Answer 10

they get seperation anxiety our last cat was the same way