Anxiety In Cats Research Paper
Does Your Cat Have Separation Anxiety?
Most people are not aware that cats can suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs are adept at showing their displeasure at being left alone. They may howl and tear things up when their owners are gone. Cats, however, are more subtle. A cat owner needs to pay close attention to what her kitty is telling her, or she may not understand her cat's behavior.
Cat Anxiety Symptoms
Does your cat do any of these things?
• He Follows you around the house, from one room to another.
• Shows signs of distress when you leave, including meowing, sulking, slinking away, hiding, and even acting depressed.
• Meows loudly after you leave. (You can use a tape recorder to monitor this behavior.)
• Refuses to eat if he is alone. …show more content…
• Overdoes his grooming when you are not present. This practice can progress to compulsive self-grooming even when you are home.
• Claws and scratches doors when he is left alone.
• Urinates or even defecates on your clothing or belongings when you are absent.
• Greets you like you have been gone for years when you come home.
What Causes Separation Anxiety In Cats?
There can be many reasons. Sometimes your cat bonds too closely with you. This can happen with orphaned kittens, kittens who are weaned early, and kittens bought at pet stores. Sometimes genetic factors play a part. Siamese and Burmese cats may be more prone to developing separation anxiety. Some cats inherit a nervous or anxious disposition.
Sometimes a cat owner adds to the problem by encouraging the cat to get excited when the owner returns home because it is seen as a sign of attachment. Excessive attachment and overdependence is the basic cause of separation anxiety.
A cat owner may think it is cute when her kitten follows her all over the house, and may not even realize that a problem could be developing.
How To Help A Cat With Separation
Most people are not aware that cats can suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs are adept at showing their displeasure at being left alone. They may howl and tear things up when their owners are gone. Cats, however, are more subtle. A cat owner needs to pay close attention to what her kitty is telling her, or she may not understand her cat's behavior.
Cat Anxiety Symptoms
Does your cat do any of these things?
• He Follows you around the house, from one room to another.
• Shows signs of distress when you leave, including meowing, sulking, slinking away, hiding, and even acting depressed.
• Meows loudly after you leave. (You can use a tape recorder to monitor this behavior.)
• Refuses to eat if he is alone. …show more content…
• Overdoes his grooming when you are not present. This practice can progress to compulsive self-grooming even when you are home.
• Claws and scratches doors when he is left alone.
• Urinates or even defecates on your clothing or belongings when you are absent.
• Greets you like you have been gone for years when you come home.
What Causes Separation Anxiety In Cats?
There can be many reasons. Sometimes your cat bonds too closely with you. This can happen with orphaned kittens, kittens who are weaned early, and kittens bought at pet stores. Sometimes genetic factors play a part. Siamese and Burmese cats may be more prone to developing separation anxiety. Some cats inherit a nervous or anxious disposition.
Sometimes a cat owner adds to the problem by encouraging the cat to get excited when the owner returns home because it is seen as a sign of attachment. Excessive attachment and overdependence is the basic cause of separation anxiety.
A cat owner may think it is cute when her kitten follows her all over the house, and may not even realize that a problem could be developing.
How To Help A Cat With Separation