Last updated on: October 31, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Cats are sensitive animals who are in tune with our emotions and behavior. When you leave your cat alone at home too often or drastically change some of your habits, the cat may feel stressed and alone. It is necessary to be able to notice the symptoms of loneliness, as it can develop into depression if not resolved quickly.
For this reason, we have compiled a list of the most common symptoms that your cat will show to show you that he is feeling lonely and needs more attention. Be sure to read them carefully and if you recognize one, try to give your kitten some extra love and attention.
The 8 signs that your cat is alone:
1. Eating Problems
Cats are creatures that love daily routines and keeping certain habits consistent. When it comes to eating, they have a tradition that they will follow, which involves feeding at the same time of day or eating the same amount of food. When this feeding ritual changes drastically, your cat may experience some stress. If your cat has a poor appetite, it may be the result of depression or extreme boredom. Their routine will be completely disrupted if they experience anxiety due to loneliness.
Some cats can even develop an abnormal condition called pica, which causes them to crave inedible foods. This condition can occur due to serious illnesses, compulsive disorders, dietary deficiencies, or simply boredom and loneliness.
2. Lethargy
As most people know, depression and loneliness can significantly drain your energy, preventing you from socializing, completing basic daily tasks, or even getting out of bed. The same thing can happen with our furry companions. Cats are very sensitive beings, especially when it comes to the emotions of their human parents. They will often notice depression or loneliness in their owner and will be in tune with this particular emotion. It will often be easy for the owner to spot signs of loneliness in their cat, particularly because they will show a lack of interest and become lethargic.
This may be one of the first and most important signs that you need to spend more time with your cat.
3. Aggressive and destructive behavior
Cats feel loneliest when they are home alone because they have no stimuli to keep them occupied and entertained. If your cat spends a lot of time alone at home during the day, it won’t be long before he begins to behave strangely or even aggressively. One of the most common causes of unexplained aggression in your cat is boredom or loneliness.
Make sure you spend quality time with your cats when you are home, and if they need to be left alone at home, provide them with plenty of toys and a comfortable resting area, and turn on the TV or the radio. This will keep them busy for a while, but nothing can replace the time your cat spends wanting to play and cuddle with you.
4. Litter Box Problems
One symptom that might indicate your cat is feeling stressed or lonely is the inability to use the litter box as usual. Before jumping to conclusions and suspecting an illness or medical condition, the answer could be as simple as being stressed. If your cat suddenly begins to mark around the house, including your belongings, this may be a way of communicating that he feels stressed when left home alone.
5. Becoming sticky
When your cat gets too attached to you, follows you everywhere you go and always lies down next to you, this can be a clear sign that he is not feeling very well emotionally. Your cat is probably feeling lonely and needs more interaction with you. Separation anxiety is a real concern that many animals exhibit at some point in their lives and they can display extremely needy and clingy behavior.
You can solve this problem by providing your cat with plenty of activities when he is alone. Place food puzzles around the house to mimic their hunting instincts, leave out an abundance of toys, and provide them with perches to look out from.
6. Strange sleeping habits
As with other symptoms of depression or loneliness, you can expect your cat to spend a lot of time sleeping during the day. Cats typically need 12 to 18 hours of sleep per day to help their bodies recharge, gain energy for the next day, and strengthen their immune systems. If you notice that your cat is sleeping excessively, more than usual, it may be due to depression caused by loneliness.
7. Change in Grooming Habits
A routine that cats love is grooming themselves. Grooming is good for a cat’s skin and can even have a soothing effect on it. When cats feel stressed, lonely, or bored, they tend to groom themselves excessively to cope with a stressful situation. Suppose your cats are often left alone at home or there is a new member in the family and they feel neglected. In this case, they may groom themselves obsessively, which is also known as psychogenic alopecia.
8. Meowing excessively
If your cat meows excessively, you probably need to look into the cause and solution. Once you’ve ruled out any potential conditions or physical pain, it may be time to review how you spend time with your cat. One of the main reasons your cat is excessively vocal will be boredom, loneliness, or stress. If your pet spends too much time alone during the day, organize lots of different activities. Spend quality time with your cat and you should quickly notice a change in their mood.
How to Keep Your Cat Happy and Loved
One of the best ways to avoid wondering if your cat is alone is to make sure. has everything he needs to stay content and happy. Your cat needs to feel loved rather than neglected. It’s crucial to have times during the day when you play with your cat, teach him tricks, groom him, and cuddle him.
You should also provide your cat with plenty of entertaining activities to do throughout the day, like a scratching post, string toys, a window perch and toys your kitten will enjoy. Every cat has its own preferences, so trying many different techniques will tell you what your cat likes.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has all the information you need to understand if your cat is lonely. These pretty creatures sleep a lot all day, but they will want their favorite person by their side when they are awake. Enjoy every second of playing with your cat, learning their communication skills, and watching them become a beloved pet. If you stick to this, you will never have to worry about your pet feeling lonely.
Featured image credit: medveda, Shutterstock
About the Author
Mom cat to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten who is her one and only child. For the moment! Throughout her life, she was introduced to the special love found in the bond with a cat. Having owned several felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. Passionate about educating the public about everything there is to know about felines, their behavior and their unique personalities, Crystal is dedicated to ensuring that all cats and their owners know the importance of mindful living – and to love!