It is a common notion out there that cats are solitary animals. While that may be true, it is very empathetic of you to actually get on your phone, click on that Google search button and type this up because the notion may not be completely true.
The masters of aloofness, the champions of “I don’t need anyone,” and yet, deep down, even these mysterious creatures have hearts that can start aching a little when they are left alone for a long time and not shown enough love. You would have caught your cat staring wistfully out the window or meowing at nothing and thought there’s probably got to be some demon out there your cat can sense, but it may be a lonely cry for all you know.
Do Cats Actually Get Lonely?
There have been several studies and observations done on cats and their emotions when they’re left alone for a long time. A lot of them found that cats do feel much less stressed when they are around their humans. Some studies even went ahead to say that the bond and dependence are the same way as between a dog and a human. (2)
While we do not have exact proof of it, we know one thing for sure: cats are fans of routines. They like to know when they will have food, when they will sleep, etc. So, when the routine is disturbed, cats find it difficult to adjust and often get stressed and anxious. This could be one explanation for cats feeling less stressed when their humans are around because then their routines are kept intact.
The second angle that we can consider is the impact of leaving cats alone for a long time but ensuring their routines are kept intact. Even in these cases, people have found that cats do feel a lack of companionship, and their stress levels indicate that.
This, of course, may vary from cat to cat, as every individual cat comes with their own need for social interaction and even tolerance, for that matter. We’ve seen cats that can be classified as dogs in the body of cats for the degree of socialization they tend to enjoy, and we’ve also seen cats, well, being cats.
Signs of Loneliness in Cats
Cats may not be able to tell you that they are lonely, and the fact that they are solitary creatures, it may be very difficult for you to confirm loneliness in a cat, as most of the time, it may feel like they are just fine. However, there are quite a few signs that a cat usually shows that can help you understand if the cat is asking for something like a cuddle. These include – (1)
A lot of meow-meow: Meowing is a language developed by cats mainly to interact with humans. So, if you see your cat going all out on meows, there is a high chance that they are calling you to spend some spend with them.
Destruction: When you don’t listen to what they are trying to say, some cats may resort to a more violent way of communicating their loneliness with you. It could include destructive behaviors like scratching furniture, toys, etc.
Withdrawal: You know how you don’t feel like doing anything at all when your favourite person is away? Cats can feel the same. They may sleep more to avoid interacting with anything else or just withdraw from doing anything in general.
Become a dog: If destruction doesn’t work, some cats may just turn themselves into dogs by behaving like one. They may start behaving clingier, asking for more attention, etc. It’s like they’ve been silently watching how dogs get all the attention and taking notes.
Litter-litter everywhere: The loneliness can even affect the littering behavior of some cats as they may start littering anywhere and everywhere as if they’ve forgotten all the box training you had given them.
Groom-groom – Cats and grooming can be used alternatively. But when cats feel lonely, they may take grooming to another level. You may even feel like they will lick their skin off some time.
How do cats get lonely?
One of the most obvious reasons for cats to get lonely is being left alone for a very long time. The number of hours for more than which it would not be okay to leave your cat alone would depend on the age of the cat. The smaller ones need more care and attention, leaving them for more than a couple of hours may not be a great idea. Adult cats can be fine during the day if you have to go to work.
Apart from that, changes like a new environment, loss of a companion, or major shifts in routine can also trigger feelings of loneliness in cats.
And lastly, certain breeds, like Siamese and Ragdolls, are known for being more prone to loneliness as they are seen to be more social than others in general.
How to Prevent Loneliness in Cats
If you know that you’re going to be away from a long time and your cat is going to be home alone for a lot of hours, here’s what you can do to avoid loneliness in them - (2)
Keep them busy: Toys, climbing trees, and window perches can help keep the cat mentally stimulated when alone.
Arrange for supplies – Make sure that food, water, a comfortable bed and a clean litter tray are always available and accessible to them throughout the day.
Background check – You can turn some white music on in the background for them so that they don’t hear silence throughout. You could also get a pheromone plug-in to help your cat stay calm.
The best way is to always get a replacement companion for them. It could be your neighbor, friend, relative, etc.
Do remember that even when you’re in the house, just being present won’t do the job of keeping them away from loneliness. Most people feel lonely in a crowd. The key is to spend quality time with them. It can and should include regular play sessions, petting, etc. You can even look at getting another pet. It could be a cat, or it could even be a dog. There are many cat-friendly dog breeds, and dog-friendly cat breeds out there.
How to know that a Cat is Content and Not Lonely?
A healthy and content cat will often be seen relaxed and grooming themselves in a comfortable position. Another sign of a healthy cat is a cat with a consistent appetite and litter box habits. And lastly, curiosity doesn’t kill the cat. If your cat is curious, exploring, and engaging in play, it’s very less likely that they will start feeling lonely.
How can Spot Pet Insurance help?
A lonely cat is not just a sad cat. It can even be a medically sick cat. You may see your cat excessively meowing, not eating properly, destroying furniture, etc., if they are in pain as well. Loneliness itself is like experiencing pain. But even if you’re spending quality time with your kitty, they could display such behaviors because of the pain and discomfort caused by an underlying medical condition which could be severe.
Cat Insurance helps to provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellness of their pets. With a Spot plan, pet parents can receive up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. This way pet parents can focus on caring for and supporting their pets. Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services.
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