1. They’ve become increasingly clingy. Are you suddenly struggling to move around the house without falling over your feline? A cat who’s started following your every move is most likely telling you they need some extra attention. Separation anxiety can be extremely debilitating for cats, and while we obviously want to spend as much time with them as possible, that’s not always easy.
2. Change in eating habits. Whenever your cat’s eating habits change, it’s important we get to the bottom of the cause. An increase in appetite could be down to boredom as a result of less social stimulation. If your once ravenous cat is now leaving half of their meal untouched, it may be a sign they’re feeling stressed or a little depressed, due to spending too much time in the house alone. You should always monitor the amount your cat is eating closely, and if appetite problems persist, contact your vet.
3. Over/under grooming. Excessive grooming is generally triggered by a change in your cat’s routine/environment, or a medical condition. Anxiety, brought on by loneliness, is undoubtedly one of the more prominent causes, so check for other separation symptoms. At the other end of the scale, if you’ve noticed your feline has started looking more unkempt, like they’re not looking after themselves as much, that’s a clear red flag that something is wrong and needs checking out.
4. Aggressive behaviour. When a cool, calm and collected cat starts acting out — scratching the furniture, refusal to use the litter box, aggressive behaviour — we need to nip these negative habits in the bud. If you suspect their mood swings are a direct result of loneliness then it may be time to add another cat to the family.
5. They miss their friend(s). A cat who is used to feline company, but has become the sole pet of the property for whatever reason, will in all likelihood begin to exhibit some, if not all, of the above signs of loneliness. You’ll probably notice them moping around the house, looking lost without their partner in crime. There are numerous ways to try and cheer up a lonesome cat —but the quickest, and simplest (depending on your situation) — is to bring home a new mate for them (and you) to hang out with.