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Cats are fun animals to live with. They tend to be unpredictable and usually have no problem communicating how they feel. They seem to be independent animals, yet they easily show their love and affection for their human and sometimes even animal family members, if you know how to read their body language. These things can lead us to wonder: Can cats get lonely? The short answer is yes, cats can get lonely, but not in the same sense as humans do. But why do cats get lonely, and what can we do about it as cat owners? Here is what you should know.
Here’s Why Cats Get Lonely
Cats can get lonely from spending too much time alone and not feeling fulfilled, both physically and mentally. They are not totally solitary animals, and while they can survive living on their own in the wild, as they are completely independent hunters, they can create groups usually consisting of females and their kittens. Pet cats, on the other hand, need camaraderie, affection, communication, and a sense of fulfillment to have a happy and healthy life. If your cat spends most of their time at home alone, you might notice either that they are extremely sociable and affectionate when you are home, they engage in undesirable and often destructive behaviors when you’re not there or that they tend to stick to themselves in their areas of the house.
Anytime your cat is at home alone, they may feel somewhat lonely, especially if they have previously been used to your company in abundance, and their environment is not stimulating enough. The more time they spend alone, the lonelier, more frustrated or anxious they may get. It’s important to take steps to ensure that your kitty does not spend most of their time alone at home while you are dealing with your busy life. The first step is to understand why your cat might get lonely and to look for signs of loneliness, which may include:
- Increased sleep
- Destructive behavior
- Aggression
- Litter box accidents
- Exaggerated vocalization
Loneliness is not something that some cats do well with. They need attention, playtime, physical exercise, environmental enrichment, and communication, and they will do just about anything to get it. So, you shouldn’t have a problem identifying when your kitty feels lonely, as they will likely let you know in various ways.
Can Other Cats or Pets Ease Loneliness?
Some cats can benefit from having another cat in the house, depending on the situation, their age, characters, early socialization, and the process of introduction. Older cats may not appreciate another younger cat being around, as they can easily get annoyed with playful and curious behavior, especially if they are suffering from any underlying or painful health issues. Kittens and younger cats can certainly benefit from having another cat around, especially when human family members aren’t around as often as they’d like them to be. However, keep in mind that cats don’t always get along, and any new cats and kittens will also need your attention, as well as their own resources, food and water bowls, toys, and litter boxes. They will also need regular veterinary care. It’s important to consider all this and the running costs of having another cat, before considering this as one of the possible solutions for your cat’s loneliness, not to mention it will not be an answer for all. Bringing a new cat may make some cats even more anxious and contribute to their loneliness.
How to Help Your Kitty Feel Less Lonely
If your kitty seems lonely, the first thing to do is ensure a clean bill of health. Some of the signs bored and frustrated cats may exhibit can also indicate an underlying health issue. Schedule a checkup with your veterinarian and make sure they are healthy. Then ensure you give your cat plenty of attention and spend quality time with them, playing and cuddling them. Physical exercise will reduce their boredom and make them feel fulfilled and content. Enrich their environment so they can exhibit their natural behaviors, such as scratching and stretching out using their scratch posts, jumping and pouncing, using cat trees and perches, observing the birds through windows, or experiencing the outdoors through secure and enclosed catio.
If your cat is young or a kitten, and you are prepared for the additional responsibility of owning a second cat and all that comes with it, you can consider adopting a second cat in hope the kitties can keep each other company. It is also important to spend more time with your cat, whether another animal is in the picture or not. Consider coming home 10 minutes earlier from a date or night out, and don’t forget that another cat is not a replacement for the attention your cat still requires from you.
When you spend time at home watching movies or reading books, call your cat over for cuddle time. Spend at least 10 minutes several times a day playing with your cat and communicating with them in some way. The more time that you spend with your kitty when you are at home, the less likely they will feel lonely when you aren’t. Create and maintain a routine throughout the week. Make sure your cat knows when to expect your departure and arrival. Give your cat a treat and spend 5 minutes cuddling whenever you get home, so they have something to look forward to. If you’ll be away from home longer due to work or meetings, dedicate another family member or a friend to spend some extra time with your kitty, so they are not as affected by this change.
What to Do When You Know You Won’t Be Around for a While
If you are planning a vacation, an extended long-distance work commitment, or anything else that will keep you away from home for a while, there are a few things that you can do to make sure your kitty doesn’t feel lonely while you are absent. First, make sure your kitty has plenty of toys, exercise, environmental enrichment, and activities to keep them busy. This is especially important if your cat doesn’t have a fellow pet companion to spend time with. It is also important to spend one-on-one time with your kitty before you leave, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Maybe throw a small ball around for your kitty to chase so they can get out some energy.
Find a trustworthy person who already knows your cat very well and can stay with them, to ensure they feel content and reassured during your absence. Make sure to receive regular updates and consider using pheromone diffusers that will help your cat feel relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Cats are interesting creatures, and they work hard to effectively communicate with us. They want nothing more than our attention and camaraderie. If they can’t get enough of our attention, they can become lonely and display signs of that emotion, which may include destructive behaviors. It’s important to keep an eye out for loneliness problems so you can nip them in the bud quickly.
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Featured Image Credit: veverkolog, Pixabay
