Contributor: Erin Wunderlich – Agricultural Communications Student at the University of Illinois and Vice President of National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
Please note that I received compensation from Champion Petfoods in exchange for this blog post – Erin Wunderlich – Agricultural Communications Student at the University of Illinois and Vice President of National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.
Bringing a kitten home is one of the most exciting moments we cat lovers experience in our lives. When I brought Bandit (my now seven-year-old cat) home from the shelter, he was as curious as a bat and as rambunctious as a monkey.
But as a year passed, I noticed that he started to sleep more often than usual, was not interested in playing with me, and would mope around the house.
At first I thought it might be because I wasn’t playing with him enough or giving him enough love. But eventually I figured out that he was just lonely.
With humans going to work or school every day, spending time with friends, and doing activities outside the home, our cats can get lonely — even if they are known for being solitary creatures.
What are the tell-tale signs of a lonely cat?
Specific changes in behavior, such as irregular sleeping, grooming, or eating habits might indicate that your cat is lonely. However, these changes in behavior can also be associated with other problems your cat might have – so don’t automatically assume and always consult with your vet about sudden changes in behavior or habits.
Veterinaries and experts like Samantha Bell: Cat Expert for Best Friends Animal Society agree there are specific signs that can indicate a lonely cat. Here are some indicators your cat may be lonely.
- Decrease in Energy
- A large indicator that your cat is lonely would be a decreased shift in their energy, meaning they have a lack of interest in playing, don’t want to move, and sleep more than usual.
- Destructive Behavior & Litter Box Issues
- A classic sign of distress among cats includes destructive behaviors such as clawing up furniture, knocking objects over, or peeing/pooping outside the litter box.
- Clingy or Needy Behavior
- If your cat generally won’t leave you alone when you get home from work or school, it could mean that you are not giving your pet enough social interaction.
- Change in Grooming Habits (or lack thereof)
- If you notice your cat looks messy, like they haven’t been cleaning themselves thoroughly enough (matts in the fur, cling-ons, etc.), this could be a sign that they are distressed.
- Excessive Weight Gain or Loss
- If you notice your cat does not eat as much as they usually do or that they’re always asking for more food, this might be a sign that your cat is trying to tell you it is feeling sad.
- Changes in Sleeping Habits
- If you notice that your cat sleeps longer than what is considered normal, they might be feeling depressed.
What can you do to help your cat from being lonely?
The first thing you can do to help your cat is to make sure there are no environmental stressors in your house. These might include unexpected people, new smells, a dirty litter box, mirrors, a non-safe sleeping space, and outdoor distractions.
Secondly, a great way to make your cat feel like it is not alone – especially when you are away from your home – is to drown out any loud noises, like cars honking or trucks driving by, by playing some soothing music or nature program on TV. These sounds can help relax your cat and give it some entertainment while you are not there.
Another way to make your cat feel less lonely is to increase their cognitive function throughout the day. This can be done with interactive toys that prompt them to use their problem-solving skills. A great example is a treat-dispensing toy that the cat has to solve before being rewarded. This will also help regulate their sleep patterns, as they will tire themselves out during the day and sleep more at night.
Finally, the best possible way to cure your cat’s loneliness is to get them a feline friend. When I noticed that Bandit was very depressed and not wanting to play at all, I convinced my family to get another kitten. Immediately there was a difference in his behavior. He started to play, ran around the house, and bonded with our new kitten Cosmo.
So, while cats are inherently independent creatures who stick to themselves, they can also get very lonely and need a friend to cheer them up.