Does Your Cat Have Separation Anxiety? You Might Be Making it Worse!

Does your cat have separation anxiety? You might be making it worse! In this video I’ll break down the common signs of separation anxiety and give you my best tips to help your cat feel confident and secure when you leave.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:36 Signs of Separation Anxiety
4:35 Causes of Separation Anxiety
7:02 What can you do about Separation Anxiety
11:22 How you are making Separation Anxiety worse
14:59 Further treatments
Products mentioned in this video
Separation Anxiety Solution
www.jacksongalaxy.com/product...
Stress Stopper Solution
www.jacksongalaxy.com/product...
Videos referenced
Paul Dinning's Video for Cats KZbin Channel
www.youtube.com/@PaulDinningW...
Quarantine Tips
• How to deal with and e...
Separation Anxiety QA Video
• What does Separation A...
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[@elliek25]

I promised my cat he would never be alone overnight - he'd been abandoned and was fine in the daytime but woke me up every half hour at night for the first couple weeks after I brought him home. So when I need to be away, i pay one of the cattery assistants from rescue centre I got him from to live in my house. They love each other so it works very well.

[@christellelouise211]

Bless you for that!

[@adamhbrennan]

Very sweet / considerate

[@nataliedibnah6409]

Aww... poor sweetheart 🙏💞 so glad he's relaxed and happy now.

[@GemUnicornn]

That's really lovely ! I don't think if I had to go anywhere I would just leave my cats. One of mine is so needy they would go to my brother or parents cos they are familiar with them

[@charlenetowneruk]

Get a cat buggy tell ppl u couldn't get a baby sitter lol

[@rayne1213]

I'm dealing with a depressed cat now. We just lost our sweet Tigger after an illness. His best friend, Brutus, had stopped eating and drinking when Tigger fell ill. I took both to the vet and he diagnosed Brutus with depression. Brutus was in my arms when we had to end Tiggers suffering. The loud long cry he made when Tigger took his last breath just about ended me. It's been a week since Tigger passed. We are giving Brutus iv subcutaneous fluids at home twice a day. I'm also syringe feeding him appetite stimulants from the vet. His grief is real and palpable. I'm starting to see improvement in him. He actually ate a few bites of food this morning. I don't think my heart could take losing both of them. Brutus has also gotten very clingy. He gets upset when I'm not in the room. He will come to the door and cry and bump it to get me to come out. I take all of this as a good sign. At least he's showing interest in something. Anything is better than how he's been.

[@branaginslaw]

Sorry you going through such a tough time. I hope it get better for you.

[@BrittWazz]

Omg that is so heartbreaking to read I’m ballin I’m sorry for what you’re goin through I pray it gets better take care of u n ur baby ♥️

[@dianamoore2241]

❤️..... Praying for you 🙏 in Knoxville Tennessee....you have my sympathy....

[@peterrichard3706]

Maybe get him a new friend, or a couple, lots of cats need adoption. Take his mind off of losing his friend. Just a thought.

[@rayne1213]

@peterrichard3706 I have 4 others. We had a total of 6 before we lost Tigger. Oddly enough they all paired off. Brutus and Tigger were my only males. Tigger would actually call for Brutus any time he lost sight of them. I've thought of maybe introducing another male. Right now though getting Brutus stable has been pur priority. And I would have to find a fit for the whole group. It's a delicate balance with this many cats.

[@rosemaryclarke2348]

I thought you'd all like to know that my Jackie came back today; after being missing since early November when she escaped from her carrier back from vets, and she just walked through the door eating as though she's never been away! Best Christmas present ever!!❤❤❤

[@alanawolf1556]

So happy for you and Jackie! 🥰

[@rosemaryclarke2348]

@@alanawolf1556 Thank you so much!❤️❤️👍

[@savvychipmunk2228]

Amazing !! Awesome gift

[@user-mx9gn1yo2j]

That’s great! Congratulations!

[@tbolt2948]

Two years ago I almost died and was rushed to the hospital. Although she had my sons with her she missed daddy and couldn't understand why I wasn't home. All she did was lay around and call for me. After three weeks she was very depressed and not eating well. When I was released from the hospital she did a lot of singing and I had a very warm lap!

[@kietzi]

funny thing with my cats: They really understand the words "everything will be alright". when i am at the vet and the doctor cant handle the cat, i look in his eyes, say the words and they are calm as a flower. When i am about to leave the house, cats look to me, i say the words, they go back to sleep. So maybe its also the energy you send out

[@grossberglawoffices9910]

My 1 year old cat is so clingy and lovey dovey I for sure thought she would pitch a fit when I came back from Mexico but all she did when I got back was ask me for dinner smh 🤦🏻‍♀️ turns out I was the one with separation anxiety

[@lorraineshepperd3563]

Totally understand, going away next year dreading leaving my babies for the first time.

[@TigerLily408]

Same

[@noreenconstantine4612]

I know what you mean

[@otherworldlyfiction]

I’m babysitting a kitty right now, and she’s pouting over her parents being gone. This is good timing.

[@davinasquirrel7672]

I suggest to play with the kitty. It will distract her, and give her a positive experience.

[@lynntunes]

She’s not pouting, she’s anxious. That’s not voluntary.

[@guitarsz]

wow, you are the best cat sitter ever, to care enough to watch a video for someone ELSE's cat? They are SO lucky to have you...

[@iainmelville9411]

When I was working long shifts in a hospital, my cat would lay across me as soon as I’d wake up. She would not move, she’d go ridged. When I’d get home, she would ignore me ( when all I’d want to do is cuddle and play ), and she’d leave little messages and things lying around. This was years ago, I’m retired now, and there’s still not a day I don’t think about her, and I still miss her. The scary thing is - and this is the first time I’ve told anyone this - I feel guilty about it, I resent ever taking that job on. I feel like I failed her. Thanks for giving me a chance for expressing my feelings.

[@guitarsz]

cat's really are special creatures. Thank you for sharing your feelings.

[@ryancrist9565]

I had a period where I had to be away from my cat and my home for 75 days. The door to my room was left shut so she couldn't pee on anything while I was away. I came back to find 14 poops had been pushed under my door. Lol she was so mad at me, maybe she thought I was in there and she really just wanted to let me know what she thought of me locking myself up in there 24/7 and never letting her in. She was with my mom and dad the whole time but I'm her man. Poor thing didn't know what to do with herself without me.

[@muzerhythm2242]

Another point to add: Prepare for unexpected. Make sure you have trusted family or friend get aquinted with your cat just in case you are away from home longer than expected. 3 weeks ago I was sick and had gallbladder attack, thought I was only going to be in the hospital overnight but it was more serious affecting my liver and pancreas so I needed to be on IV for few days to calm them down before I had surgery. Thank goodness I got to know my downstairs neighbors and called my apartment office to give OK for them to have a key and check on my cat. She had met them before so she wasn't scared of them but meowed wondering where I was.

[@TheAGcollector101]

I absolutely wish more people would think about this! I knew someone who had cats and ended up needing to go to the hospital for about a week. One family member was out of the country, the others were busy, so while the cats got some food they sort of just had to fend for themselves for a while, and it was heartbreaking for both the owner and the cats. When you are your cat's only source of food and social interaction, an emergency for you is also an emergency for them.

[@Loverofcats101]

Easier said than done when like mine ur cat won't let any1 within 10f of her

[@artiegatsby4879]

I got Gizmo a couple weeks before lockdown. He was a kitten, then. He's a ragdoll tabby mix, really social. My brother stays at home and when I go out for work, he tells me Gizmo cries at the door for a while, but he's just throwing a tantrum. He rolls around, cries, acts like he's dying, then he gets over it and goes about his day. I think that's thanks to my brother always being at home to keep him company, so I'm lucky for that.

[@forbebe]

So good to hear this. I go out often. Our new kitten is 5 months old. But my husband is home all the time. Every once in a while, we go out together for a couple hours. But never in any routine. Random times. It makes me feel better that at least he’s there to keep him company! They BOTH NEED COMANY!

[@elenaculcer5405]

My two cats greet me when I get home walking around my ankles while meowing at me.

[@starrywizdom]

Our late dear old kitty Rufus had been abandoned by his former family -- they just moved away & left him. Whenever we'd be packing suitcases for a trip or packing up boxes for any reason he would start to get very anxious, climbing in & out of the boxes even though he normally didn't care for boxes at all. We helped him by making sure that there were many times that we packed things up & then nobody went anywhere. Even when some of us needed to travel for a while, at least one person would always stay at home with him. Eventually, he stopped freaking out about the packing of suitcases & boxes. We always felt very flattered how much he came to trust us even after his early bad experience.

[@suem6004]

Yep. Quit my job and stayed home with the cats. Ok so I worked from home. Their little pouting faces when I would leave for work..

[@Sarah-do9my]

make steps to a window (anti burglar bar) and steps out side and the come and go as they please till you get home. my cats love it!!!

[@suem6004]

@@Sarah-do9my Not sure I follow. My cats want me, their mama, and not access to outdoors.

[@sailorsylveon5610]

Cats are so smart it’s scary sometimes. Mine learned which clothes I wear to go out and would know when I was leaving the house just based on my outfits 😅

[@FlwrCats76]

Same! I'm always in leggings because I work from home. So whenever they see me put on jeans and shoes, they know I'm about to leave the house. lol

[@lostinmyimagination7485]

Yes. My car knows when i put on my nurse's uniform at night aim about to head out. We eat at the same time and i talk to him while i get ready. I can tell he has stared getting lonely so im about to get someone for him to play with.

[@jenniferkornhaber3011]

My cat has separation anxiety. Even if I just go outside for a minute. She will start crying and I have to tap on the window, to let her know I am right there. She will get in the window and peak at me through the blinds or tries to crawl through them. If I leave for longer periods of time, i put on relaxing music for cats. I was homeless when I got her and there was a few times when she had to stay with a friend cause I was living in my car or on the street. We finally got a place to live a year ago and I have definitely noticed that she gets upset and she is clingy when I get home. The music seems to help.

[@joywilliams9864]

Glad you got a place

[@DragonsBreatheCrazy]

Yes! I helped raise kittens from birth and ended up adopting 2 of them. One of my cats had bad separation anxiety, and i watched some of your videos about it. The biggest help for him personally was changing MY behavior. I stopped consoling and making a big deal about leaving. I let him watch through windows. I changed up some routine. 3 years later, and he is one confident cat! I also made it a point to leave the house for varying times JUST so he would know that he will be fine. Now, i suffer more from separation anxiety than he does, lol!

[@davinasquirrel7672]

I know! I get more separation anxiety now than my cat does. I miss her when I am at work. She sleeps through most of it!

[@monicapuccetti3310]

This is so good to hear as we’ve got two hand raised sisters (4 months old now, been with us since 2 1/2 months, went into foster care after being found orphaned at 2 weeks old) one of whom is super confident (the littlest one) and one who is much more reserved, but who is also bonding to me maybe a little too much for her own good. Lots of crying at the bedroom door at night, and apparently at the front door when I leave (my husband told me about this when he was home and I’d gone out, apparently she spent about 5 minutes meowing at the door). I don’t want to make it worse accidentally, what should I avoid doing that helped your babies?

[@viegasj]

I was one of the guys that adopted a cat during the pandemic. A wonderful little tortoiseshell cat. When I resume my daily routine of going back to the office realized she was started to get depressed, always sad, didn't want to play anymore. Setup a camera at home to check the behavior while I was not around and saw she cried for the whole 10 hours while I was away. Broke my heart.

[@shigeokarika7928]

I had to go overseas for one year and been unable to bring my cats with me. I left to my dad a 3 pages manual so he can continue the routine I made, and I’m calling them everyday so they can hear my voice . They show no sign of anxiety and I’m sooooo reassured ❤

[@davinasquirrel7672]

So clearly I am not the only person who talks to their cats when away for extended periods. Phew!

[@megapiglatin2574]

People have often looked at me a little sideways when I have told them, but 110% my cat has separation anxiety. It was relatively mild the first couple years, but then got MUCH worse once we (my cat and I) moved states because we bounced between a couple chaotic living situations for the first few years…once things stabilized his anxiety improved, but it was still noticeable (even *with* medication and a stable household). It used to be so bad that if I was gone for even just 24 hours he would have trouble eating and would immediately begin to have digestive problems-and that’s despite being at home with my (ex-)partner)! These days he still certainly still has anxiety, but my fiancé works from home and my cat absolutely ADORES him and seems to feel quite safe with him, so it’s easily manageable. In fact, not only have I been able to travel without my cat having physical problems, but both my fiancé and I have been able to travel for multiple days on end while he is looked after by a pet sitter! He also no longer has to take medication for his anxiety, which is a huge improvement (it shows in his personality). ❤

[@Happylittledumpling]

Getting a second cat did wonders for our cat with separation anxiety. He still gets a bit triggered if I’m working long hours but his freakouts have gone from multiple times a day to maybe once a month. It’s much more manageable and we’re all so much happier. Plus I got a second much loved fur baby out of it!

[@kimberlylepine5115]

I adopted an adult cat who had suffered trauma before entering the shelter system. It took him about a year to settle down and be able to tolerate us leaving for more than a few hours during the day. If we went on vacation and left him with a caregiver, he would lick his fur off his leg. We did ritual, rhythm and routine with him for a year before we traveled overnight again. He did stop the licking behavior after he felt secure and knew he could trust us even when we traveled. It just took time (along with the enrichment toys and posts). It can be done!

[@davinasquirrel7672]

Trauma cats are fairly slow to settle in. But when they do, what a change!

[@lynntunes]

My 15-yr-old (voluntarily) indoor cat marched off in the backyard the end of August & was missing 29 days. I searched daily and went to great lengths to find him, from door to door, to social media, cameras, traps everything. When I finally found him a mile away in the most unlikely direction he weighed just 6 1/2 lbs. He has recovered pretty well but there are three behaviors that are new. 1. He gets freaked out, jumps up on the kitchen counter and hides in the corner. He knows it’s off limits and this is new. 2. He frequently wants me to pick him up, take him to his food and scoot it around. Sometimes he acts like he didn’t know it was there. 3. Just after I go to bed, if he’s not in bed yet, he will yowl like he lost me - even if we are in the bedroom and I turn off the light. I wonder if he was locked in somewhere during his time of being missing. But there’s no way of knowing. I don’t know what more to do to make him not scared. He even cries if I just go in the garage and shut the door to the house. He has gained some weight back but is still thin and he always has food available.

[@nickrowan]

My one cat has bad separation anxiety. When my wife and I went away for a week he didn't eat for the first two days. Then when we got bad he wouldn't leave my side and would frantically meow if he didn't know where I was.

[@davidadams2395]

See, I won't even leave my cats overnight. First, I have separation anxiety. Second, we are new to the area and have no one we can trust to come by. Third, we have 5 cats from ages 1 to 9, and I care for 3 strays outdoors.

[@KnotRight]

That sounds like my cat. ..

[@MrVovansim]

It's crazy how similar cats are to kids. The whole thing about "just leave the house without making a big deal of it" rings so true. When we go out on a date, and leave the kids with a babysitter, my wife always starts talking to them like, hey, it's going to be ok, we will be home soon. It makes it so much worse. Here they are, just excited to hang out with the babysitter, and then they see her kinda freaking out, and start feeling bad also.

[@catcolb11]

Years ago I had a Siamese rescue who had really bad separation anxiety. I used to call on the phone and talk to the cats (thru the answering machine) every day. The one time I couldn't call (international travel), my Siamese trashed my apartment!

[@Senteri]

Today we bought all the things we need to adopt a cat. It will be the first time living with a cat. My fiancee is very happy since she grew up with cats. :)

[@aliceelizabethfinlay6562]

I always worry about leaving him (my baby … my cat, but he’s like my actual baby- I know you all understand!)!I feel so bad even when I am getting ready for work- he KNOWS my routine! He can tell my pace picks up and I shower etc. So he attacks my legs, and somehow knows which bag I am taking to work that day and my clothes I need to wear , and sits on exactly what I need. I feel awful leaving him, and always go back to check on him on my breaks. I worry he is unstimulated when I am gone, so I have to keep telling myself that I can’t give him a home and food if I don’t work . But I still feel so bad leaving him.

[@julybliss4440]

I have lost alot of jobs because of this issue. Can't do without his outdoor cage. Made it worse being carpenter and inconsistent drives and times from home. They loved when I get laid off or didn't have to work till later start times one day from the next. Be already heading down drive way and then decide to call off as he sits in window. Or even make it down road and just can't do it. Especially being worried about house disasters and emergency exits.

[@donnabaardsen5372]

I feel exactly the same about my girl, Babette, a Siamese mix who is five now. She's my cat-child, my baby.

[@aliceelizabethfinlay6562]

@@donnabaardsen5372 ♥️ they are almost literally our surrogate babies 😻

[@amenhotep7704]

Mine too !

[@karenwilson9974]

My cat's case is the opposite of excessive elimination, he became constipated, often. In the first half of 2023 I had spent almost $2000 on vet visits because of constipation. It wasn't just separation anxiety, it was me also bringing home my own stresses. Cat's feel and mirror your own stress. We all good now though, he even has a little sister to keep him company while I'm at work.

[@jlstiver8322]

Zeus had horrible abandonment issues when he and his brother came to me. It took a lot of time, but he started to trust I'd be back. It cleared up entirely until his brother passed. I started leaving the TV on for him when I left and he'd be chill when I got home. If I forgot (or when the TV died), I'd get home to a stressed cat desperate for immediate love, tripping me on the way to the bathroom, and extremely vocal. Yes...I got a new TV for him. He was the sweetest boy and I miss him so much.

[@dragonofmordor]

Mourning can definitely cause it. My dad passed in march, and he and my kitty would spend a lot of time together while I was at work. She's doing okay now, but for several months she was having separation anxiety.

[@snowyalice]

My girl, Mollie, has separation anxiety due to the nature of how I got. Originally she was my grandparents' cat but when they suddenly passed she was left mostly by herself for four days (someone came to check in on her each day) until I could go up to get her. The first night she slept with me the entire night. She's so happy when I get home from work each day.

[@RajaReign78]

I rescued 2 brothers who had been neglected, starved, given marijuana, liquor, and thrown against the walls as kittens. They were about 6 months old when I got them and didn’t get along with each other. So I gave one of the boys to my best friend who absolutely spoiled him and treated him like her baby. I’ll never forget the first time my hubby and I went to the grocery store for a few hours when we came back he was a wreck. Eventually he realized that unlike his last owners we would be back and give him attention as well as food and toys. He lived 14 years and turned into the coolest kitty ever. His brother also thrived with my best friend. RIP Twister mommy & daddy miss you everyday.

[@RosheenQuynh]

Oh my word!

[@TalaiRain]

I take my keys with me every time I go out my front door, whether I'm going to be gone for a minute or two (taking out the trash or getting mail) or all day (leaving for work). It has reduced stress for my cats as I leave. They are still very clingy when I get home (no matter how long i was gone 🤣), but less depressed.

[@debrawondergem1528]

We are a retired couple with 2 precious kitties. When we travel (RV) they come with us. We are a family of 4. One of our girls will meow/yell while walking through the house if she can’t see us. 🙀 I know she is searching and I will call out “mommy is in here, come on” and she will run to me😸 I get more love from her than from our 2 boys growing up😻😹 We can read their moods most of the time, if you pay attention it’s easy. ❤❤

[@sunnijo]

When I moved away from my old roommate and his cat, my cat got extra clingy, and he would cry and block the door every time I had to leave for work. I ended up getting a second cat, and the two of them were snuggling on my bed together after about two hours of knowing each other. I introduced them to each other in separate rooms and everything, but they did so well so fast that I felt comfortable with them physically interacting within the first hour. My first cat was so much happier after I got him a friend.

[@bearfog07]

When myself and my housemate went to Melbourne, I made sure my mum moved in for the 5 days and told her the basic routine for my cat. She (the cat- lol) was a bit agitated at what I was doing around the house with a suitcase, something she hadn't seen for a long while. Mum was at my place when we left and when she packed up to go home, the cat took herself off to my bedroom. When we came back I switched on the light only to find my kitty totally asleep on the bed. I surprised her and her greeting was normal. In fact she got up and finished off the food mum left her! She is a super-senior (like my mum) lol, so I didn't want to disrupt her surroundings or routine!

[@unfilthy]

My husband went abroad for work for two whole months this past summer, and we have three cats who all love him. That was unpleasant. They all have very different personalities, but they all felt it, so they got super clingy. No closing the bathroom door for me. They'd watch me while I was showering. They'd freak out when I had to leave the house. The one who's most attached to hubby peed outside the box once, though thankfully not on the bed. All I could do was make sure I kept their routine super consistent, no deviations, so they knew at least the litter boxes are still clean, the feeding time still happens the same way every day, evening and morning routines are as expected, that sort of thing. And I didn't change anything around the house, including where I normally sit (no moving to hubby's side of the sofa!) So as little change apart from my husband not being there as possible. Then I had to do my best to give each of them all the attention I normally do plus the attention from hubby. One likes when hubby picks him up, one needs to get cuddles before he goes to sleep, one likes hubby brushing her, so I gave them their things that they got from him. It's not the same, but, again, as little change to their lives as I could manage. It was a lot of work, emotionally too (especially considering I missed him too! Plus I had to do all of hubby's chores and errands as well while having zero time to myself to recharge and without his support). But I understood what was happening and that it was temporary, and they didn't, so reassuring them to the best of my ability was the priority. Ultimately, they came through it okay. They still don't like it when we leave, and they spent a couple month clinging to hubby when he came back, but they're back to normal now, or as normal as they ever are.

[@Mortis845]

We adopted our cat, Sooth, from Egypt a few years ago, she lived on the streets of Cairo and we adopted her through a rescue organization that saves streets cats. She was flown all the way to the Netherlands and we don’t know a lot about her history, but from the start it was very clear she did not like being alone. I work from home so I could be there for her, but every time I would leave to the supermarket she would sit in front of the window, wail and she would only settle down and relax when I came back. In the end, we decided to adopt a second cat so she’d have a friend, this helped. Sadly, this second cat passed away from kidney failure last year, Milo (his name) and Sooth weren’t big friends, but Sooth started wailing at night and looking for him after he was gone.. it was absolutely heartbreaking. We decided to adopt a kitten, we read that female cats go well with kittens so we were hoping this would be a good new start for Sooth. This turned out to be a good decision, the kitten (Chi) was immediately well liked by Sooth. She’d follow Chi around, try to groom her and even taught her things like hunting, she displayed some motherly behavior which made us wonder if Sooth might have been a mom when she was still living on the streets of Cairo. Either way, she’s doing good, but Sooth still waits for us, especially for me (probably because she isn’t used to me leaving every day like she is with my bf) at the window. I always make sure to cuddle and hug her before I leave and after I return.

[@cherylmcnutt9905]

When my cat Mokie passed from cancer at age 10, his brother Maui and I both became very depressed for months.

[@laurataylor8717]

I got my current cat on Valentine's day 2020. She became very spoiled because for her first 3.5 years with me, I was either working from home, coming and going constantly or home for lunch almost every day. I now have a job that I go to every day and come home at night. I've noticed she licks herself while meowing at me. It breaks my heart because it feels like self soothing behavior.

[@TheToastwithTheAbsoluteMost]

My kitten was in his “home base” stage since we had just brought him home. After he became comfortable with me, he wouldn’t let me leave the room. I have another cat, so it was important for my kitten not to leave with me just yet. Everytime I left the room, he would zoom by and make it to the other side. I just couldn’t close the door with him in there. I threw a toy, and closed the door, and he cried. It was really hard. Now my cat and kitten are doing well together, and he is out of his home base stage.

[@crittermama]

We have 4 adult cats and a kitten with CH. I'm blessed to have a job that allows me to work from home full-time. The cats and I love our routine. I have terrible anxiety and so does our youngest adult cat, he abs I bonded because I underside his needs and he's smart, so he realized I was willing to make commodore with what I wanted in order to respect his needs. In times, he in turn started to show me to give him his abs kisses and let him. He will occasionally reward me with putting abs during in my lap by choice. I can even adjust him to come and see me later for a mask clipping. He doesn't like it, but he's figured out it's less traumatic to just calmly admire me to do it and it's over so much faster. I hate being away from my babies, but I just be sure they've been fed the TV is on in both the living room and bedroom and tell them I'll be back as quick as I can and I just go. The only time I make a big deal out of going out is when my anxiety kitty had to go to the vet. I tell him everyday for several days that we're going to have to go and set our the evil box of doom to help him prepare. It actually seems to be working. Our last trip to the vet wasn't a nightmare. He didn't fight nearly as much about getting in the box of doom and he didn't run and hide as soon as we got home. Cats are basically furry little people. Shoot, even the feral family of cats at my in-laws have started to tolerate my constant attempted to pet them just because they like food, they're have found they like being pet, even if they hate that they do. They all run to the car to greet me and the mama will around with me a bit. I think she's just making sure I'm not stealing her babies.

[@GrumpyMeow-Meow]

I adopted a sweet boy one year ago who had been abandoned at the vets office. He was fifteen then, which I suspect is the reason why he was left. He is very vocal if I’m not in the room with him. He makes a “hello” sound, but over and over, like playing Marco Polo. He is not destructive, and he sleeps on my head at night, lol.

[@beafakename8523]

This video really helped me with my own anxiety. My old kitty WIlloughby passed in September and I was worried my slightly younger kitty, Kurbis, would struggle with the loss. Every time I left the home I would be upset thinking he was truly alone now. But when I leave, I realise he's fine, he's usually sleeping on my bed or watching the TV (I leave on a live channel of birds and squirrels lol) and he's quite calm and uninterested. When I come home, he hasn't destroyed anything, he doesn't go outside his box, and usually he runs up to greet me and starts scratching his post I think he mostly doesn't like when I'm not home in the morning for his wet food breakfast lol He still has access to dry 24/7 (he doesn't overeat thankfully) and water so he's never hungry and never left for longer than an overnight I do intend to get another kitty his own age, he's about 10, since I know he loves having a buddy but I can't afford it just yet

[@ejmcph]

I had to go away internationally for 3 weeks, the longest I'd been away from my indoor rescue cat, who had been dumped, then in multiple foster homes before I got him. The day I was packing, he was sitting on everything, but wouldn't go to sleep, and was panic eating (ate what normally takes him all day in an hour or so). I had to physically remove him from on top of my luggage when I left, it broke my heart. He had a live in cat sitter whom he was familiar with, but the first week he continued scoffing his food, and slept most of the time in his carrier (things he never does). I realised the carrier had an old jumper that smelt like me in it. Once we had a video call after a week, he went back to eating normally. So we had another and that seemed to help (us both). When I got back, he was in the cariier, but hasn't been in it again since.

[@gypsy2]

Here's one for you . . . I'm over 70 and home almost all the time. My cat (Gypsy) was adopted at 2 years old, so I think she had abandonment issues from a previous owner. However, I go out for 3-4 hours (visiting or shopping), about once a week, leaving her bird videos on the tv, which she does watch. Upon my return, she sits on a chair or the bed near me, But with her back turned my way. She sits with her paws & feet tucked under & acts like I'm not even there. It's almost like when humans fold their arms with distain. I draw this conclusion because it has taken me more than a year to generally find her sleeping with her belly up & head thrown back. It took a lot of attention to get her to be so relaxed. 😽 Also she's a Tortoiseshell and they aren't known for being affectionate. But this one's seriously attached to me. I cure this with some laser play & she gets right back to normal. 😻 Whatever that is ?!? She knows that my return brings some serious playtime. Love Your videos, 💜 Thanx Jackson !! 🙏 Namaste

[@angellarussell196]

Someone forgot to tell my torti that they're not affectionate! She's a bloody hound! No separation anxiety though. She's also super confident.

[@wisdombeyondyears]

Every time I watch videos like this I’m just checking off the list “nope, don’t have that, doesn’t do that. All signs point to happy cats” and I am so grateful that it appears I’m doing everything right to the best of my knowledge.

[@sallyboyd1212]

I had to travel, taking two long trips. I discovered that it wasn't the cat with the anxiety, but me!! After the pandemic, I continued to work from home, and then retired. I make sure she gets fed and played with and she seemed to be doing ok. But this information is good to know!

[@sassyvelociraptor5625]

My cat Frankie really atruggled when i first got him. He was a rescue cat who had been abandoned and whenever i would leave the house and come back you could hear him crying from the car. I found a second cat for him to cuddle up with and play with and i haven't had problems since and he is now a very well adjusted, happy cat

[@abbers54]

I remember when I worked a 16-hour shift (3pm-7am) for the first time since adopting my Ares. He was so angry. He didn't let anyone at home aleep, so I ended up buying a Eufy pet camera. It allows me to talk to him and toss treats. After getting the camera, it made going out so much easier. I had to go on vacation last year, and my mom (who stayed with him) said he was less stressed, and would hang around the camera because he knew he could hear my voice from it. I would definitely recommend pet cameras. Being able to check on Ares during work or when I'm out not only makes me less stressed but also Ares. 🧡😸

[@karricompton]

Having a great cat sitter that comes 3x a day when we are gone is so important. My Manx is pretty easy going, so thankfully we haven’t had any issues in his 10 years. 😊

[@TwoBs]

Mine definitely does, and it’s because I am home with them for most of the time. So, when I leave to go somewhere, it’s like the world has come crashing down and they wait to hear the sound of my vehicle coming back into the driveway. They’ll hang out in the window that overlooks the driveway for this purpose. Once they see me get out, I can _hear_ them running towards the back door. As soon as I turn the knob and open the door, I’ll see my cats sitting up with those tails swishing side to side. When I take a step in, they each go for a leg to rub against … and they’ll both be in the most loving mood with such loud purring. One time, I put my Blink doorbell inside at the back door to catch how they responded when I would leave and how they’d be upon my return. As soon as I could hear my car door shut in the video and my engine start, they’d sit at the back door and meow. When you hear me backing up and leaving out the driveway … off to the window they go lol. I made the mistake of talking them once before when having the camera in because I think it stressed them out more since they couldn’t find me. Constant pacing, mrowing (not mEowing but mRowing … cat lovers know exactly what sound I mean lol), and an overall heightened sense with sounds. Every little thing they were running off to see if it was me somewhere, so I never wanted to talk through the speaker again due to how stressful it made them. ☹️ My dog doesn’t care, though lol, he’s more attached to my son and just hates it when he leaves to get on the bus for school. He’d run and get on it with him if I’d let him, but he sits near the front door often during the daytime until he comes back home. Then it’s off to his room with him when he returns lol.

[@jeantienhelder4534]

Even when I get out for doing groceries my boycat Ollie acts like I have been gone for years 😂

[@eileenbachemin1617]

In a way that is wonderful 💯😊

[@saradavies5809]

I tell my cats I'm going "hunting," and when I come in with groceries they know they're getting something to eat.

[@Spambucket239]

We have a year-old tabby cat that we rescued from outdoors and he has a lot of separation anxiety. He always seems to cry whenever he sees us getting ready to leave the house, whether it be to go to work for the day or just doing errands and going to the grocery store. Our solution is to make sure to pet and play with the cat just before leaving for work then pet him and make a fuss over him as soon as we get home. Once we hang up our coats and put groceries away, we make sure to play with the cat some more. Just five or so minutes of play before leaving and another five or ten when we get home. That's all he needs. He's been with us for a little more than six months and, now, he greets us at the door when we come home. Sometimes, he's even waiting for us at the door when we walk in. He's always ready for pets, fussing and playtime whenever we come home. The secret is to turn the sad, scary, "going away time" into fun, playtime so that, instead of being insecure while we are out of the house, he's anticipating the "fun time" when we come home. :)

[@janinein2yourself809]

When I leave the house, I allways say to my cats that I am back soon. Allways..!! And the first thing I do is say “ hello” and pet them when I enter the house. In my house they follow me wherever I am. And when I sit down they with me. And I think it is normal. I promise them unconditional love. And they get it as long they are in my life.

[@TheToastwithTheAbsoluteMost]

I just got a kitten who gets separation anxiety so thank you for the video! My 11 week old kitten will cry when he isn’t tucked up into my neck. Even if he is sitting on my lap, he looks at me and meows and cries and climbs me going into my neck, then stops meowing. Then he got better, now he can just sit on my lap and not cry. Now after introducing my other cat slowly and carefully, after a week he meows if he is away from my other cat.

[@tiffanymarie9750]

My girl definitely has separation anxiety, but it's why we work together. We both got wild anxiety that is very reduced together.

[@juliannachavez1163]

I've been trying to figure out why my cat has such bad separation anxiety and I couldn't imagine why because I've never let her go through any trauma. Then I realized she's been through 2 breakups :( thanks for the video, I've been scratching my head about this

[@maiadion557]

Routine is key 2:45 am kitty jumps at the doorknob to wake us 2:50 boyfriend alarm 3:00 kitty feeds raw food while bf making coffee 3:15 cat over bf cuddeling on the couch 3:45 bf getting ready to leave and tucked in the cat in sherpa flannel sheet 5:45 i wake up..checking for kitty..still tucked in on the couch😊

[@yarnmoods]

I’ve had several cats, including a nervous senior right now, that do better when I tell them when I’m leaving and if I plan to be later than normal. Not all of my cats care but some of them just need to know.

[@davinasquirrel7672]

Yes, I casually tell mine how long I will be, from a few minutes, to 'work'. She gets it more now.

[@Ezarhia]

As soon as they see my suitcase here we go with the kitty attitude. But im the one that misses them like crazy. I love my fur babies 😺😺 Im the one with separation anxiety 😥

[@mandypdx]

I got my cat in October 2020. The first time I left him alone for more than a couple hours, he was hiding under the bed. 2 weeks later, I got him a kitten. I have 6 cameras in my house and it makes me so happy that I usually see them on my bed together when I’m gone ❤

[@S1rcus_]

My cat would meowing so loud around the time she knew I'd be getting back that i could hear her into the stairwell. Got her a friend though and she doesn't yell anymore except coming to say hello to me once im indoors

[@Vamalways]

I got really sick recently and my cat was very concerned. He stayed by my side and kept an eye on me. He is so sweet!

[@MrAsBBB]

You are truly fantastic. Our last cat loved being upside down for five hours while my husband went out shopping. We often tease each other about how he loved just being left alone in his happy place. It so about encouraging rest and comfortable ness and simply love. God bless you Jackson… xxx

[@louisedahlgren5340]

I certainly understand cat separation anxiety. We adopted an older cat, possibly age 4, from a cat rescue shelter. She would lie in my bedroom sink while watching me. Long story short, we adopted her back in 2019. She hogs my side of the bed. She kneads me with slobber. I will move the blanket around. If I am sleeping, she will take her paw and gently tap me to be scratched. I love her! However, in January, I will have knee surgery. I don't know if I will be coming home the same day or not. I am so worried about leaving her. I never make a big deal leaving the house, too. Help!

[@k.l.8804]

I miss my baby soo much 😭 Ive been away from her nearly two months now 😢😭 She is in good care but a bit low I hear.. 😢 I’ll see her again in a week, never want to be away from her that long again! 🥺😭

[@KimsaLittleofAlot]

When i leave the house, i put on the news for them. They like to watch the news. I had bird tv on them one time, and yea, i no longer have that tv😂also ive learned not to have jurrasic park movies on when the kittys are in the room. Great tips. Have a great weekend.

[@kthearcher3357]

Oh that's funny, one ours will watch the Jurassic movies like she knows whats going on lol

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

Rather spend my time the the boys 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@sarah-michellemease5622]

My boy will sneak out of the apartment door when I get my bag, so I walk with him down the hall and back into the apartment. I also set up his forage box right before I go so he has two or three distracting snacks to look for while I'm gone. After that, the crows that fly by our apartment window keep him occupied.

[@julybliss4440]

9:23 is just one of many highlights, you are so level headed and experienced. I hope every cat parent takes as much of your advice as possible. Especially indoors cat parents. I have lost alot of jobs because of this issue. Can't do without his outdoor cage. Made it worse being carpenter and inconsistent drives and times from home. They loved when I get laid off or didn't have to work till later start times one day from the next. Be already heading down drive way and then decide to call off as he sits in window. Or even make it down road and just can't do it. Especially being worried about house disasters and emergency exits. Even my outside cats miss me and are impacted by my presence/ leaving and they express it.

[@julybliss4440]

Every chapter and minute of this video is spot on and better than great advice.

[@sherroncunningham7845]

I'm only away from my cat for maybe an hour or two to sometimes three because I'm at the doctor's office outside of that I'm with her 24/7

[@limabean5299]

My childhood cat developed some separation anxiety in old age. He used to live with just my parents until I moved in with them. Now he gets sad if I'm gone too often. I started working from home and he got so much happier it's concerning. When he felt alone he got more vocal, using a loud hoarse voice to communicate, and didnt take good care of himself. Since Ive been staying at home most of the time, his fur has been shinier because hes cleaning himself properly, he's less intense about mealtimes and meows gently, and he's been very affectionate. A lot of the solutions here wont help him because all he's interested in is sleeping in my bed. He doesn't have the energy to explore and play and rarely moves. He jumps in and out of my bed for food and water. I have perches by windows he never uses. He has never been playful, even as a kitten. I could get him interested in something for at most 20 seconds when he was young. He is very food motivated and I can get him to follow a treat but there's no way he'll play with puzzles. He's 18 years old. I worry about him whenever I have to disappear for multiple days

[@marianna3253]

I was thinking about putting up a couple of cameras to see what our kitty is up to when we're away. Then I saw a couple of videos with cats crying and carrying their toys around. It just broke my heart, and if I saw our kitty do that I would never leave the house again! I'm lucky to work from home so I'm home a lot but at the same time I feel like it's more difficult for her when we do leave somewhere for a longer period (obviously if we go away for like 24h we have someone check up on her and give her food and play with her)

[@katphish30]

Last night I went out to run errands, and my clingy two year old cat apparently lost his whole mind. My husband said he was pacing, crying, digging at the garage door, the whole works. My husband managed to calm him down, but from what I hear he was frantic. I don't know what he's going to do when I finally get a job.

[@infernothegreat1041]

One of the things i tried to do to avoid causing separation anxiety was just going outside for a walk for just like 5-10 min and not making a fuss when coming back in. If I do the same when I leave for a while, they don’t seem to be worried. It’s not too much of a prob for me though because I work from home

[@tntori5079]

My cat is a rescue and has separation anxiety. For years though I loved with ppl that were home so she could cuddle with them. But now that we moved (even a year later) she still struggles a lot. She meows a ton and is constantly needing attention. Luckily she doesn't destroy things and we try to give her lap time (which she loves) when we are home from work. It just seems like it's getting worse as she gets older.

[@garajplaz3513]

I’ve been having many obligations outside the house. My Bombay has a 12 hr circadian rhythm. But lately she has been empathetic, like my previous cat. Up 7x a day kneading my neck. And I’ve been going through some hard times. But when I’m away she flips all the bins. Also, when I put on my shoes, she runs to the door. We also go on regular walks before meals because she never leaves my side, but I try to look out for dogs and things that might hurt. But in winter the problem is seeing a jet black cat. A flashlight helps because I can see her eyes, and I know she sees me. Very social creatures are felines. But right video at the right time. Well it’s playtime and then a short walk followed by breakfast

[@user-jk8cj4de4n]

I have an orange tabby he was very close to his mama and when she got sick my tabby was looking for his mama. When my wife passed away my tabby was looking for her and I had to tell him she was not coming home no more. I had to stay with him for two months and he got used to me being around his anxiety went down. When he sees me going to church in the morning he knows that I will be home and he greets me at the door when I get home. He's a tabby that loves to have a lot of attention and I give it to him.

[@draisu]

I dropped from working full time to part time for my health. My cat has gotten so used to me being home that now when I *do* go out, her separation anxiety is back. I live with others-- and they hear her yowling and calling for me long after I leave. Then she waits around the door for me to come back. Even though she is not alone, and she is definitely not the only cat.

[@galaxyshifter5760]

My oldest cat, in her younger days use to get horrible separation anxiety when I'd leave the house. My ex partner, my dad, my sister have all told me how she'd just wander around the house meowing because she couldn't find me. She'd begrudgingly cozy up to someone else in my absence but as soon as I got home she was literally leaping back into my arms for cuddles.

[@patreed2445]

I had a cat who got angry when I left. She shredded paper in the middle of the living room. So when I was getting ready to leave in the morning I would hide treats under a book or small box, the windowsill, odd places where she had to solve a problem to get the treat. Soon she would start to get angry, but then realize that meant her treats were hidden. I'd also put sacrificial paper on my desk just in case.

[@trisnaekowiyatnikawaii3860]

My husband and I adopted our first cat when he was a kitten. At the age of 6 months, he showed us signs of separation anxiety towards my husband. It broke my heart to see that every time my husband went outside to take out the garbage, he would meow loudly. We then contacted his former foster family who told us that two weeks before we adopted him, he had been separated from his only surviving siblings who had been adopted by another couple, simply because his siblings have blue eyes like Siamese kittens. But not our cat, who looks more like a gray Abyssinian tiger, which I don't understand. If people like to have a certain cat look, why don't they turn to a special breed instead of going to the animal shelter. The separation anxiety became increasingly pronounced in him after he was neutered. And this turned into an aggressive attitude towards my husband. Until we contacted a cat behaviorist who suggested us to adopt the second cat. And then a miracle happened. Our first cat became calmer and loves to cuddle. He became the protector of our second cat, who had a history of abuse that made him fear human contact.

[@esteemedmortal5917]

The main thing I try, when I have to go on work trips, is have a pet sitter come twice a day. It’s not cheap, but my cats haven’t been clingy when I get back, just their normal, happy selves. Not sure it’s separation anxiety per se but if I go upstairs for a little while and my oldest, Brynn, didn’t see me go upstairs, she starts crying and carrying her favorite toy. She usually stops when I call to her and remind her where I am.

[@mayravixx25]

I used to have a dog that had separation anxiety, oddly enough. I think it mainly started because we basically had to move half-way across the country and couldn't bring him with us until we were able to find our own place to live. After about 2 weeks we were able to go back for him and bring him with us, and he had separation anxiety ever since then. Any time my mom would go to work, he would always hang out in the living room and wait there the entire night for her to get back. Sadly he's not with us anymore as he passed away earlier this year, but throughout the night, I would always get up to check on him, say hi to him, and let him know he wasn't alone in the house. I can't help but wonder if it actually helped him, but I want to believe it did

[@amightysailingman]

Best treatment for loneliness and separation anxiety is another cat. Two cats who get along can keep each other company and keep each other happy. Sure, it costs more, but it's worth it. Watching them play, sleep, cuddle and mutually groom is a wonderful feeling.

[@guys8162]

My cat and i were separated for 3 weeks when he had radioactive iodine treatment. He cried the whole 3 weeks and lost his voice. He annoyed them so much with his crying they let him leave quarantine a bit early.

[@MetalSqueak05]

We took in our girl Mochi about a year ago when she was just 4-5 weeks old. Friends found her alone in the wild, no mom or littermates around. Right away she bonded with me and my daughter. Only slept in bed with us, kneaded and suckled blankets that smelled like us, etc. A week later we got two more kittens about the same age for her to be with and she loves them, but will still start yowling in panic if she can't find on of us.

[@paulakochheiser1635]

I have a Savanah and a Bengal. They are really good when we leave in the morning. They have 3 cat trees and a screened in back porch that faces a back yard that is a woods. They love watching the birds, wild turkeys, squirrels and deer, but when we get home we make sure it is all about them.

[@castlelover26]

My one cat has separation anxiety! We were one another's world for the first few years together so he gets so sad when I leave. Thankfully he's just vocal and eventually gives up and goes to sleep once I leave. Thankfully I now work from home so he gets more time with me and the time I do spend away from the house, isn't as scary for him ❤️

[@xXBellababy08Xx]

My cat was trapped under his cat tree in my home for 6 days after a house fire and since then he of course cannot have doors closed most of the time, gets aggressive if we leave and forgot something like keys and come back, he would then start going for our ankles, etc. it’s rough and he’s used to people not being home- however I just recently started working from home. It hasn’t fixed it but at least I’m not away as much. However with a cat like him now- I would need a cat sitter if I were to go on vacation since he’s very vocal and social.

[@linzerj9904]

I'm lucky that my job still required me to go in to work every day during the pandemic (taking care of other animals at work lol), so my cat sometimes seems more confused when I stay home on the weekends or on a day off, lol.

[@Cypresssina]

We rushed one of our cats to urgent today (he was straining at the potty, not producing, we were very concerned). He's the clingy baby one. When we checked the cameras at home the other cat (loving but not clingy, acts like he tolerates his little "brother" - we know he actually loves him) had been waiting by the door. He waited by the door the entire time we were at the vet. They feel deeply.

[@jewelzlove27]

We love you cat daddy!!! ❤❤

[@TheEternalferret]

This was really helpful! For me, I've worked from home for most of my 3 YO cat's life. With being here most of the time, she gets anxious when I go out at all. I didn't realize it until I left for a while and my husband was still home and she walked around the apartment yelling for a while. Sometimes it even happens if I'm just in the bath. I think part of it is that we have a ritual where she'll yell from somewhere in the apartment to find out where we are. We meow back and she comes to find us. It's like Marco Polo. She gets worried when no one meows back. She definitely gets more anxious about my leaving. Probably because I'm here all the time. I'm going to remember some of those tricks, especially on the rare occasion when we're able to travel.

[@indesomniac]

I raised my cat from 5 weeks old and we've rarely been apart, but there was a time when we were apart for about six months -- since then, her separation anxiety has gotten a lot worse to the point she fell into a complete depression when my girlfriend and I were away for a week. She lost a bit of weight, over-groomed, and mutilated some of her toys. Both of our families live in other states, so thank you for making this video while we try to figure out how best to deal with her when we make visits!

[@d_vibe-swe]

We're participating in home exchange sometimes, which is that we borrow another family's house while they borrow ours. Often these are strangers to the cats, which often goes well. We had a cat though, Lakrits (R I P 💔) who was a bit more anxious. We were away for a week and when we came home and I was about to go to work on the Monday thereafter, she peed in my work bag. She thought I was going to leave again and perhaps some other strangers were about to come, either angry at me or were anxious. She had never peed outside the litter box before and never after that. Hurts my heart when thinking about it.

[@ReflectKindness]

I originally hadn’t planned on keeping my original cat Izzy, I was temporarily homing him so he wouldn’t get put down if he got brought back to the shelter AGAIN. He kinda imprinted so I couldn’t, that was 2017. He was VERY anxious if I left but in 2018 my roommate got her own cat Persephone (we call her Percy), and that kinda helped. Then in 2019 I accidentally got an 8 week old kitten; I really mean it was an accident because she would have died if I left her where I found her. They all kinda coexisted but none of them really got along no matter what, until. Last summer (2022) a like maybe 3 month old kitten waltzed into my friends apartment when I was there, she doesn’t own a kitten…. I TRIED to take her to a shelter, have someone else home her, nothing. So I ended up bringing her home TO FOSTER but shockingly, she has become the glue that makes the other three all get along! While Izzy still has a little bit of separation anxiety, mostly cause I have to kennel him in this very big nice cat enclosure when I’m not home so he doesn’t pee on everything, it’s gotten way better just by having 4 whole cats in my small apartment. I’m going to get a camera system soon mostly so I can talk to them when I’m at my new job that has 10 hour shifts. Any time I meet someone who’s like “I think I may get a cat” I always tell them “no, get two.” And then go on a long winded explanation on WHY. Spread the love and knowledge.

[@Trillyke]

I adopted my cat 7 months ago. I work from home, so she got used to me being at home a lot so her separation anxiety formed really quickly. There is no routine when I leave for longer periods (2-10 hours), I just do when I have to do grocery shopping, meet with friends etc. I check up on her on the camera, and when she realizes I am gone, she starts meowing extra loud (this type of vocalization can never be heard when I am around) goes from room to room looking for me, drags her toys to my bed. Sometimes she does this when I am literally just taking a shower which is like max 10 mins, she thinks I am gone, even tho I leave the bathroom door open for her. When I leave the house to go out do stuff this pacing, and loud meowing usually lasts for 30 min, max an hour before she decides it is time to stop and she luckily goes to sleep. Obviously she wakes up sometimes, and if I am still not back, she will do it a bit again, but eventually calms down. It breaks my heart seeing her looking for me with that loud cry. Talking to her through the camera didn't work. What seems to work a bit is catTV. When I leave for longer than 30 minutes I play bird videos on my ipad, luckily there are videos that are like 8 hours or so. I am not sure how else I could help her. Adopting a cat mate for her is not an option yet.