Does your cat suffer from loneliness?

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On the one hand, cats are self-sufficient animals. They know what to do with themselves, how to entertain themselves, even at home. Moreover, cats don’t really like to share their territory, or their owners, with someone else. Cat wars are quite real, they are by no means the invention of home-grown "experts."

On the other hand, it’s really difficult for a pet, who is forced to spend long hours at home alone. There is silence all around, and there is no one to talk to, well, purr to. 

Let's try to answer the important question: how acute is the problem of loneliness in cats. Is it really a problem? Should I choose a company for my mustachioed friend?

Do cats feel lonely?

The short answer is yes, they feel loneliness. But not as sharp as we imagine. 

Loneliness in cats is situational, it depends on a specific situation or mood. It happens when the experience boredom,  an inexplicable longing, and a "I do not want to do anything" attitude. A condition familiar to both humans and cats. By their nature, cats are loners, they are not pack animals, like dogs. But both of them need social interaction, communication, physical and emotional stimulation.  But each in its own way.

How do I determine if my pet is suffering from loneliness?

 When talking about separation syndrome, they usually mean dogs but surprisingly, cats also suffer from separation from their beloved owners. 

Pay attention to the following signs: if the cat when left alone, refuses to use the litter box, continuous and unusual vocalization is heard, vomiting, or you notice obsessive grooming. 

When the owners return, the pets follow them closely, they are afraid to let go even for a minute, constantly talking to their owner. It happens that cats, when they are lonely, refuse food. But then a wolfish appetite wakes up in them and they swallow their food in huge pieces. Other characteristic patterns of behavior are possible: for example, “farewell scenes” at the front door or equally stormy greeting scenes.

If you notice something like this in your pet, do not rush to make the diagnosis of "separation syndrome" yourself. The above symptoms and signs may accompany other behavioral problems. It is possible that the animal needs veterinary care and is trying to "reach out" to the owner to attract attention.

Does my pet need a friend? 

The question is ambiguous, and it is categorically impossible to answer. 

It all depends on the pet itself, his personality and temperament, and urgent needs. As noted above, there are many cats in the world who feel perfectly fine alone with themselves, and the arrival of a “friend” would destroy their inner harmony. Your pet confidently “rules the house”, circumventing his possessions in a businesslike way. You need to think twice before bringing him a “companion”. But in some cases, introducing a second pet would help defuse the situation. This is especially true for animals experiencing an acute desire for communication.

How to support a “lonely” pet? 

We make a confident conclusion: it is not at all necessary that your only tailed friend is unhappy. And you can always support him. 

Cats are good because they do not take much time from their owners. Two play sessions of ten to fifteen minutes each, will be quite enough for the "average" pet. 

In short, play with your furry friend as often as possible. For example, in the morning and in the evening. And the problem of loneliness will be solved.

Can I get two kittens from the same litter? 

Yes you can. Perhaps this is the most optimal way out if you think you want more than one cat. 

In this case, the likelihood of “wars” is reduced to a minimum. But that does not mean that “non-relatives” will necessarily have conflict. 

Cats actually know how to be good and strong friends. It is not rare that elderly cats take kittens under their “care”.

So in Conclusion... 

Yes, your cat may feel lonely. 

We hope that our article will allow you to understand a little more about your pet. 

Make a decision about introducing another cat into the house, based only on the characteristics and the temperament of your mustachioed friend. 

And remember, not all “lonely” cats are unhappy.