{"id":13247,"date":"2025-11-24T15:22:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/separation-anxiety-in-cats\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T15:22:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:22:22","slug":"separation-anxiety-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/separation-anxiety-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Separation Anxiety in Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Although many people think of cats as independent and aloof, those of us who live with them know that they also enjoy company. They like to be close to people with whom they feel safe, and when they spend too much time alone they can become stressed or sad. Some even develop what experts call <strong>separation anxiety<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve ever come home to find your cat fidgeting, messing things up or behaving unusually, he may have been going through such an episode. Understanding what causes it, how to recognize it and what you can do to help him is key to his well-being. It&#8217;s also worth exploring whether <a href=\"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/cbd-oil-pets\/cbd-oil-for-cats\/\"><strong>CBD for cats <\/strong><\/a>may have a role to play in this type of case.  <\/p>\n<h2>How to tell if a cat is experiencing separation anxiety<\/h2>\n<p>Every cat expresses stress differently, but there are some common signs that may indicate separation anxiety. Recognizing them early can help you take action before the problem worsens. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A<\/strong>cat&#8217;s appetite is usually constant. If he leaves his bowl full or shows little interest in food just when you are away, he may be showing anxiety. <\/li>\n<li>Some caregivers notice that their neighbors mention that the cat <strong>meows<\/strong>or cries while they are outside. It is a way of getting attention or expressing discomfort in the face of loneliness. <\/li>\n<li>If your cat starts to relieve himself outside the <strong>litter<\/strong>box, he is not doing it because of &#8220;bad behavior&#8221;. In many cases it is a form of communication. <\/li>\n<li>Constant grooming may seem normal<strong>,<\/strong>but if it becomes a repetitive behavior to the point of irritating the skin, it is usually related to anxiety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Destructive<\/strong>behaviors can be a way to release pent-up energy from stress or boredom.<\/li>\n<li>Some cats <strong>look<\/strong>for the exit or hide near doors. It is a search reflex: they want to find the person they feel safe with. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These behaviors do not always appear together, but if you notice several at once or frequently, it is a good idea to watch more closely what happens when you are absent.<\/p>\n<h2>Precautions when diagnosing separation anxiety in cats<\/h2>\n<p>While it may seem easy to assume that a cat is acting out of anxiety, be careful. Cats can&#8217;t tell us if something hurts, and many times behavioral changes are their way of communicating that something physical is bothering them. That&#8217;s why the first thing to do should always be to <strong>consult a veterinarian<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n<p>Some illnesses can cause symptoms that are mistaken for stress or anxiety, and sometimes any condition that creates discomfort will lead to cats suddenly changing their behavior. Your veterinarian will be able to rule out those causes and, if they confirm that your cat is healthy, they can focus on his emotional well-being. Paying attention to your cat&#8217;s signals is a way to show affection and respect.  <\/p>\n<h2>Ways to help a cat with separation anxiety<\/h2>\n<p>We always want our cats to be calm and happy, but in this case it may seem difficult because the problem of separation anxiety occurs just when we are not there. Still, there are several ways to support them, both when we are at home and when they have to be left alone. <\/p>\n<h3>How to help our cats while we are at home<\/h3>\n<p>While you are at home, take time to have multiple play and petting sessions with your cat. It&#8217;s not just about giving him affection, but allowing him to expend energy. Active games such as those using feathers, balls or ropes activate his instincts and help him relax afterwards.  <\/p>\n<p>You can also <strong>train short absences<\/strong>. Go out for a few minutes, then come back, and repeat gradually increasing the time. This teaches him that you go away, but you always come back.  <\/p>\n<p>Another idea is to <strong>arrange the environment<\/strong> so that he has stimulation while you are around. Place scratching posts, high platforms or areas where he can observe what&#8217;s going on outside. You can also create a safe place for them: cats enjoy having elevated and protected places, where he could be calmer even if you are not there.  <\/p>\n<h3>What to do when leaving to reduce anxiety in cats<\/h3>\n<p>Routines prior to your departure, such as picking up your keys or putting on your shoes, can become alarm signals for your cat. If every time you do that he becomes agitated, try <strong>changing the pattern<\/strong>: do those actions at times when you&#8217;re not leaving, so he doesn&#8217;t associate them with your absence. <\/p>\n<p>When you actually go out, <strong>avoid very effusive or loud goodbyes<\/strong>. Leave in a calm manner and without attracting their attention. It also helps to <strong>keep familiar sounds<\/strong> in the house, such as the radio or television on the channel you usually listen to. This creates a sense of continuity and prevents her from perceiving the environment as completely empty.   <\/p>\n<p>The less you change the environment with your departure, the easier it will be for him to remain calm.<\/p>\n<h3>How to help your cat calm down while you&#8217;re away<\/h3>\n<p>In addition to providing a comfortable and familiar environment, you can incorporate <strong>interactive toys or food dispensers<\/strong> that stimulate his mind. For example, cat puzzles or toys that release small portions of food keep him busy and satisfied. <\/p>\n<p>If your absences are long or your cat is especially sensitive, consider asking for help. Some people hire cat sitters who spend time with the cat, play with it and accompany it at home. This is not uncommon: just as dogs have walkers, some cats benefit from a similar routine, adapted to their own space.  <\/p>\n<h2>Can CBD help separation anxiety in cats?<\/h2>\n<p>All mammals, including cats, have a system called the <strong>endocannabinoid<\/strong> system, which is involved in regulating multiple processes in the body linked to well-being. <strong>CBD<\/strong>, a natural compound derived from hemp, works by interacting with that system, which is why it has caught the attention of scientists and veterinarians for its potential in cases such as these. <\/p>\n<p>A recent study by <strong>Nobuo Masataka (2024)<\/strong> explored the possible effect of CBD on cats with separation anxiety. In his research, a group of cats were observed during periods when they were left alone and then reunited with their caregivers. The cats that had received CBD showed <strong>fewer signs of distress and calmer behavior upon seeing their owners again<\/strong>, compared to those that received a placebo. These observations led the researcher to point out that CBD may help cats <strong>feel more secure and stable<\/strong> during separations, possibly through its influence on receptors that regulate serotonin, a substance related to calmness and well-being. These results are promising and suggest that CBD could be a useful tool to support cats with anxiety, but it is always critical that any decision is made with the support of your veterinarian.    <\/p>\n<h3>Which CBD to give to a cat with separation anxiety<\/h3>\n<p>If your veterinarian confirms that CBD may be a good option for your cat, the next step is to choose a suitable product. Cats have a different metabolism than humans, and some common ingredients in human products can be toxic to them. <\/p>\n<p>That is why it is important to opt for <strong>products formulated specifically for cats<\/strong>, such as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/cbd-oil-pets\/\">CBD oils for pets<\/a>, <\/strong>which are made in <strong>broad spectrum<\/strong>, which eliminates any trace of THC, and avoid additives that may cause them discomfort. These types of products are designed to be safe and easy to use on animals, in addition to having certifications and laboratory analysis that guarantee their composition. Remember that it is important to have veterinary check-ups to verify that the products you give your cat are helping him and not causing any problems in his organism.  <\/p>\n<h2>Caring for, understanding and accompanying your cat&#8217;s anxiety<\/h2>\n<p>The best way for us to give affection to our cats is to observe them and learn their language. Sometimes, behind an unexpected behavior there is a message: he may be saying that he misses us, feels discomfort or simply needs more play and movement. Being attentive to these signals is the best sign of love and care. If we can understand what he needs, we can help him feel better, even when we are not around.   <\/p>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<p>Masataka N. (2024). Is cannabidiol (CBD) effective to ease separation anxiety?. <em>Heliyon<\/em>, <em>10<\/em>(3), e25851.  https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.heliyon.2024.e25851<\/p>\n<p><!-- notionvc: c32a2552-4d98-42b2-8a77-57c465c9af04 --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although many people think of cats as independent and aloof, those of us who live with them know that they also enjoy company. They like to be close to people with whom they feel safe, and when they spend too much time alone they can become stressed or sad. Some even develop what experts call [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1444],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cbd-in-pets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13247"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13247\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndev.gorillagrillz.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}