Felines certainly enjoy their own company, thinking time alone a purrecious thing, but do cats get lonely and want to hang out with their humans or wish they had a best furriend?
And, if cats do pine for companionship, how can you tell if your cat is lonely? Here are some signs.
Increased Sleep
Cats are known for their ability to sleep, but when a cat is sleeping more than the average 12 – 16 hours a day, and closer to 20 for senior cats, this constant snoozing can signal loneliness. Excessive sleeping can be a symptom of depression, which certainly occurs when a cat is lonely.
Litter Box Problems
Before you decide your cat is lonely based on litter box issues, hang on second. Peeing outside the litter box is a signal for so many different things in the feline world, ranging from health issues to behavioral problems or even both at the same time. If you’ve ruled out a medical issue, like kidney stones or a urinary tract infection, you can bet that the problem is most likely rooted in stress. Cats can become stressed out for all kinds of reasons, including loneliness and boredom.
Destructive Behavior
Loneliness can lead to boredom and bored cats who don’t have a friend to play with may resort to destructive behaviors as a way to work out some pent-up energy. This commonly results in shredded furniture and frustrated cat parents! If your precious kitty is demonstrating destructive behavior from loneliness when you’re nearby, you can bet she’s flexing his claws when you aren’t home.
Aggression
Cats who are lonely can act out in aggressive and potentially dangerous ways. With cat-to-human aggression, the roots almost always lie with the person. If your cat has suddenly taking to swatting or biting as you prepare to leave the house, your lonely cat might be putting the blame on you, leaving you open to teeth and claws as kitty expresses their unhappiness in a dangerous way.
Increased Vocalization
Is your cat suddenly chattier that usual? Among other things, excessive vocalization can be a sign of loneliness. in the opinion of a feline, the best way to get a human’s attention is with lots of meows and even the occasional wail that sends a cat parent scurrying to find their kitty. Once a feline learns we come running at their repeated meowing, cats then basically condition us to respond by holding sing-alongs at inconvenient moments, like virtual meetings, when you come home from work, and at night when you’re trying to sleep.
