Separation anxiety in cats

For particularly anxious cats, being separated from their owners can cause them a great deal of stress and as a result, they might start peeing around the house.

If they are feeling unsettled and want to feel closer to the owner and strengthen their bond, they may start to wee on items that smell strongly of their owner. This includes beds, sofas and worn clothing.

How to ease your cat’s anxiety

• Clean the area they’re peeing on with a biological washing powder and water mix or a specific pet cleaning product. Avoid using any normal household detergents. These can have a strong smell and your cat may urinate over them to mask the odour.
• Place something that has the cat’s scent on over the area or item that they’re urinating on. This could be a blanket or a bed that will help them feel their scent is already there.
• Place a waterproof cover over the area or item and provide other places for the cat to leave their scent mark around the area. Including scratching posts, blankets, beds and litter trays. Cats are unlikely to pee on surfaces where the urine is likely to touch their paws.
• Use plug ins such as Feliway and Pet Remedy to help relieve anxiety and promote a familiar environment. Please note, it’s not advised to use pet remedy for pregnant cats or young kittens.

What should you do if you’re going away?

If you’re worried about leaving your anxious cat to go on holiday, the best thing to is to leave items that smell strongly of you. If they’re staying at home, your scent will already be around the house, but leaving a worn item of clothing may help them to feel more settled. This can also be given to the cattery if you’ve booked them in for a stay.

Reducing anxiety in cats when you’re at home

More people are now working from home and while this is great for some pets, others may find they’re having no time to relax and have a quiet snooze.

Make sure your cat always has access to a quiet space where they can escape from people working or children playing. This will help them feel more settled in the home. It’s also a good idea to provide an easy route so your cat can go outside and access their food and litter trays. This will help to reduce any anxiety and stress.

Always keep an eye on your cat’s toilet habits and behaviour. If you notice any changes, contact your vet and seek their advice as soon as you can. In the meantime, if you have any more questions, or you still need advice about your cat, please don’t hesitate to contact us.