Do cats miss their owners - the results of scientific research

Unfortunately, not every owner can spend as much time with their furry pet as they would like. Therefore, situations often arise when the cat is left at home alone and is left to its own devices for all eight (or even more!) hours.

Contrary to the belief that domestic predators are by nature individualists and loners, more and more foreign veterinarians argue that pets, on the contrary, need company! Studies have shown that cats, just like people who are socially isolated for a long time, can experience fear, anxiety, and depression. Manifestations of these conditions include the following deviations from behavioral norms:

• Excessive love of licking. The cat can continuously clean itself, chew fur, and itch. This behavior indicates a lack of attention, nervousness, and psychological discomfort. Experts draw an analogy here with obsessive-compulsive disorders in people, characterized by obsessive actions and thoughts.
• Uncleanliness. The pet can mark its territory with feces and urine. However, he will not respond to criticism. Changing the filler and installing a new tray will also not help.
• Loud meow. When the owner appears, the cat, experiencing a constant fear of loneliness, begins to constantly and persistently demand attention. In addition to meowing, he will literally not give way - rub against your legs, jump on your lap, accompany you anywhere and everywhere.
• Destructive behavior. Some cats begin to tear up furniture and damage other items in the house, ignoring the scratching post. In this way, the pet tries to cope with anxiety and fear.
• Aggression. An animal may attack family members for no reason when they are at home. Some pets show resentment from loneliness by categorically refusing to allow themselves to be petted or picked up. Outbursts of aggression most often occur when owners leave for work and return home.

The presence of at least one of the above signs indicates serious psychological problems in the pet. The owner should definitely take them into account. Moreover, today there are many ways to entertain your pet when he is left alone at home.

Quarantine and cats

During the lockdown period, there were a lot of cute cat memes going around the internet. They say that furry pets are so accustomed to their owners being constantly away from home that they were extremely surprised when they stopped going to work and spent all their time with them.

When the quarantine ended and everything returned to normal, many cat owners noticed how the behavior of their cats had changed. Returning home from work, they saw how the cats did not leave them a single step, constantly trying to tell about something, rubbing against their legs, looking devotedly into their eyes, in a word, in every possible way demonstrating their joy at the person’s return home. They, who quickly got used to the constant presence of people nearby during self-isolation, again found it difficult to get used to forced loneliness.

Manifestations of cat love

Contrary to the popular belief that cats are attached exclusively to the house and live with people for their own benefit, these animals, despite their independent nature, feel the need for love, attention and affection. Cats are smart, noble creatures, and if you treat them properly, create the most comfortable conditions, surround them with affection and warmth, they will definitely reciprocate. The affectionate cat's soul is capable of strong friendship with the owner and members of his family. But how can you tell that a cat loves its owner?

We suggest you read: Why does a cat sneeze often, what to do and how to treat it

You can determine a cat's love and sympathy by the behavior and habits of your pet. From the first days of a kitten’s appearance in the house, it is very important to establish contact with the animal and create the most favorable, comfortable environment. Finding itself in an unusual, unfamiliar place, a kitten or an adult animal will be disoriented and will try to adapt to new conditions through hearing and smell.

During the adaptation period, an animal can be tamed only with a friendly attitude and care. The cat should feel completely safe. Representatives of the cat family are straightforward and frank, and cannot tolerate disrespectful or rude treatment. To win their sympathy, you need to earn the cat's trust.

Undoubtedly, hiccup cats are capable of loving their owner, but they show their feelings in their own way. There are several signs by which you can determine a cat's friendship and favor. Some manifestations of cat love are obvious, while other signs of sympathy, on the contrary, may be implicit.

To find out whether cats love their owner, you need to carefully monitor your pet and study the animal’s body language. It serves to express a whole range of feline emotions. Pay attention to what sounds the cat makes and how it behaves in a given situation. By meowing, she can attract attention, demonstrate anxiety, and the need for affection.

Signs that help you understand whether cats love their owners include:

• purring, loud purring;
• gentle biting, head butting;
• tail twitching;
• attempts to bring their “prey”, toys;
• “stomping” during rumbling;
• cat kisses, licking hands, faces;
• blinking, long, peaceful look;
• permission to rub the tummy;
• sleep next to the owner.

Signs that a cat misses its owner

Scientists have found that cats, like people, are very different in character.

Each pet is an individual with a capital “P”. Among cats, of course, there are touchy-feely cats that do not need constant human attention and affection. They calmly tolerate separation and do not worry about the absence of their owners. But most purrs still become very attached to people and become sad if they have to sit alone for a long time.

A cat misses its owner if he:

• Meows a lot. A long, plaintive meow for no apparent reason may indicate that the cat lacks affection and care. Try to give your pet time, show attention - and he will repay you with love and a satisfied purr.
• Chases the owner throughout the house. A cat that doesn’t give you access hints with all its appearance: notice me, stroke me, play with me.
• He often licks himself. When a cat constantly licks its fur, this may indicate nervous tension.

There was a case when a cat was so worried about being separated from its owner that it bit off the fur until bald spots formed on its sides. The alarmed owner took the pet to the veterinarian, where it turned out that the cat’s behavior indicated his worries due to the owner’s long absence. She began taking the cat with her to work, and the pet calmed down.

• Excessively active. If you come home from work and your cat is running around the house like crazy, destroying everything in its path, this is probably how it attracts your attention. Don't scold, try to switch his attention to something else. However, the joy of meeting you can also be expressed in this way.
• Loses appetite. When you are at home, the cat eats with appetite, but when you are not there, he does not touch the bowl? Everything is obvious: he really misses you. Try not to stay for long, spend more time with the cat, gradually he will get used to his owner’s absences, and his appetite will be restored.

The cat is bored: tips on what to do

If your cat is bored, the following tips will tell you what to do.

Games

You can fill the time with automated and interactive toys, with which the animal will not be bored. You can get by with regular balls, mice, labyrinths and other more accessible things. The main thing is that they are durable, safe and intended for independent play.

After purchase, the domestic predator is allowed to play with a new toy for a short time, and then hidden. In the future, it is given only while the owner is leaving. It’s great if your pet is the owner of a cat house where you can play and relax comfortably. A very interesting activity is to look out the window. It is necessary to provide your little friend with access to the windowsill so that he can watch what is happening on the street.

Hygiene and feed

If the owner is away for a long time, he will probably see a crowded, dirty tray when he comes home, where not all animals can go. They tolerate or defecate in places not intended for this. In such cases, it is important to purchase an additional tray. The presence of special interactive scratchers is welcome. Their massage attachments have a calming and relaxing effect that any cat will love. The animal's diet should consist of dry food. Canned food and natural products quickly deteriorate, which can lead to poisoning.

Don't let your cat feel that he is lonely. Give your pet free time, play or pet him. Behind the apparent independence lies sociability and love. If a cat often misses its owners, there is one last piece of advice on what to do in such a situation: having a second pet will be more fun not only for the furry creature, but also for you.

Research by American scientists

Scientists from Oregon were able to prove that cats become no less attached to their owners than dogs. About 80 kittens and their owners took part in the experiment.

Small pets were separated from their owners for a short period of time and placed in an unfamiliar place. When the owner returned, the animals' reactions were checked using special instruments.

It turned out that the babies experienced severe stress when they were separated from their owners, but after being reunited with them, they rejoiced and expressed strong positive emotions.

A DRASTIC SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF LONELINESS

In cases where all of the above methods did not help and the cat is still experiencing stress from separation from its owners, you should think about adding to the family. By taking another furry predator into your home, you can give both pets a happy and healthy life. By the way, in Switzerland not long ago a law was passed requiring the adoption of at least two cats, since this animal, by its nature, needs a friend and companion of its own species. A similar public initiative exists in the USA.

Many owners of two or more cats note that keeping them is no more difficult than maintaining one pet. This applies to both emotional stress and financial security.

However, owners should keep in mind that at first the old-timer may be jealous of the newcomer. To minimize conflicts and ensure a comfortable environment for both pets, you should consult a veterinarian.

How to help your cat cope with stress

Do you have to spend a lot of time outside the house, and your cat is forced to hang around four walls in splendid isolation for days? Here are some tips to help her cope with stress:

1. When you come home, be sure to pay attention to your cat. When she runs up to greet you, crouch down to her level, pet her, and talk to her in a calm, friendly tone.
2. Play with your cat, come up with joint activities. Physical activity is a great way to cope with stress, the cat will switch gears and the sadness will go away.
3. Pamper your pet with gifts from time to time. A house with manholes, a cat teaser from a pet store or another interesting little thing will delight the cat and improve its mood.

What to do if kittens miss their mother

By taking the kitten into the family, make it easier for him to get used to his new home. Take from the previous owners a piece of fabric or an object that smells like their home, mother cat and other kittens. Feeling this smell to a kitten, it will be calmer to be alone in a strange world.

A calm animal sleeps soundly, curled up in a ball, feeling safe. Kittens miss their mother immediately after waking up. A loud and demanding squeak means that he wants to eat and is looking for his mother. Calm him down by patting his back or tummy, feed him suitable food and play with him.

Spending a lot of time with the kitten in the first days can reduce the number of unexpected troubles. By limiting the kitten's space, he will be able to learn where his toilet, food and place to sleep are. Gradually adapting to the entire apartment or house.

Oh, those eyes that greet you at the threshold. Can cats get bored?

Do cats miss their owners the way dogs do? After all, they are such independent natures! Scientists say that cats are prone to loneliness. But a cat does not associate its owner with his protection, like a dog. Cats are not able to develop attachment due to security. The cat does not believe that the owner is able to protect him from environmental hazards. But for dogs, it is the owners who personify safety!

Of course, cats establish close emotional connections with their owners, but in an unfamiliar environment the cat will still rely only on itself. This behavior is typical of the entire cat family. However, the cat will always be glad to see the owner at the doorstep upon his return, especially if the cat is hungry. Have you noticed this affection and devotion when the bowl is empty, right?

Of course, like dogs, cats experience some fear when left without an owner. But it looks more like frustration. This can be explained by the cat’s inability to open a can of food for himself, the inability to open the door to the room where the tray is located, which is very depressing for some clean people. There are many examples. Cats are attached to their owners, but they express this differently than dogs. One thing is for sure, they alone are not bored, but will find something to occupy themselves with.

Cats sleep most of the day. This is their physiological feature. As a rule, the cat is awake mainly in the presence of the owner. He communicates, meows, plays and just loves to sit next to each other on a chair. But cats can be very emotional! Emotions lead to the release of endorphins or happy hormones. When the owner is gone, withdrawal occurs, causing a wide variety of troubles. The cat can walk and yell, shit everywhere, tear up furniture, throw things around, in general, behaves like a real bandit. This behavior is called loneliness neurosis. This actually happens more often in dogs. The cats are strong until the last moment.

What do cats usually do when they are left alone at home while their owners spend the day at work? Curious scientists even conducted experiments on this issue and divided the mustachioed striped animals into several groups:

1. Observer cats. They usually sit in front of the window all day long, watching life on the street. Especially for the birds.
2. Gamers. They frolic around the house with its other inhabitants, except humans: dogs, hamsters, birds, fish, etc. In another case, they play with cat toys or anything that comes under their paw.
3. Food lovers. They eat or carefully examine their food bowl.
4. Geniuses. They look at a computer, a switched-off TV, a shelf with DVDs—any information media.
5. Patient. They just hide under a table, chair, sofa.
6. Bath lovers. Relax in the sink or bathtub.
7. Researchers. They jump, climb, constantly get into something and look for something there.

As you can see, a good half of the tailed animals are not at all bored in the absence of their owners, but are having fun as best they can. And if they can’t, then they just sit and get bored, not knowing what to do with themselves. Scientists associate the self-sufficiency of cats with the process of their domestication. Unlike dogs, they were domesticated recently. They did not develop such close connections as humans and dogs. However, cats were bred more as rodent catchers, and not as companions with whom you could go hunting in the forest or play Frisbee.

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Games with box

When thinking about how to entertain a cat, remember that these animals are very curious. They like to explore new things and look for prey. Many owners have noticed that their pets are partial to cardboard boxes, of all sizes. For example, you just need to put a box on the floor and the cat will immediately settle into it. There she will play, chew the edges. Why is this happening? No one knows the answer to this question, except the cat herself, who won’t tell. If you are thinking about how to entertain your cat, then place boxes around the house. This way you will keep your pet occupied for a long time. To diversify your animal's leisure time, you can take several large boxes in which the pet fits freely, fasten them together, then make holes in the places where they are connected. The result is a real labyrinth that your pet will definitely appreciate. If you throw a tennis ball into this maze, the cat will actively start looking for it.

Games with packages

Not only boxes, but also bags are very attractive to cats. Moreover, it doesn’t matter to the pet whether it is made of plastic or paper. To start the game, place the bag on the floor and then attract the cat's attention. Although, most likely, she herself will notice an interesting object. The cat will definitely get into the bag. During the game, keep her interested by rustling. You can put a tennis ball inside. When the pet takes it out, the bag, of course, will rustle. The cat will simply be delighted with such fun.

Games for the home hunter

How to entertain a cat who loves to hunt? Now let's look at this issue. As you know, cats are carnivores. Even if your pet doesn't go outside, give her toys that will help her use her natural hunting skills. Purchased products are suitable for such games. For example, it could be a small squeaking squirrel, animals filled with catnip, or a plastic ball with a bell. If it is not possible to purchase such things now, then you can use the items that are on hand. For example, these could be bottle caps (plastic or wooden), paper balls, etc. These items can be great toys for your pet.