How to Overcome Your Cat’s Separation Anxiety
From the desk of the STRAYZ newsroom: Callie, Seymour, Mama & Yebba & our 2 hoomans Ashley & Alex reporting live!
Published On: 7/25/2025
Last Updated On: 7/25/2025
Separation Anxiety: Why It’s Real, Why It Matters, and Why Cats Are Dramatic About It
Callie - cat lying on her dad Alex from STRAYZ cat collective
Let’s not sugarcoat it: separation anxiety is VERY real for cats.
Especially for us former street dwellers, shelter survivors, and dramatic indoor loafers with abandonment trauma (hi, it’s us).
If your cat spirals every time you grab your keys, paces when you close the door, or leaves you passive-aggressive hairballs as revenge for “going to work” — congratulations, you have a perfectly normal, deeply sensitive cat.
But the good news? It doesn’t have to stay this way.
First… How Can You Tell If It’s Separation Anxiety?
Here’s what we (and our fellow anxious cats) tend to do when we’re struggling:
🚩 Classic Signs of Cat Separation Anxiety:
Loud meowing or crying when you leave (dramatic Oscar-worthy performances)
Following you from room to room like a tiny, furry shadow
Hiding, pacing, or seeming restless when alone
Overgrooming or even fur pulling (stress management, but make it chaotic)
Not eating when you’re gone
Knocking things off counters (on purpose, yes)
If this sounds familiar? Keep reading.
How Did I Overcome Our Anxiety?
We didn’t just magically get better. Our hoomans helped us through simple, loving, repeatable steps—the same ones we’re sharing with you now.
1️⃣ Establish Predictable Routines (Yes, Cats Need Structure)
Cats thrive on consistency. Predictability = safety. When our environment feels secure, so do we.
What helped us:
Meal times at the same hour every day
Regular play sessions (even if it’s just 10 minutes of chasing a string like weirdos)
Predictable bedtime and wake-up cues
Consistent goodbyes and hellos
2️⃣ Create Comfort Zones for When You’re Away
When our hoomans leave, they make sure our space is comforting, not boring.
Comfort items = emotional security blankets for cats.
Ideas that worked for us:
A cozy blanket or bed that smells like YOU
Calming pheromone diffusers (we stan Feliway)
A sunny window perch for birdwatching therapy sessions
A worn t-shirt casually “forgotten” for us to loaf on
3️⃣ Enrich Our Environment (Because Bored Cats Panic Faster)
Enrichment kills boredom, and boredom fuels anxiety. When you’re gone, we need stuff to do besides spiral emotionally.
Here’s what keeps us busy:
Puzzle feeders for snack challenges
Window seats for neighborhood watch duties
Cat TV (YouTube bird videos count)
Interactive toys (the kind we can play with solo)
Rotating new toys to keep things fresh
👉 Find more enrichment hacks on The Cat’s Meow blog.
4️⃣ Short Goodbyes, Big Hellos
When you leave:
Don’t make it a dramatic scene. Calm, casual exits tell us “this is normal.”
When you return:
Make us feel like the royalty we are. Pets, treats, playtime — we missed you (and we want you to know it).
Pro Tip from Rescue Cats: Start Small, Build Trust
If your cat’s anxiety is severe, try leaving for short periods and building up gradually.
Example:
Start with a 5-minute walk outside.
Increase to 15 minutes.
Work your way up to full afternoons, then days.
Consistency builds confidence. Confidence reduces anxiety.
Callie with her new best friend mama
Why This Matters (For You AND Your Cat)
Helping your cat overcome anxiety isn’t just good for them—it’s good for YOU.
Less stress. Fewer “accidents.” Happier reunions. A calmer, more confident home.
And the truth is… we’re not just pets. We’re family.
We want to feel safe. Loved. Secure. Even when you’re not home.
Want More Tips to Keep Your Cat Happy (And Chill)?
🎁 Download Our FREE Cat Parent Enrichment Guide!
Inside, you’ll find:
Room-by-room enrichment ideas
Tips for building confidence in anxious cats
Product recommendations from four highly opinionated rescue cats
✨ Check out more helpful cat parenting posts on The Cat’s Meow Blog.
Final Purrs from The STRAYZ Crew:
Helping anxious cats thrive takes patience, love, and a few clever tricks.
But trust us — it’s worth it.
Because when a cat feels safe?
They love harder. Nap longer. Live happier.
And isn’t that what we all want?
Stay calm. Stay kind. Stay predictable.
Purrs,
Callie, Seymour, Yebba & Mama
#CatAnxietyHelp | #StrayCatNews | #RescueCatLife | #HappyCatsHappyHomes | #CatParentTips | #EnrichYourCatsLife | #CatsOfBerksCounty
