Separation Anxiety from my Cat

[zippedzipp]

I got a kitten in October last year. She's become my best friend and I love her dearly! I'm home a lot (I get social anxiety so I rarely leave the house) so I'm with her constantly and we enjoy each others company.

Next week however I'm going on a short holiday (4 days). It'll be the longest time I've left her (only time, actually). My brother is house sitting and will look after her, but I can't help but worry. I'm getting really scared that something is going to happen to her while I'm away and I feel like I'm going to miss her too much! I'm not sure if I'll even be able to relax and enjoy my holiday because I'll be worrying about her all the time.

I'm only 22 and I realise that there'll be many more times where I'll be travelling during my cats lifetime. I'm hoping it's just this hard now because it's the first time I'll be away from her. Hopefully I won't always be this way...

I want to be able to enjoy my life and have holidays and trust whoever will look after her, but I sort of feel like I can't.

How can I put my mind at ease? Has anyone else felt this way about leaving their pets for a holiday? And does it ever get easier?

[Guest_7403]

Try and remind yourself that cats aren't humans.

Theyre perception of people and time is very different to yours.

Cats are quite solitairy animals and a few days alone wouldn't bother them.

Nothing wrong with thinking about their welfare, but they will be fine and you'll see her when you get home.

Enjoy your holiday, take care.

[sbella02]

Hey Zippedzipp,

Thank you so much for your post, welcome back to our forums.

I understand your fears. I have two gorgeous cats, and I remember in the year that we first got them, we had a two week long holiday, where we’d asked my cousins to babysit them for us. I missed them so much during that time, and something that eased my mind was my aunt sending us video updates of her playing with the cats. If it would make you feel any better, you could ask your brother to send you regular updates or how she’s going.

If you feel comfortable, you could always schedule in a chat with a GP, counsellor, therapist or psychologist about how you feel, and they may be able to offer you some professional advice about how to ease your mind.

Please feel free to have more of a chat with us if you’d like. Is there anything in particular that you’re really excited to do on your holiday?

All the best, SB

[Sophia16]

Hi,

I can see that you are struggling with anxiety. I can feel what you are going through. I have a cat and every time I go on holiday I cry. It has gotten better over time but I still struggle and think about him constantly.

One thing that really helped me was a family member looking after my cat. They took photos of him every day and sent them. This really helped with the separation anxiety.

I know it is difficult but you will get through it. it is going to take time

Stay safe and I am always here to chat.

[zippedzipp]

Hey Sophia,

I did take your advice but unfortunately my brother just can't be trusted. I've never really trusted him but my mum said it would be fine because it's not hard minding her - all she needed was to be fed, given fresh water and have a clean litter.

I came home from my holiday this afternoon and there was cat food all over her feeding area with ants crawling all over the floor. Her water bowl was so overfilled there was water everywhere. The dish cloth hadn't been used and neither had the dishwasher meaning she never got a fresh bowl (I doubt she even had fresh food for every meal).

I broke down when I came home to see it this way. He lied to me saying everything was fine. I can never trust him again and now I never want to leave her alone again. My first time leaving her has been a dreadful experience, I wish it didn't turn out this way 😞