Does the cat have speration anixety?

[pinkneon]

I had to go out today, and the cat followed me half way up the street. When I got back he was sitting outside the house meowing loudly! Since then he hasn't left me alone and keeps meowing if I leave the room, even for a minute. This has been going on the past week or two. As far as I know he has never done this before. His actual owner is often out, so I thought the cat was ok. Before I came to stay here the cat hadn't seen me in over 10 years yet has hardly left me alone! I don't know whether it is because I am usually the one who feeds him etc, but am worried he is lonely if I have to go out. He even followed me into the bathroom earlier and refused to leave me alone! He is sleeping now so have popped into my room for a bit, but am worried about him! If he does have separation anxiety, how can we help him?

[freyashamsters]

There do seem to be some signs of it, yes but these aren't always definite. Here is a great article on it:

Access Denied

[Pebbles82]

My neighbour's cat sat and howled outside my bedroom window when she went away and didn't stop till I let her in. It was like, ok my owner is gone so that woman next door will have to do lol! When I did let her in she kept me awake all night by crashing around in my wardrobe! Turns out she was trying to catch mice I didn't know I had.

So anyway - it could be separation anxiety that the owner is out a lot and she has bonded with you (I think you took her to the vet didn't you?). Or she could be trying to tell you something? Is her cat flap working?

[pinkneon]

Yeah cat flap is working, though he doesn't go out much. He tends to go out if you let him out the front door. He used to go straight back inside through the cat flap lol but now just sits and waits outside. A neighbor complained because he was "making too much noise" so now I am too scared to leave him alone! He is currently asleep on my feet so I am in the dining room as he is not allowed in bedrooms. He is put out at night - well, in the room with the washing machine in (utility room?) and the door to that is shut, but the other door to it has his cat flap which leads to the garden. However the past few nights he hasn't gone out at all and sits in the room meowing loudly all night until he is let back inside in the morning! It's odd though as hes never been like this before. I'd have thought if it WAS seperation anxiety that he would have been like this when he was younger? We got him from a rescue place when he was 1, and I have no idea of his background before then but would have thought if it was an anxiety issue he would of had it all the time? He is quite old now - like around 12/13!

[Piebald]

Some change in his world may have occurred you are unaware of and he is expressing his distress. Poor fella sounds needy

[pinkneon]

I think I might take him back to the vet ...

[Piebald]

No harm in making sure there isn't a physical issue. Ask the vet for some of the calming pheromones for cats. You can get a spray or diffuser. They are good in my experience.

[CMB]

He may like having you around especially if you feed, play with him and give him attention.
Others may not give him enough attention now he is older.