Unlike dogs, cats often carry a reputation of being aloof, and sometimes even fiercely independent. But when it comes to my cat Gertie and others like her, nothing could be further from the truth.
When I first adopted Gertie in 2019 from the Washington County Humane Society, she was very timid about her new surroundings and seemed very cautious about getting close with everyone I was living with at the time. For several weeks, she would try hiding under just about anything in the apartment before eventually warming up to her new owner and surroundings.
Years later at nearly 10 years old, she now knows she is here to stay with me and has since become quite the social butterfly. She’s also by far the most affectionate cat I’ve had when it comes to people, and known by many to be a (pleasant) Chatty Cathy.
However, Gertie – whose name is short for Gertrude after the Patron Saint of Cats – simply does not like other animals. Despite her namesake, she absolutely despises other cats in particular – a personality quirk that allowed me to adopt her at a discounted fee. And while I was happy to pay just $30 for such a gorgeous and sweet cat, I was disappointed to find out that I wouldn’t be able to eventually adopt another friend for her when I’m away from home.
Luckily at the time, I had roommates who helped keep Gertie company. She started warming up to them as the months went by, which helped deal with her separation anxiety. There was always someone to keep her company, and she got used to this for quite some time.
She continued being used to having at least one person around at most times after I left that apartment and began working remotely for another publication in 2021. After nearly four years of remote work, I returned to work at the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Press in April. Though I’m very happy to “get back out there†again, Gertie has not been happy about it at all.
According to researchers from Oregon State University, cats tend to view their owners as parents and caregivers similar to how kittens view their mothers. The study concluded that cats “love†their owners in a way similar to human babies – perhaps even more than their canine counterparts.
This is very apparent with Gertie, even at 10. And now that I am gone more often again – without the same roommates – her separation anxiety has been through the roof. It breaks my heart sometimes that I can’t explain to her what the deal is, considering how much emotional support she has provided me during difficult periods in recent years.
So to help her cope with the shift, I’ve developed a few strategies that seem to help keep her stimulated and minimize stressors that exacerbate separation anxiety in cats. One strategy involves minimizing departure cues when getting ready to leave – such as the sound of my keys when walking out the door.
Leaving on her “Cat TV†programs before leaving for work – hours long videos of birds and other critters made to stimulate cats – has also seemed to help. In addition, I have been trying to interact with her more when I am at home, and making sure she has plenty of toys to play with.
I’m also considering putting up a bird-feeder so that she can have some extra entertainment. Some friends have also suggested buying a nanny cam so I can say hello to her when I am gone – and I know she would love that!
I’m hoping by this time next year, she will have adjusted, and that I will feel less guilty for leaving her more often again.
Until then, I am always open to hear about new strategies for combating separation anxiety in cats to help speed up the process.
If you would like to help me out by sharing some tips based on things that help your feline friends, email me at brandonp@sixriversmedia.com.
Brandon Paykamian is a reporter for the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Press. He can be reached at brandonp@sixriversmedia.com.
