Do cats miss their owners? Signs your cat misses you

Updated 26/06/2024

While for dog lovers, it’s often easy to tell how our furry pals are feeling (wagging tails, face licks and enthusiastic bounding - ahem), it can be a much bigger challenge to gauge the feelings of our feline friends. Cats are more subtle creatures and while going about their often independent lives, it can be difficult for pet parents to know how they’re really feeling behind those stealthy, elegant exteriors. So it begs the question - do cats miss their owners when they go on vacation? And how can you tell if your cat is missing you? Well here we’re exploring exactly that - signs your cat’s been missing you (that your house sitter can keep an eye out for), along with ways you can combat feline separation anxiety - let’s get into it.

Do cats miss their owners? Here are some possible signs…

1. Affection when you get home
2. Extra purring when you get home
3. Unusually ‘bad’ behavior
4. Physical illness
5. Agitation
6. Depression
7. Restlessness
8. Jumpy behavior
9. Hiding
10. Reduced appetite

Affection when you get home

When you next return home from a longer trip away than usual, pay close attention to how your kitty acts around you. While a dog’s reaction to the return of their pet parent can be a little ‘in your face’ (in the best way possible, of course), your feline friend’s reaction is likely to be a whole lot more subtle. So, if you come home to a kitty rubbing their face against your leg and following you indoors, outdoors and even to the toilet, you can bet they’ve missed your company and are glad of your return!

Extra purring when you get home

When you leave your kitty for hours at a time, what noises and movements do they make when you return home? Well next time, keep an eye out for your cat’s reaction and you might notice extra purring and stretching - they’re sure signs they’re happy you’re home. And if your feline friend is making these efforts to show they’re happy to see you, be sure to give them some TLC right back!

Unusually ‘bad’ behavior

If your kitty is missing your company, they might turn to destructive behaviors in an attempt to relieve stress. These include - toileting outside of their litter box, knocking objects over and scratching at furniture more than usual - all signs they’re feeling pretty unhappy. So, do cats miss their owners if they’re behaving ‘badly’? Not always - it’s important to keep an eye out for other signs of separation anxiety and to note how long they’ve been separated from you for. Context is key here, and any major changes in behavior should always be discussed with your veterinarian.

Physical illness

You’re probably familiar with the phrase ‘sick with worry’ - well unfortunately, when our feline friends are seriously missing us, they can get physically sick as well as feeling pretty down mentally. If your cat isn’t used to your absence, the stress they’re under may cause them to be physically sick, or to have stress diarrhea. While you won’t be able to predict whether this nasty symptom will occur, there are ways you can combat separation anxiety in cats - scroll down for a few suggestions.

Agitation

As a fellow feline lover, you’ll know that our kitty’s behaviors are pretty subtle, so it can sometimes take a keen eye to notice behavior changes. So, if you’re welcoming a pet sitter to care for your furry family while you’re away, ask them to watch out for signs of agitation like crying, unfriendly behavior, extended alone time, or maybe even clinginess to anyone they know better.

Depression

If a furry family member is seriously missing their pet parent, there’s a chance that feline depression will develop. Signs to look out for include a combination of lethargy, loss of appetite, no longer grooming themselves, excessive meowing, tucked-under tails and laid-back ears. So, do cats miss their owners if they’ve got any one of these symptoms? Not necessarily - it’s important to look out for all of these behaviors, and if you notice any of them you should contact a veterinarian to check your cat isn’t unwell.

Restlessness

If your cat is missing you while you’re away, they can become restless. The signs to look out for include aggression towards people and other pets, more vocalization than usual and changes to their eating habits. They might also pace about the house and scratch at furniture.

Jumpy behavior

While our kitty pals are more often than not, cool, calm and collected, jumpy behavior could be a sign that your cat is missing you, and may even have separation anxiety. If your cat is more on edge and watchful than usual, they’re likely to become scared and startled by noises and human behaviors that they usually wouldn’t flinch at. While our feline friends aren’t huge fans of loud noises in general, the time to worry is when they’re startled by noises they’re used to hearing (like the sound of sirens and people walking past their home).

Hiding

Some cats may tuck themselves away if they’re feeling scared or unhappy - tight spaces help them to feel safe and out of harm’s way, so it’s a way of coping if they’re missing their pet parents. But do all cats miss their owners if they seem to be sneaking off? Not at all - you should observe  (or ask your pet sitter to observe while you’re away) your kitty’s other behaviors alongside the hiding. There’s a high chance they’re simply being playful, or enjoying their much-needed ‘me time’!

Reduced appetite

Sadly, feline separation anxiety can lead to a reduced appetite, which can - in some cases - become dangerous. While a reduced appetite is a sign they’re missing their pet parents, it’s important to keep an eye on any other unusual behaviors, because a lack of appetite can also be a sign of illness. If you’re worried, get advice from a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Ways to combat feline separation anxiety

1. Welcome a loving pet sitter
2. Provide toys
3. Get your cat used to spending time apart from you
4. Create a consistent routine
5. Avoid big goodbyes
6. Don’t leave for too long initially 

Welcome a loving pet sitter

One of the best ways to make sure your fluffy best friend isn’t left feeling lonely is to welcome a loving cat sitter, naturally. Better than being fed by neighbors and left to fend for themselves, a kitty sitter can give them the TLC they need while you’re away. By far, it’s the best way to stop your cat feeling lonely, and to keep them company if you know they sometimes suffer from separation anxiety.

Toys

Sometimes, your cat is simply missing you due to a lack of mental stimulation. While we know that our feline friends are fence-hopping experts and often social butterflies, it can help to invest in toys that’ll keep them occupied at home. Think scratching posts, cat trees, perches and catnip-stuffed bundles.

Get them used to time apart

While cats love their ‘me time’, they won’t appreciate going from having round-the-clock company from you to none at all. So, while welcoming a pet sitter is always recommended for your trips away, build up to that by making sure your cat has enough time alone while they’re growing up. This will help them to learn how to entertain themselves and ensure they feel safe when not in your company.

Routine

One of the best ways to stop your cat missing you while you’re away is to establish a routine they’re completely used to before you go. That way, you can discuss this on yoursit handover with your sitter, and your kitty can feel safe in a routine they’re used to.

Avoid big goodbyes

When you leave the house for a trip away from your furry best friend, we’d recommend you avoid huge goodbyes. While it can feel great for us humans to give our felines a big snuggle before we go, the unusual behavior can make our pets feel uneasy and may trigger separation anxiety prematurely.

Don’t leave for long initially

If you’re worried about your kitty showing signs of separation anxiety, one of the best ways you can gauge their reaction to your absence is to gradually build up the length of your trips. That way, they’re not away from you (and feeling sad) for too long, and you can take appropriate action to help them feel more secure for next time.

Related article: International Friendship Day: Meet My Pet Best Friend

Meet our veterinary expert, Gemma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Gemma Cliffin BSc BVSc MRCVS. Gemma is an experienced small animal vet who combines her love of writing alongside working in practice. Since her graduation from the University of Liverpool in 2014 she has worked in a wide variety of roles including first opinion practice, as a night vet, and as a locum vet. She has also spent time working at a charity clinic in the Cook Islands which was a challenge but also immensely rewarding. She loves all aspects of veterinary work, but she especially enjoys medicine cases and diagnostic imaging. She is passionate about pain management, particularly in her more senior patients. She currently works in a first opinion small animal practice in North Yorkshire where she deals with both routine and emergency cases.

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