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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Leaving NIP alone
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Question
I have a 9 year old Male who is very warm and we are definately close.
However, I am gone thruout the week usually Monday thru Friday.
My father comes and visits with him for about an hour everyday but he is
beginning to show some behavioural symptoms of being alone or seperate
from his master.
1) He is still affectionate but no longer "hangs out" in my lap or next to me
either he is in my face or under the bed which is usually where he hangs out.
2) He seems to just hang out under the bed when I am gone and now even
when I am home.
He is OK for the most part and I am afraid to move him again (which was a
real struggle) or seperate him from me long term as we are definately
bonded.
I have the option of moving him to my fathers place but that would separate
us more.
What can I do?
Concerned about NIP
Shawn,
)
A cat should NOT be left alone 5 days a week! Your cat is showing serious signs of depression and boredom, and that can lead to behavorial and emotional problems and/or medical issues.
It is possible that it would help to get him a kitty friend about the same age and temperment for companionship, but at 9 years old (which is approximately 52 years old in human years), he may not accept another cat.
Why would it separate you more if he were to stay at your father's while you were gone? An ideal thing would to get him a big dog crate so he could stay at your father's when you are gone. At least he would have people around and company, and it would be a safe place for him to stay in. I use one for cat sitting and it is ideal. I got mine at Petco. I am attaching a picture of it.
Can you take him with you in a cat carrier? Keep him in the motel, or where ever you stay? He NEEDS companionship, whether it is yours or someone else's.
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Tabbi, Thanx so much. Hopefully the damage done so far is reversable. I will look into the cat carrier and I am home for the next 3 weeks. He hates to travel but back and forth to dads is probably OK, we will try it out while I home for this stretch. Thanks again!! -Shawn | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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