I think my kitten is suffering from separation anxiety?

Question

He follows me from room to room gets upset whenever I go out he never lets me out of his sight. He's only three month old and I'm unsure if he'll grow out of this when he gets older. How can I train him to stop this behavior before he gets older.

Answer 1

It's good that your addressing this when he is younger.

There isn't too much you can do he just has to get used to it when you aren't around.

If you have a problem with him being around you so much then put him in another room in his bed for a little while or create a temporary room separator.

He is a kitten so he will want a lot of attention because most kittens do.

Most cats go outside a lot more when they are older so this shouldn't be a problem for him although remember to get him spayed before you let him outside or he may run away since male cats get territorial.

He is young so if he gets used to it then he will be fine.

As painful as it is, don't give in to his behavior because this will create habits for the future.

Chloe =]

Answer 2

HI there.

Mine does exactly the same thing! He's now 4 months and it's continuing. He's on my lap fiddling with the keys as I type now. Affectionate and sooo lovely but he is my shadow, totally, whenever I'm in the flat. I trip over him - he's that close AAAALLL the time. Goodness knows what he does when I'm out!

Well, over the last few weeks I've taken to shutting him in one room - with everything he needs like toys and water, not food as he is soooo greedy and would eat his weight in food if I let him... - for an increasing amounts of time. He's been on his own quite quietly (before he would yowl BIG time!) now for almost 3 hours. Basically, you have to leave them in a room they like and make sure that you're far enough away so they can't hear everything you're doing, or they won't settle.

All the best - I thiknk we jsut have to be firm. Does yours seek attention too? Mine has to be on me, or around me all the time. Sometimes he has little mad turns when I set him down and say NO!  

But hopefully they'll grow out of it. I'm going to get him neutered soon - most vets agree you can spay and neuter them, which should calm them down, from about 5 months onwards

Answer 3

Haha. My cat is 12 now and he is dependent on my mom. I think that is her fault though. She always talks to him and he talks back. Like not normal meows, its weird. And he sleeps on her bed at night, wakes her up in the morning to feed him, snuggles his head in her lap when he sits on her. I'm not sure what you can do to stop it, but if hes like that when he's older, it will be annoying. Sometimes its really cute when my cat does it though. But my mom is away right now and he settles for me. He wakes me up every morning now. I know I didn't really answer the question, just wanted to share my story. Good luck