Single Cat Syndrome: What It Is and How to Prevent It

The stereotype of cats being independent and never in need of companionship is false. What’s true is that some cats simply don’t get along with other cats and want their own territory. However, many cats, kittens especially, thrive around other cats. Kittens can also benefit from the presence of an older cat teaching them how to play more gently and appropriately. For these reasons, almost all rescues and shelters recommend adopting kittens in pairs or, when that isn’t possible, having another young cat in the home for your new kitten to play with.

Raising a kitten or older cat alone can result in something called single cat syndrome. This is a group of behaviors that appear when a cat doesn’t have the daily interaction, stimulation, or companionship that it really needs. (Even if a cat is quietly perched on the couch next to you, that companionship counts as a form of interaction.) Single cat syndrome can lead to a cat becoming aggressive or showing signs of anxiety and dependency. Sometimes getting another cat is the answer. However, if you’re unable to do that, cat sitting could be a solution.

What Is Single Cat Syndrome?

Single cat syndrome symptoms are a group of behaviors seen in kittens and cats who were raised without, or who are going without, adequate companionship. It’s not an official veterinary term. However, many rescues and other pet-oriented organizations use it because the cat’s home situation and upbringing are so tightly linked to the cluster of behaviors. These behaviors can be highly destructive and disturbing.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Cats raised alone may play too roughly with you, including biting and scratching you. They may vocalize constantly or be extremely clingy, doing everything they can to get your attention. These cats can also display signs of separation anxiety, becoming destructive when you’re away. They may mark territory and urinate outside their litterbox. They can seem extremely aggressive.

Cats may also display behavior that seems to be the opposite of all that. They can appear bored or depressed, especially when you leave them for a period of time.

Is Single Cat Syndrome Real?

Single cat syndrome isn’t an official term in the veterinary field. However, the cluster of behaviors shows up rather reliably in cats who aren’t getting enough interaction, and in kittens who didn’t have a kitten playmate or an older cat to show them the ropes.

Why Solo Cats Need More Engagement

Kittens need more engagement mainly to teach them how to be a cat and how to act in society. Older cats can model appropriate behaviors for the kittens, both in terms of play and in terms of general daily activities.

Older cats who aren’t getting enough engagement can become lonely and feel isolated, showing aggressive, destructive behaviors that are meant to get your attention. Cats need stimulation and interaction, and if the only way to do that is to chew, bite, scratch or swipe things off the counter, that’s what they’re going to do.

At Green Paws Chicago, our team also recommends that all pet parents adopt two cats (if possible) to increase engagement and decrease loneliness. 

Daily Play as Prevention

One way to give cats the interaction they need is to use interactive toys and to schedule playtime. Toys keep your cat busy, and the scheduled playtime gives your cat something to look forward to. Ensuring that you play with your cat consistently, even in short sessions throughout the day, can result in your cat becoming more content and less likely to act out.

Maintaining Routine While You’re Away

Taking trips without your cat, either for work or for personal reasons, can disrupt your cat’s normal routine. The lack of interaction and the seeming “abandonment” due to no one being at home can result in your cat backsliding into destructive or depressive behaviors.

Rather than leaving your cat alone with a neighbor occasionally popping in to feed them, look into hiring a cat sitter. In Chicago, cat sitter services can help maintain the interactions and playtime schedule that your cat has come to expect.

Alternatives to Getting Another Cat

If you’re wondering how to prevent single kitten syndrome without getting another cat, there are options that still let you have a solo cat. However, you’ll need to ensure your cat gets structured enrichment and playtime along with regular interaction from yourself or another human. If you plan to go away on a trip, an in-home pet-sitting service in Chicago can provide the companionship your cat needs.

When to Consider Professional Help

If giving your cat more interaction, either with you, another household member, or a cat-sitter, doesn’t change your cat’s behavior, you may need to seek professional help for your cat. In the meantime, however, arranging for a cat-sitter to be with your cat even when you’re just at work ensures your cat gets the attention they need throughout the day.

Conclusion

It’s possible to prevent single cat syndrome through consistent schedules and consistent interaction. Ensuring a Chicago cat-sitter stays with your cat when you have to travel supports your cat’s emotional health and wellbeing while also maintaining your cat’s expected schedule.