Do cats miss their owners?

You might miss your cat – but do they miss you back? Here’s everything you need to know about whether cats miss their owners when they’re out of sight.

---

Whether you’re at work for the day or away for a longer holiday, you might worry about your cat missing you while you’re gone.

Cats can form strong emotional bonds with their owners, so it’s no surprise that they definitely can miss your presence when you’re not around. Here’s how to tell whether they’ve missed you – and what to do if you think your cat might have developed separation-related behaviour issues.

Signs your cat missed you

While perhaps not showing it as overtly as their canine counterparts, cats do display many subtle clues that they’ve missed their owners – though these often depend on their breed, personality and how long you’ve been gone.

In some cats, these behaviours may be very subtle and in others, they might be hard to miss! Here are the most common signs.

Increased vocalisations

When you get home, your cat might meow, chirp and trill. Cats primarily use verbal communication towards people – not other cats (as it’s a learned behaviour) – so they’re probably trying to get your attention to let you know they’re happy to see you.

Waiting by the door

If you work regular hours, your cat might anticipate when you get home and start waiting by the door to greet you. Or, they might hear you opening the door and come running to see you.

Extra affection

Whether they wrap themselves around your legs as you walk, follow you from room to room or insist on sitting on your lap – there are many ways cats can show affection. These may be extra evident when you return after being out of the house. Cats show they love us in many different ways, including:

• Kneading
• Head-butts
• Licking you
• Sleeping on you
• Making eye contact and slow blinking

Purring

Purring is one of the most obvious ways a cat can show they’re happy – so if your cat has missed you, they may purr more than normal when you return.

However, purring can also be a sign your cat is trying to comfort themselves or that they’re in pain. Pay attention to the context in which your cat is purring, to make sure it’s their way of saying they’re pleased to see you.

Playfulness

If your cat or kitten is particularly playful, you may find they get the zoomies as soon as you get home. These bursts of intense energy usually last for around 30 minutes, and indicate that your cat has plenty of excess energy to burn off – maybe because they’ve been napping while they wait for you!

If possible, set aside some time to play and interact with your cat soon after you get home to help them burn off any unused energy.

Indifference

Not all signs your cat missed you are positive – some cats might not even acknowledge your return! But this doesn’t mean they haven’t noticed you’re back; it can simply be their way of showing they still feel secure and content, even when home alone. 

Do cats miss their owners when they go on holiday?

If you have a strong bond with your cat, it’s likely they’ll miss you if you’re away for an extended period of time. This may manifest with behavioural changes such as excessive vocalisation, hiding away or changes in their appetite.

Whether you’ve left them with a trusted friend, a cat-sitter or dropped them at a cattery, ask your cat’s carer to keep an eye on any behavioural changes, and ensure they schedule some play sessions to keep your cat entertained and distracted.

Do cats miss their owners when rehomed?

There are a lot of new things for a cat to adjust to when settling into a new home. If you have recently adopted a cat, you may worry about them pining for their old owners. As cats have great memories, it is likely that they can go through a period of missing their old owners, especially if they had a strong bond.

However, by giving them plenty of time to adjust, affection and space when they need it, you’ll notice them starting to form bonds with their new family members in time. Cats need consistency and predictable routines to help them settle in. Be patient as they get used to their surroundings, and if you’re concerned they’re not settling in, speak to your vet or a qualified behaviourist for expert advice.

If you’ve got Petplan cat insurance, you can also use our free Pet Expert Chat service to ask any behavioural questions. Simply log into your My Petplan account and head to the My Support area to access.

Can cats get separation anxiety?

While most cats likely miss their owners sometimes, they’re usually still happy to entertain themselves or take a long nap while you’re gone. However, occasionally a cat can miss their owner so much that they develop separation anxiety or other separated-related behaviours.

Symptoms of separation anxiety include:

• Hiding
• Restlessness
• Urine spraying
• Changes to eating habits
• Under or overgrooming
• Constantly seeking attention

If you’re concerned your cat is showing signs of separation anxiety, the first thing to do is speak to your vet. They’ll be able to check for any health conditions which could be causing some of the above symptoms.

If your cat gets the all-clear from your vet, they may refer you to a qualified cat behaviourist for further support. They’ll be able to assess any changes to your cat’s behaviour and offer suggestions to help your cat stay happy and calm when you’re out of the house.