Kitty Separation Anxiety

I’ve still got days of vacation that I haven’t documented but today was dominated by 2 cats; one outside and one inside.

Last night, our first night home in over 2 weeks, 3 of the outside cats were here.  Buzz was a no-show.  Early in the evening only Marmalade was there so I fed her half-a-can of food.  After that she stood outside the door and screamed until I fed her the second half.

This morning Marmalade was still there and still quite vocal.  I had the kitchen window open because the weather is good for that.  I fed Marmalade again this morning.  I feed them more often when we get back from an extended trip.  I also pet her some.  Then I went inside and started emptying the sink.  Marmalade kept meowing at me.  She got up on the roof and peered down into the window as if she were trying to figure out a way to get to the window.  It is 4 feet above the patio with only the angled window glass that keeps rain off the feeder.  Nothing to climb on.

About a half-hour later I was again in the kitchen and Marmalade again was very vocal—calling to me .  All of a sudden I hear a thump and there is Marmalade front legs forming a “V” clinging to the screen of the kitchen window.  She meowed at me and then looked around and down with an “why did I do this and how am I going to get down?” expression.  It looked a little like this except for the panic on her face.

  Finally she just let go and dropped down to the patio bouncing off the angled window glass on the way down.

I went outside and pet her for a long time after that and it settled her down for the rest of the day.  I’ve never seen her act like that before.

Tonight all 4 cats were there.  Maybe Marmalade will be calmer now.

The other anxious cat is, of course, Brie.   Brie is much more clingy and friendly when we return from trips.  It’s as if she were almost a normal cat.  She sleeps with me, she cuddles with Penny and she is always with one of us.  This fades after a week or so.  We enjoy it while it lasts.