{"id":1868,"date":"2022-12-01T10:12:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T10:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fluv.com\/blog\/?p=1868"},"modified":"2026-04-30T08:59:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T08:59:32","slug":"cat-miss-you-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/cat-miss-you-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"Does your cat miss you when you&#8217;re away? 5 signs they&#8217;re secretly thinking of you | Fluv professional cat sitter"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1614 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu.jpeg\" alt=\"Do cats miss their owners?\" width=\"1125\" height=\"1125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu.jpeg 1125w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/1lSJKltxscwIWUrfSEWu-809x809.jpeg 809w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1125px) 100vw, 1125px\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7;padding: 25px;border-radius: 5px;margin-bottom: 30px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;font-size: 20px;color: #333;margin-bottom: 15px\">Table of contents<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;padding-left: 25px;margin-bottom: 0\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;padding-left: 25px;margin-bottom: 0\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;color: #333\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;color: #555;font-size: 16px\" href=\"#section1\">Do cats miss their owners?<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;color: #333\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;color: #555;font-size: 16px\" href=\"#section2\">Signs your cat is missing you<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;color: #333\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;color: #555;font-size: 16px\" href=\"#section3\">How to help your cat with separation anxiety<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;color: #333\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;color: #555;font-size: 16px\" href=\"#section4\">Cat psychology and behavior<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;color: #333\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;color: #555;font-size: 16px\" href=\"#section5\">Fluv special offers | Limited-time deals for pet lovers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Did you know your cat actually misses you? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/zh-tw\">Fluv<\/a> has rounded up 5 behaviors that show your cat is thinking of you while you&#8217;re away, so you can better understand what&#8217;s going on in your kitty&#8217;s head. If you&#8217;re often out or away for long stretches, you can also book a professional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/zh-tw\/service\/dropin\">in-home cat sitter<\/a> to keep your cat comfortable and cared for in their own familiar space.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section1\">Do cats miss their owners?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As humans, it&#8217;s easy for us to project our emotions onto our pets. When we&#8217;re away for days, we naturally &#8220;miss&#8221; them \u2014 but is the feeling mutual? Cat behavior is notoriously hard to read, but that doesn&#8217;t mean we&#8217;re giving up on figuring them out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many experts have studied this, and the findings are mixed. Some research points to separation anxiety in cats, while other studies reach the opposite conclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0135109\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2015 study from the University of Lincoln<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> found that cats, unlike dogs, don&#8217;t rely on humans for a sense of security. While cats are capable of forming bonds with people, they are independent creatures who don&#8217;t need humans to survive \u2014 and they seem to know it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That doesn&#8217;t mean you and your cat don&#8217;t have a strong emotional connection. Cats are naturally <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/current-biology\/fulltext\/S0960-9822(19)31086-3?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982219310863%3Fshowall%3Dtrue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">affectionate animals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, but how much they need human company varies from cat to cat \u2014 some prefer their alone time, while others love being around their human family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not everyone agrees with the Lincoln study, though. Tim Link, president of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wagging-tales.com\/_index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wagging Tails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, says cats do experience separation anxiety, just like dogs \u2014 feeling uneasy when their owner is away and keeping track of when they&#8217;re expected home. That said, Tim also notes that every cat is different, and some handle anxiety better than others.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There&#8217;s no definitive answer yet, but one thing is certain: whether or not your cat misses you the way a dog would, they absolutely want your love and attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section2\">Signs your cat is missing you<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1418 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/5.jpg\" alt=\"Signs your cat is missing you\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/5-809x539.jpg 809w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cat behavior is always mysterious and hard to decode. So what clues can tell us that our cat is stressed when we&#8217;re away? Here are 5 signs your cat is missing you:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Purring and stretching when you get home<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0185599#sec013\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> published in PLOS ONE observed cat behavior after owners were away for 30 minutes versus several hours. Cats left alone longer showed significantly more purring and stretching when their owner returned \u2014 suggesting your cat is genuinely happy to see you come home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Demanding lots of attention when you return<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cats are much more subtle about asking for attention than dogs, so you&#8217;ll need to pay close attention. If your cat keeps sticking by your side, follows you from room to room, or rubs against your legs, they&#8217;re telling you: &#8220;I missed you \u2014 pay attention to me!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Seeming stressed or irritable when you get home<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have you noticed a shift in your cat&#8217;s attitude? They might seem less friendly than usual, or start vocalizing more or becoming clingy. Some experts point to these negative reactions as signs of separation anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Destructive behavior<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A stressed cat can develop some pretty bad habits, especially when bored. Some lonely cats act out when you&#8217;re away, and in more anxious cases, some may even urinate outside the litter box.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5. Physical symptoms<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In more extreme cases, some cats can become so worried when you&#8217;re away that they actually get sick. Even when a familiar person comes to check on them, they may still seem unwell \u2014 a clear sign that they really do miss their owner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section3\">How to help your cat with separation anxiety<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Of course, it&#8217;s not realistic to be home with your cat 24\/7. Here are some tips to help your cat feel more comfortable on their own:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Toys<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stock up on interactive toys, scratching posts, and smart feeders. You might also set up a cat tree by a window so your cat has something to watch \u2014 birds outside make for great entertainment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Create a comfortable environment<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before you head out, make sure there&#8217;s fresh food and water, and clean the litter box. These small things may seem minor, but they go a long way in helping your cat feel settled and able to handle longer stretches alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Hire a cat sitter<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you&#8217;re going to be away for a long time, consider booking an <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/zh-tw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in-home cat sitter (Fluv pet sitter)<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to keep your cat company, check on their wellbeing, clean the litter box, refresh their water, feed them, and play with them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Keep a consistent routine<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Changing your cat&#8217;s daily schedule can be confusing or unsettling for them. Try to keep things as predictable as possible each day. If you come home at different times or travel frequently, your cat may start to worry that you&#8217;re not coming back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section4\">Cat psychology and behavior<\/h2>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"3\">Q1: Do cats really miss their owners?<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4\"><b data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Yes, your cat definitely misses you!<\/b> While the 2015 University of Lincoln study suggested cats are independent and don&#8217;t necessarily need humans for security, many animal behavior experts (like Tim Link) argue that cats form strong emotional bonds with their owners. When you&#8217;re not home, cats track your routine to anticipate when you&#8217;ll return, and they clearly crave your love and attention.<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"5\">Q2: What are the signs that a cat is missing their owner?<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\">Cats express longing more subtly than dogs, but here are 5 key signs to watch for:<\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" data-path-to-node=\"7\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">An enthusiastic greeting:<\/b> Your cat purrs and stretches a lot when you walk through the door.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Shadowing behavior:<\/b> Constantly rubbing against your legs and following you in and out of rooms, showing a strong need for your attention.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Emotional instability:<\/b> Acting irritable, vocalizing, or becoming overly clingy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,3,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Destructive behavior:<\/b> Acting out due to anxiety or boredom \u2014 scratching furniture or eliminating outside the litter box.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,4,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7,4,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Physical symptoms:<\/b> In extreme cases, severe anxiety can lead to illness or loss of appetite.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"8\">Q3: How can I tell if my cat has separation anxiety?<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\">If your cat becomes restless when you&#8217;re getting ready to leave, or shows signs of <b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"28\">destructive behavior, inappropriate urination, or excessive grooming<\/b> \u2014 or even gets sick \u2014 while you&#8217;re away, these are classic signs of <b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"55\">feline separation anxiety<\/b>. It&#8217;s worth addressing through consistent routines, environmental enrichment, or professional support.<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"10\">Q4: How can I reduce my cat&#8217;s stress when I&#8217;m away for a long time?<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11\">To help your cat feel at ease at home, try these approaches:<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"12\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Enrich their environment:<\/b> Provide interactive toys and scratching posts, or set up a cat tree by a window so they can watch the world outside.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Keep them comfortable:<\/b> Before you leave, make sure they have plenty of fresh food and water, and clean the litter box.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Stick to a routine:<\/b> Keep feeding and playtime consistent so your cat feels a predictable sense of security.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12,3,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Book an in-home cat sitter:<\/b> If you&#8217;ll be away for an extended period, consider hiring a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/zh-tw\/service\/house-sitting\">professional cat sitter<\/a> to visit your home. Your cat stays in their familiar environment, gets companionship and care, and avoids the added stress of being moved somewhere new.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"13\">Q5: Why is an in-home cat sitter better than a pet hotel?<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\">Cats are deeply reliant on the security of their environment. An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/zh-tw\/search\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14\" data-index-in-node=\"16\">in-home cat sitter<\/b><\/a> lets your cat stay in the home they know and love, reducing the stress that comes with being moved to an unfamiliar place. Beyond the basics \u2014 refreshing water, feeding, and cleaning the litter box \u2014 a sitter also provides professional companionship and play, helping ease your cat&#8217;s longing and anxiety.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cats are still a mystery in many ways \u2014 we never quite know what&#8217;s going on inside those adorable little heads. But one thing we know for sure is that we love them deeply. And if your cat is attached to you or gets unsettled when you&#8217;re away, that&#8217;s a sign of something truly special between the two of you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need a cat sitter while you&#8217;re away, you can search on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fluv.com\/?utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=20250707_cat_miss_you_signs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fluv<\/a> \u2014 Taiwan&#8217;s largest pet sitter platform<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div style=\"background-color: #fff;padding: 20px;border-radius: 10px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #fffaf0;border: 2px dashed #ffa500;padding: 30px;border-radius: 15px;margin-top: 40px;text-align: center\">\n<h2 id=\"section8\" style=\"color: #e67e22;margin-top: 0\">Fluv special offers | Limited-time deals for pet lovers<\/h2>\n<p>#Give your pet the best \u2014 find the perfect match for them<\/p>\n<p>Does your senior dog need someone around all the time? Find your pet&#8217;s perfect sitter on Fluv today!<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #fff;padding: 20px;border-radius: 10px;margin: 20px 0\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0;font-size: 1.1em\">\ud83c\udf81 <strong>New users \u2014 enter promo code<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 2em;color: #d35400;font-weight: bold;margin: 10px 0\">NEW95<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0\">Book now and enjoy <strong>5% off<\/strong> your first service!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Ready to find the perfect professional pet sitter for your furry friend?<\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background-color: #e67e22;color: white;padding: 10px 20px;text-decoration: none;border-radius: 5px;font-weight: bold;margin-top: 10px\" href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/cat-miss-you-signs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download the Fluv app now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7044 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/fluv_________candace___________.jpg\" alt=\"Fluv founder Candace Chen\" width=\"2848\" height=\"2848\" \/><\/b>Fluv founder Candace Chen<\/h2>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/candace-chen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia<\/a> \uff5c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tatlerasia.com\/people\/fluv-founder-zh-hant?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa59xRZ_0flQqUrfUOlaskR6Yv6dWH7OjJPf__TKvRN0iNlEBdcDYK6OH4_aem_ATJjWPfXQX4mELpkh3P0LyeshkUAOlIJ6SPn-X3JAt8qk_HcG1lNIErTldzLQmZk0GSW8R1Z8FQdElrB_ARNvrRo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2024 Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>As the founder of Fluv, Candace has built the brand into Taiwan&#8217;s largest and most trusted pet care platform through exceptional business vision and execution.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognized on world-class lists: Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia and selected as a 2024 Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow.<\/li>\n<li>Backed by heavyweight investors: Successfully secured investment from Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin and leading venture firm SIC.<\/li>\n<li>Market leader: Fluv now brings together over 7,000 vetted professional sitters and has earned the trust of 140,000 members.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Views: 5979<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do cats miss their owners? Many experts have studied this behavior \u2014 some say cats experience separation anxiety, others disagree. Here&#8217;s what the research says.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":1418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,2446],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pet-care","category-cat-care"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1868"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7533,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868\/revisions\/7533"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluv.com\/tw\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}