Cats need play and mental stimulation. Their deep-down feline nature is as a hunter and play fills that role for the house cat. Without it, they can become bored, destructive, annoying, restless, withdrawn, and/or aggressive. Lack of play and stimulation can also lead to stress-related health issues and obesity.
Play with your kitten at least two to three times a day (ideally for 15 minutes at a time) using interactive toys.
If your cat is usually snuggly or crazy about play and is now sullen and alone, they may be feeling sadness and just need some time apart from the family. On the opposite side of that, if you cat suddenly feels a need for more attention and affection, they may be lonely and need comforting.
Lastly, but no less important, ignoring a cat can build frustration if the cat doesn't know any other way to behave or has been rewarded for their behavior in the past. Frustration can lead to an increase in the behavior and may also cause lower tolerance and a higher risk of aggression.
In some cases, they can develop separation anxiety that will be displayed in a variety of ways. However, with a bit of time, patience and love, most kittens will learn that it's fine to be left home alone sometimes.
Kittens under 4 months old should not be left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. If because of your lifestyle, your cat will need to get used to time alone, begin training your kitten by gradually increasing the amount of time you are out of the house.
The good news is, despite their reputations for being antisocial, cats love bonding and they do forgive and forget. So, if you're at a loss as to how you're going to rebuild trust and affection with your cat, don't fret.
Do cats actually miss their owners? Yes, they do. The cats miss the owners whenever they are away or have been detached from the owner. They notice the absence of all the showered love their owners have left for them.
Don't Stare at a Cat
For cats, staring is a sign of aggression. You can make brief contact then look away and to the side. Offer the cat long, slow blinks, which translates to "I mean you no harm." The cat may reciprocate the blinks.
Cats, while often independent creatures, still crave attention and love, in addition to their obvious nutritional needs of fresh water, clean litter, and food. If you decide to bring a cat or kitten into your home, you should be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes a day giving your cat loving one-on-one attention.
The most common signs of an unhappy cat are cowering, hissing, and fleeing. But sometimes your cat may not show obvious signs of stress. This is why as a pet owner you should have knowledge of how cats behave when they're depressed.
The amount of playtime your kitten needs will vary from kitten to kitten, as some cats are more energetic than others, but they generally need at least two to three play sessions a day, if not more. These sessions do not have to be long: short bursts of play throughout the day will keep your kitten stimulated.
Cats make great companions and because of their independent nature, they are content being home alone. But just like other animals, cats can get bored if they are not given sufficient stimulation.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
Your Cat Stares at You to Show Affection
Cats can use staring as a nonverbal way of communicating. Even though a long, unblinking stare may not be the best way for humans to show affection, when your fur baby does this, it may mean they're showing love to their favourite owner.
Hissing, growling, biting, slashing, or digging their nails into your skin are fairly clear indications that a cat is not happy with you. Of course, some cats do play a little rough, and most cats will give a love bite now and then, but if your cat bites you hard enough to break the skin, that is one pissed-off cat.
They can remember a person's face for up to 10 years! And kitties become seriously attached to their humans, so in case you were wondering, yes, your cat remembers and misses you when you're gone for a few weeks, and they absolutely mourn when a trusted companion drops out of their life.
Social play usually peaks at about 3 months of age. As they get to 4-9 months, they hit their teenage years. They may start to feel their natural predatory selves and the need to begin “hunt” and scavenge. They may start bringing toys, sleeping more during the day, and playing more in the evenings.
Unfamiliar Objects, Fruit or People
But it is a good example of cats being afraid of unfamiliar things (people, objects, fruits, etc.). Cats like to feel safe and secure in their home — if something new enters their space, that's probably going to cause some stress.
Cats need play and mental stimulation. Their deep-down feline nature is as a hunter and play fills that role for the house cat. Without it, they can become bored, destructive, annoying, restless, withdrawn, and/or aggressive. Lack of play and stimulation can also lead to stress-related health issues and obesity.
It's almost inevitable that your kitten will cry for at least the first couple of nights when you bring them home. Remember, they've just been removed from their mum and littermates and they're bound to feel a little bit lonely. The best thing you can do is keep your kitten feeling as safe and warm as possible.
Newborn to 8 Weeks
In their first weeks of life, it's normal to hear baby kittens crying or meowing because they need food and warmth, says the ASPCA. Kittens usually stay with their mothers until the age of 8 weeks so that they can nurse and stay cozy.