Cats are very social animals and thrive when they receive affection and attention from their owners. Ignoring a cat, or not giving it the interaction it needs, can lead to boredom, stress, and behavior problems. Here’s an overview of what can happen when cat owners don’t give their feline friends enough quality time and engagement.
Boredom
One of the most common issues that arises from ignoring a cat is boredom. Cats need mental stimulation and activity to stay happy and healthy. An understimulated cat may become lethargic and sleep more than usual. But boredom can also cause behavior problems like:
- Excessive meowing or crying for attention
- Destructiveness like knocking things over or clawing furniture
- Aggression or attacking owners and other pets
- Excessive grooming to the point of over-grooming, licking, or hair loss
These behaviors are often a cat’s way of saying “pay attention to me!” Solving boredom involves dedicating time each day to interact with your cat through play, exercise, grooming, and affection. Rotating toys to spark their interest and playing interactive games will also help provide mental stimulation.
Stress
Stress is another common problem in ignored cats. Cats are very routine-oriented and feel most secure when they can follow a predictable daily schedule. Ignoring a cat prevents it from enjoying the social interaction that is a normal part of its daily life. This disruption to its routine can cause the cat stress. Signs of a stressed cat include:
- Excessive grooming, licking, or hair loss
- Urinating or defecating outside of the litter box
- Hiding more than usual
- Aggression or acting out with owners
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of appetite
To reduce stress, make sure you stick to a regular feeding schedule, give your cat daily playtime and affection, and keep its environment calm and stable. Cats also release stress through grooming, so regular brushing may comfort your cat. Consider using synthetic feline pheromones like Feliway to help ease stress as well.
Depression
While less common than boredom and stress, depressed cats will withdraw from social interaction if consistently ignored. A depressed cat sleeps excessively, loses interest in toys and play, and shows a loss of appetite. This differs from normal aging, in which a cat is still interested in food and interaction. Depressed cats need to see a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical issues. Then, they need extra encouragement, affection, and engaging activites from owners to help them recover.
Loneliness
Cats are social and develop close bonds with their human families. If ignored, they suffer from loneliness just like people do. A lonely cat will often excessively vocalize its need for companionship through meowing, crying, or yowling. The cat may follow its owner from room to room trying to interact. Or the cat may show signs of depression from the lack of social stimulation. Giving at least 10-15 minutes of playtime followed by petting/grooming will help your cat feel cared for.
Attention-Seeking Behaviors
The most obvious sign your cat is being ignored is attention-seeking behaviors. These include, but are not limited to:
- Excessive meowing, crying, or yowling
- Constantly following you and demanding attention
- Jumping on counters or furniture they know they aren’t allowed on
- Knocking over objects like lamps or houseplants
- scratching furniture
- Waking you up in the middle of the night
These behaviors will often escalate in frequency and intensity the longer a cat is ignored. It’s best to intervene early when you first notice these behaviors arising and spend more dedicated time with kitty.
Poor Litter Box Habits
Ignored cats may stop using the litter box properly. Urinating or defecating outside the box is a common sign something is wrong. Cats have an instinctive desire to use a litter box and keep their living space clean. When they stop caring for the box, it often means:
- The cat is stressed by changes to its routine or environment
- The cat has a medical issue like a UTI
- The cat wants attention and is acting out
Rule out medical causes first with a vet visit. Then, try spending more interactive time with kitty each day, stick to a consistent routine, and try products like synthetic pheromones to ease stress. Keep the litter box extremely clean as well.
Aggression
As social creatures, cats need positive interaction with their human families. Take that away, and they can become frustrated. A cat may bite or hiss at owners who ignores it or suddenly try to interact. Aggression can also happen between cats competing for limited attention. The aggression serves to release frustration and communicate an unhappy cat’s needs. Make sure each cat gets one-on-one play and affection daily. Increase the quantity and quality of interaction with an aggressive cat to improve mood and decrease aggression.
Excessive Vocalization
Excessive meowing, crying, yowling – vocalization of any kind – is a clear sign an ignored cat is unhappy. This is one of the first symptoms cats exhibit when they crave more attention. Meowing leads to more intense behaviors like knocking things over or aggression if owners continually ignore it. Make sure meowing cats get extra playtime and petting to satisfy their needs. Consider getting a second kitty companion if your cat is lonely and you’re away often.
Attention-Seeking Behaviors Toward Other Pets
Cats will sometimes turn to another pet in the home for interaction if owners ignore them. The cat may play roughly, bat at, or even attack another pet just to get reaction. Make sure you give each pet one-on-one time so none are deprived. And provide ample interactive toys to keep them exercising and bonding together in positive ways.
Excessive Sleeping
It’s normal for cats to sleep a lot – up to 16 hours a day. But ignored cats will sleep excessively, even for felines. They have no reason to get up and start their day without expected feeding times and daily play or petting. Excessive sleep can lead to lethargy and depression. Make sure your cat is on a set daily schedule for feedings, exercise, grooming, and snuggle sessions.
Destructiveness
A lack of stimulation leads to boredom in cats. A bored cat will act out by exhibiting destructive behaviors like:
- Shredding curtains, carpets, or upholstery
- Knocking over houseplants or lamps
- Scratching furniture
- Chewing on electric cords
- Tearing wallpaper
These behaviors provide excitement and satisfaction to an understimulated cat. Make sure your cat has climbing towers, scratching posts, interactive toys, and daily playtime to stay happy and avoid destruction. Consider cat deterrent sprays or double-sided sticky tape to make unwanted areas less appealing to scratch.
Over-grooming
Grooming is a natural stress reliever for cats. But ignored cats will over-groom, licking their fur excessively. This can lead to hairballs or hair loss. Make sure cats have appropriate surfaces to scratch and rub on. And spend time petting or brushing them to satisfy their grooming needs. Ask your vet about anti-anxiety medications in severe over-grooming cases.
House Soiling
Failing to use the litter box is common in ignored cats. They act out, try marking territory, or lose focus on good litter habits without positive reinforcement. Ruling out medical issues, improve matters by keeping the litter box extremely clean. Place multiple boxes in quiet, low-traffic areas. Try different litters to see if kitty has a preference. And adhere to a strict cleaning and feeding routine so your cat knows what to expect.
Attention-Seeking Toward New People
If an owner continually ignores their cat, the cat will often turn its attention-seeking behaviors toward new people instead. The cat becomes overly affectionate with visitors to the home, rubbing, purring, and soliciting pets. This is the cat’s attempt to get positive social interaction from someone. While sweet, this behavior means your cat is failing to have its needs met from the primary owner.
Hiding
Hiding is an early sign of stress in cats. An ignored cat loses its sense of security in the environment and routine. It will start hiding more often in places like under beds or in closets. Make sure your cat still has easy access to food, water, and litter if it is hiding. Then try to coax it out into the open with treats and affection. Maintain a predictable schedule and keep a calm home to minimize hiding.
Moving Away from Touch
Cats who are ignored can start averse to human touch – even if they initially craved affection. Being consistently rebuffed when seeking attention teaches the cat that touch brings no reward. The cat stops seeking petting and may hide or move away when owners reach out belatedly. Rebuild trust with treats, respect if kitty moves away, and consistent daily handling to show touch brings good things.
Loss of Appetite
Stress and depression from being ignored often cause cats to lose interest in food. This is especially concerning, as cats can develop fatal liver damage from prolonged lack of eating. Make sure dry food is always available. Hand feed tasty wet foods or treats to stimulate appetite. Use cat pheromones to reduce stress. And identify any underlying illness for ongoing appetite loss.
What Causes Cat Owners to Ignore Their Cats?
There are several common reasons why cat owners fail to interact with their pets enough:
- Being away from home for long hours due to work, school, or other obligations
- Personal problems like illness, depression, or anxiety
- Lack of education about cats’ social needs
- Believing cats prefer to be alone or are aloof
- Forgetting to make time if busy caring for kids or other pets
- Disliking cats or not wanting the responsibility of owning one
Regardless of the reason, if you’re in charge of a cat’s wellbeing, it’s important to make time to fulfill its basic needs for interaction daily. Cats do not thrive when ignored or neglected over long periods.
How Much Play and Affection Do Cats Need Daily?
On average, most cats need:
- 10-15 minutes of activity/play time once or twice daily
- 10-15 minutes of petting, lap time, or grooming once or twice daily
- Consistent daily feeding times
- Fresh water at all times
- A clean litter box checked 1-2 times daily
- Rotating novel toys to pique their interest
- Verbal interaction, praise, and treat-giving
Kittens and high-energy breeds may need longer play and interaction times – up to 30 minutes per session. Older or low-energy cats are fine with multiple shorter 5-10 minute sessions. Build a consistent schedule your cat can rely on daily.
How to Give Your Cat More Attention
If you’ve identified you are ignoring your cat’s needs, here are some tips for improving your interaction and bond:
- Schedule playtime on your calendar so it becomes a priority
- Try games like feather wands, laser pointers, treat puzzles
- Initiate grooming or lap time while watching TV or reading
- Sleep near your cat or invite it onto the bed
- Talk, praise, and sing to your cat regularly
- Buy toys like food balls and mice to pique curiosity when you’re gone
- Consider getting a second cat for companionship
- Set a recurring alarm to remind you to feed, play, and scoop litter
- Hire a pet sitter if you’re away over 12 hours at a time
- Buy synthetic pheromones to help your cat feel secure
Even spending just 10-15 minutes twice a day focusing on your cat can fulfill its needs and prevent behavior issues from neglect.
When to Seek Help for an Ignored Cat’s Problems
While increased interaction helps most ignored cats, some may need extra assistance if problematic behaviors persist or pose dangers. Seek help from your veterinarian or a cat behaviorist if your ignored cat exhibits:
- Ongoing house soiling or litter box issues
- Aggression that is increasing in frequency or intensity
- Destructiveness that damages property
- Depression lasting over 2 weeks
- Dangerous over-grooming leading to infections
- Decreased appetite lasting over 3 days
These professionals can rule out medical problems, provide behavioral therapy, prescribe anti-anxiety medications, and help you create a cat-friendly home. Be committed to following their advice for resolving your cat’s issues.
Prevent Problems by Fulfilling Your Cat’s Needs
The key to avoiding adverse effects from ignoring your cat is being proactive. Know the amount of affection, play, and routine a cat needs to stay happy and healthy. Make daily one-on-one interaction a habit, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes split into multiple sessions. Seek help from a vet or behaviorist sooner rather than later if problems do arise. And be committed to meeting your loyal companion’s needs – avoiding neglect will lead to a secure, affectionate cat.
Conclusion
Cats require daily interaction, play and bonding time with their owners. An ignored cat suffers mentally and physically from loneliness, boredom, and stress. This manifests in problematic attention-seeking behaviors like vocalizing excessively, aggression, house soiling and destruction. Make your cat a priority by feeding, grooming, and playing with it consistently each day. Seek help from a vet or behaviorist if behavioral issues persist. With dedicated time and care, your loving cat will reward you with purrs and affection for years to come.