loneliness signs in cats

I am so sorry to bother everyone again but I am feeling really anxious about Milo and Lucy lately. Since I started back at school and the baby is here, I am not home much. I wrote up the details of their recent vet checkups and what we have tried in my previous thread about boredom so you do not have to read the same thing twice.

Basically, Milo is usually very energetic but now he just stares at the window or sleeps in the laundry basket. Lucy is shy anyway but she has started over-grooming her tail. I read this thread on how to tell if a cat is lonely and it sounds like them. I am worried I am neglecting them. Does anyone know if this is just adjustment stress or do they actually need more social interaction?

oh no, dont worry kristen! you are not neglecting them. having a baby is huge. my jasper gets crazy when i am out but i think its more about the routine changing than just missing you. have you tried the stuff in this toy thread? i use the laser pointer for like 5 mins and they go nuts. also luna is super shy so i just let her come to me. maybe just a little extra cuddle time when you get home?

Hi Kristen! Please don't feel bad about this! I have three cats and I know how it feels when the house is quiet and then suddenly there is a baby and school schedules. My Cleo has dental issues so she is not as playful, but Zeus is a 3 year old brown tabby and he gets very vocal when he wants attention. If Milo is just sleeping in the laundry basket, that might be his way of being close to your scents since you are out more. It is not necessarily loneliness, just a change in environment. I would look at this routine building thread for some simple things you can do without spending hours. Maybe just a short session of feather wand play to wake him up a bit?

From a practical standpoint, if the over-grooming on Lucy's tail is new and persistent, that is a stress signal, but it is not always 'loneliness.' It can be anxiety about the new baby or the change in your schedule. I would check the vet behaviorist tips to see if there are specific environmental changes recommended before jumping to the idea that they need a friend. Adding a second cat is a big commitment and I saw in this thread that it often makes stress worse initially, not better. Focus on the individual needs of Milo and Lucy first. Milo's sleeping might be normal for a 3-year-old if he is tired, but keep an eye on his appetite.