A family cat was hospitalized due to stress after his owner moved away for university, touching the hearts of internet users.
A TikTok video posted Friday by user @minitrr shows the cat receiving care at a veterinarian’s clinic as he recovers from the emotional strain of losing his close companion—his owner’s sister.
The owner wrote in the caption, “Soulmated so hard he was hospitalized from the stress of being away from me after I moved to uni. I paid thousands in vet bills to keep him with me.” She added, “He’s alive—I just love him a lot.”
Dr. Catherine Swinsky, associate veterinarian at a nonprofit animal shelter in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and member of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, told Newsweek that cats separated from their owners can show physical signs of emotional distress.
“Cats with separation anxiety may show inappropriate urination or defecation, excessive meowing, destructiveness, or over-grooming,” Swinsky explained.
She said artificial pheromones, similar to those released by mother cats, can help calm anxious cats. These are available as sprays, diffusers, or collars. Mental stimulation through food puzzles or hunting games can also ease anxiety. In some cases, cats may need medication prescribed by a vet.
“Cats with separation anxiety often soil the bed. I recommend placing a litter box close to your bed to give them a better option. I call this the ‘emotional support litter box’ for my cat,” Swinsky added.
The TikTok user later updated viewers that she cannot keep her cat at university due to pet restrictions. However, she visits him every weekend, and he is improving.
The video quickly went viral, earning nearly 1 million views and over 186,000 likes.
One user, Kyla, commented, “Mine died a month after I left for uni. I ended up dropping out. My biggest regret.” Another user, Channelinglights4444, shared, “I went to Europe for 2.5 weeks while a friend looked after him half days. He came back looking like he’d fought for his life, with hair falling out. Never again.”
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