We often imagine cats as independent animals, solitary by nature. However, numerous studies prove that cats, even strays, experience loneliness, anxiety, and a lack of social connection . When left to their own devices, without stable human or animal interaction, their emotional state deteriorates… and so does their physical health.
Here are 5 key facts that show that loneliness is a real suffering for stray cats, and how a simple human gesture can remedy it.
1. The cat is not a solitary animal by choice
Even though cats can live alone, they are fundamentally social animals:
- He is looking for shared territories
- He forms bonds with other cats and with humans
- It can develop an emotional attachment (even as a stray cat)
According to a study from the University of Lincoln, cats show emotional reactions comparable to those of humans in the face of a lack of social contact.
Prolonged solitude causes stress, withdrawal, and destructive behaviors.
2. The stress of loneliness reduces their life expectancy
A stressed cat chronically secretes cortisol, which causes:
- A decrease in immunity
- An increased risk of disease
- General fatigue
An isolated stray cat is up to 3 times more vulnerable to infections than a cat living in a colony or in contact with humans.
3. Stray cats actively seek human contact
When a stray cat returns to a house every day, rubs against a door, or meows softly, it's not just asking for food:
- He is looking for a point of reference
- He is trying to re-establish a secure connection
- It expresses a need for belonging
Installing a Miawi shelter near your home allows your cat to find a stable space, which greatly reduces its anxiety.
4. Loneliness can cause behavioral problems
Stray cats deprived of interaction can develop:
- Aggressive behavior towards other animals
- Continuous meows of distress
- Self-harm or lack of grooming
Providing a cat with shelter and food stabilizes its behavior and restores its emotional balance.
5. A shelter is not just a physical refuge… it is an emotional refuge
An outdoor shelter doesn't just provide a roof. It creates:
- A sense of territory
- A security zone
- A social base (several cats can live together peacefully)
"A cat with a secure shelter exhibits 60% fewer stress-related behaviors."
Veterinary behavioral study, 2022
Conclusion: protecting a cat is also protecting your heart
Stray cats don't just suffer from cold or hunger. They also suffer from loneliness .
By offering them a Miawi space, we provide them with much more than shelter: we give them back a sense of belonging, security and emotional calm.
At Miawi, we believe that every cat deserves a place to feel at home… even if it doesn’t have a human home.
A roof protects their bodies. Care protects their souls.
