The first time I started to consider Bugsy suffered from separation anxiety, was one day when the cleaning lady said he kept crying and crying from the time I left until I came home... It was a quick trip, to my neighbor's house; I am not sure if I had gone longer he would have cried the entire time... I surely hope not!
What I know, is that every time I go out he runs for the window to say good bye, and he is always waiting for me when I come home... Actually, one of the best things about coming home is really finding the three little faces on the window waiting for their meowmy!
Sometimes it breaks my heart to leave, but it always melts my heart to come home...
Does Bugsy have Separation anxiety? I am not sure... Maybe some... But knowing Bugsy, Lucky and Hope have each other is a big comfort for me - I think pet parents should consider giving their pets a furry companion... There are some things we humans just can not do - staying around 24x7 is one of them. Another one is... well... being a cat! A cat will play chase, fight, groom, and hiss, and do several other things that we can't do - it is not our place. When I see them hanging out together on the window sill as a leave home, my heart is at ease knowing that each other's purr will comfort one another, and all the play, chase, and even the fight will serve to distract and entertain them in my absence.
Some say to ignore cat who suffer from separation anxiety for 15 minutes before leaving, and after returning home... During that time, and while you are away, making things interesting, with treats dispensing toys, treasure hunts, leaving a TV on, the "Cat Sitter" DVD, etc... I can't ignore Bugsy - there is no way I can come home an just pass by not giving him a kiss.... never - not happening...
So, IMO, the best solution, really is to give them the gift of a companion, and yes, I do believe in making their environment interesting - cat trees, shelf, window sills, all these things can give your kitty many many happy hours while you are away :)