Excessive sleeping and meowing after returning home from boarding?

Hi there!

I recently boarded my two-year-old boy, Jimmy. It was his first time being in a "cat hotel" (as they called it). I picked him up on Weds and on the way home, he was meowing non-stop in his pet carrier and trying to escape, something he never does.

When we got home, it was more of the same: excessive meowing, and he even darted out the front door for the first time ever and just kept running out into the street (again, something he's never done!). The meows are different too... deeper and more urgent sounding and I feel like he stares straight into my soul when he does it! 

And now, in addition to the meowing, he's acting very clingy (follows me everywhere and is super cuddly (I'm not complaining about that one!)) and he's also been asleep for the majority of the past few days. I picked him up on Weds and now it's Saturday. He wakes up every so often just to come find me and fall asleep next to me. He doesn't seem to be eating as much as he used to either, and I thought the felt like maybe he'd lost weight while he was at the boarding facility. Also possibly noteworthy: his fur is kinda separated and fluffed and not sleek like it usually is.

Anyways, maybe I'm being overly paranoid, but ever since we brought him home he's just acting different. All the things I mentioned above stick out to me since they aren't things he did before.

I plan on taking him to the vet, but I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced anything like this? Is it just a temporary behavioral change from being stressed or might he be ill?

Thanks in advance for any/all help!

Lindsay

How long was he boarded for?

Was it the first time you've boarded him?

If it was the first time you've boarded him, and if it was for more than a day or two, he may be feeling separation anxiety.  He will most likely be very clingy and demanding for a while until he is satisfied that you are not going to leave him in a strange place again.  Could be a few days, could be a few weeks.  Just give him plenty of cuddles and reassurances.

Thanks for your response!

He was boarded for a week and it was the first time he's ever been boarded (though not the first time I've left him for a trip, but usually my mom watches him at her house).

I'd never considered separation anxiety, but that does make sense given how clingy he is. I will look into and speak to his vet about it.

Thanks again,
Lindsay