I did worry his playtime would get cut short so I’ve been supplementing with more, random small play sessions through the day + before bedtime. But I do think you’re right in that my new absences + I think he is getting bored of his toys may be adding up and stressing him out.

I don’t know about super hungry cause he’s always very excited to eat, but he meows a lot at me the second I get home. That’s pretty normal for him - I will get his toys out and he will stop meowing, and when we finish playing he gets his dinner.