How Long Can You Leave a Cat at Home By Itself?
You can be the most loving pet owner, but still, it’s impossible to know everything about taking care of your cat. Therefore, if you have questions about how long you are able to leave your cat alone by themself, we understand it. The more important thing is that you ask those questions and get clarity on how to correctly care for your beloved animal.
Cats have a reputation of being fairly independent animals, so we can see why you might be wondering how long they are able to be left on their own. While dogs are known for needing more direct contact with their owner, cats usually have a reputation for the opposite. Some even prefer less interaction with their owners. It’s all about an individual cat’s wants or needs.
If you are pondering about leaving your cat at home by themself, there is a lot that you should first be made aware of. That’s because, while cats are independent creatures, they’re also domesticated pets, and it should never be forgotten that they are such.
Today, we are going to help you figure out when you can leave your cat home alone and when you cannot. We will begin by answering your questions about if you can leave your cat home by themself while you are at work or overnight.
After we talk about that, we will share how your cat’s age actually can make a difference as to how long they can be solo for. Later, we will share some things that you can do to help keep your cat entertained while you leave them home alone.
Being a pet parent can be hard and demanding, and there will be times that you might be unsure of how to properly care for your pet. But we promise that with some practice and willingness to learn, you’ll do the right thing for your pet every time.
Am I Able To Leave My Cat Home By Themself While I’m at Work?
If you have a cat and not a kitten, then yes! It is perfectly fine to leave your cat home by themself during the day while you are at work. We want to point out that we emphasize that this is okay for cats, not kittens (but more information on that later).
Let’s face it: one of the reasons that you probably decided to get a cat instead of a dog was because of the cat’s significantly lower maintenance levels. Of course, you still have to put in plenty of effort when it comes to taking care of your cat, but when was the last time you saw someone taking a cat out for a walk on a leash? Therefore, it’s fine to leave an adult cat alone for somewhere between eight to 12 hours.
One of the reasons that this is permissible is because cats are able to defecate and urinate inside of the house. They don’t require several walks throughout the day like dogs do, which means that they are much more independent.
Cats are generally content being alone for eight to 12-hour spans of time. Nevertheless, it is totally possible that your cat companion will grow bored and lonely in that window of time–or even during a period of time that is significantly briefer. We will share some ways that you can ensure that your cat doesn’t get bored later. Trust us–this could make a huge difference for your pet.
Am I Able To Leave My Cat Home By Themself Overnight?
This is a tricky question to answer, and really, it comes down to what you are comfortable with. Generally speaking, vets do say that it is alright to leave your pet cat by themself for up to 24 hours at a time. Of course, that doesn’t mean it is ideal or that one should make a habit of it. In addition, there are some things that you need to do before you head out of your house and leave your cat alone for 24 hours.
You should ensure that your pet has access to a clean, fresh litter box. In addition, you will need to refresh their water and give them a full, complete meal before you leave. If you complete all of these steps, you will find that they should be alright to stay alone for a day. Any amount of time longer than that, however, is really pushing your luck and shouldn’t be done.
Pet Sitters
If you need to leave your cat alone for more than one night, which happens, you will need to enlist some help. You can ask a family member, friend, or pet sitter to take care of your pet while you are unavailable.
Whoever is able to help will have to complete several chores to ensure your cat stays happy and healthy until your return. They will need to visit with your cat, refresh their water, provide your pet with new food, and scoop out their litter box.
Of course, your pet sitter might find that your cat is standoffish since they are not as familiar with them as they are with you. That’s alright: The important thing is that they are there, check in to ensure your cat is okay, and give them new food, water, and take care of the litter box.
Really, the most worrisome thing that could happen is that your cat could suddenly fall ill or get injured. Think about the mischief your cat can get into when they’re home with you; they can get into things they are not supposed to.
In addition, a sudden illness could become extremely serious if no one is there to help. That’s why having someone to check on your pet if you are going to be gone for more than 24 hours is absolutely crucial.
Here’s How Your Cat’s Age Makes a Difference
If you have a kitten or senior cat, you have a shorter period of time that you are able to leave your pet home alone without you. This is because young and old cats are more vulnerable creatures; therefore, they might need extra attention.
Kittens that are between the ages of three and six months old usually need to be fed approximately three times per day. This calculates to every four to six hours, roughly. Therefore, someone should be home with them and not leave them hungry.
In addition to this, kittens have a habit of getting themselves into mischief. They’re curious by nature and could potentially hurt themselves by mistake or eat something that they were not supposed to while you’re not present.
Of course, you can do your best by setting them up in a kitten-proof room. However, your best bet is to have a trusted adult check in on them. You should also never leave them alone overnight. It’s not a wise idea in case they need help.
Similarly, you should never leave an older senior cat alone overnight. This is because they are extremely sensitive to changes in routines. Stress can even make your older cat feel ill. They also might require more feedings, medication, or specialized care.
Help Your Cat Stay Entertained While They’re Home Alone
In the event that your cat has to be home alone for more than just a few hours, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your beloved cat does not get bored and stays entertained.
The first thing that you should be sure to do is to feed them shortly before you exit your home. Make sure to refill their water bowl with fresh, new water. Also, remember to scoop their litter box. Remembering to take care of these crucial things will set your cat up for success when you are out and about.
Of course, you will also want to take some steps to entertain your cat. One of the simplest ways to make your cat’s time alone easier is to provide them with toys that they can use to pass the time.
If you’re wondering what toys are suitable for cats to play with alone, we can answer that question for you. You’re going to want to provide them with crinkle/crackle balls, catnip mice, and fluffy balls, too.
Another suggestion is to provide them with some television. We suggest that you put on a channel with nature noises; this could be relaxing and also entertaining. Lastly, if you have found that your cat is mischievous or curious, you’d be better off setting up a cat-safe room. This should have all of their essentials: food, water, toys, and a litterbox.
Home Alone
If you’re unsure about leaving your cat home alone for any amount of time, you can always reach out to a trusted veterinarian and get their insight. Also, you can never go wrong hiring a pet sitter. Your cat might not look excited to see you when you get back, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love you!
SOURCES:
New research shows why cats are more independent | Phys.org
Home Alone: How Long Can Cats Be Left Unattended? | VetStreet
Cat owners have to stop their pets getting into trouble 1,350 times a year | The Independent
Why Your Cat Is Ignoring You | Pet MD
