Cats are notoriously independent creatures, but while they may not always act like it, they thrive off of their owner's love and attention. Here, our Cumming vets explain how long you can leave your cat at home alone and how to keep them contented while you're away.
Do Cats Get Lonely?
Like people, cats have a diverse range of personalities. While some cats may be consistently aloof and independent, others are rather attached to their owners and prefer to be with them than without.
Because of this, it's important to know that some cats simply adjust to alone time better than others. That being said, there are some factors to consider and things you can try at home to make this process more successful.
Age Matters When Leaving Your Cat Alone
Kittens and cats in their senior years tend to be more vulnerable and need more attention. Below are some key things to keep in mind if you have a kitten or senior cat and are leaving them at home alone for extended periods of time.
Kittens
Kittens typically need to be fed 3 or 4 times a day until they are about 6 months old, they also tend to get into mischief when left unsupervised. Kittens under 4 months old should not be left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. If you know that your lifestyle means that your cat will need to get used to time alone, begin training your kitten by gradually increasing the amount of time you are out of the house. Speak to your vet for instruction on how best to get your kitten used to being left alone.
Senior Cats
Older cats can be very sensitive to routines, which means that changes to their normal day can be stressful for them to handle. Stress can lead to an increased risk of health conditions and tummy issues. It's also common for senior cats to require extra feedings or medication during the day. For these reasons, it may not be a good idea to leave your senior cat alone overnight. That said, if your older cat is accustomed to being left alone for longer periods of time, having someone visit your house twice a day to check on your senior cat may be fine.
Your vet knows your senior cat best, speak to your vet about how long they believe your cat can safely be left alone.
Adult Cats
Under some circumstances, it may be ok to leave your healthy, adult cat alone for 24-48 hours. Of course, this will depend upon a number of factors including your cat's personality, your living conditions, and whether they are used to spending time alone. If your cat is going to be left on their own for a day or two be sure that your home's temperature isn't too hot or too cold, that there is enough (dry) food left out for your cat to eat while you're away, and that there is plenty clean drinking water! It's also a good idea to make sure that the litter box is completely clean before you leave.
General Tips for Leaving Your Cat Alone
Here are a few helpful tips from our Cumming veterinarians that you can try for your cat while you're away from home.
- Speak to your vet to find out if they have any concerns about your cat being left alone. Your vet knows your cat's health concerns and is in the best position to give you advice on your cat's wellbeing.
- We strongly recommend that you have someone check on your kitty once or twice a day while you are gone, to ensure that your kitty is safe and has enough food and water for the duration of your absence.
- Check the weather and be sure that your thermostat is set so that your home will remain at a comfortable temperature while you're away.
- Provide your cat with enough food for the duration of your time away. You may want to invest in an automated pet feeder to ration the food and keep it fresher.
- Ensure that your cat has plenty of clean water in a bowl that will not tip over and spill. Cat water fountains are available from pet stores. These handy devices can help to help your cat's water fresher and cleaner while you're gone.
- If your cat is particularly fussy about their litter box you may want to leave 2 fresh clean boxes of litter for them.
- Consider leaving a radio or tv on so that your cat hears voices while you are away. It may help to relieve your cat's boredom.
- Take your cat to a local pet boarding facility. Cat boarding facilities can offer your kitty a clean and bright place to stay where they will be well cared for, and provided with plenty of human interaction.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.