How long can you leave a cat alone at home

Since most cats sleep between 13 and 18 hours a day, owners usually have no problem leaving their furry friend at home alone while leaving for work. However, if a kitten or an older cat remains in the house, then a few extra precautions must be taken. How long can you leave a cat alone? When leaving a pet alone, there are a few rules to keep in mind in order to preserve her physical and emotional health.

Leave the cat for a while: what she needs

This will depend on the nature of the cat and the relationship with it. If the pet has just arrived in the house, it will need to spend some time with the owner to find out the schedule, fit into the daily routine and understand what behavior is appropriate in the house. PAWS notes that any interactions between the new cat and other pets should be monitored during the first few weeks to ensure furry friends are successfully acclimating to the new family member. This is also a crucial time to bond with your pet and form a relationship between you.

Cats that have been living in a house for several months or even years can stay at home alone for 8-10 hours without problems. At the same time, there is still a chance that they will get bored, feel lonely or begin to experience stress. If a cat is bored at home, excessive washing or urinating past the litter box, a change in eating habits or going to the toilet can suggest this.

Cats, like all other animals, need constant access to food and fresh water. Any pet left alone at home will need a supply of food and water, as well as a clean litter box. In addition to the basic necessities, the cat will certainly appreciate safe entertainment, such as jingling toys, a cat tree that you can climb.

Is it possible to leave a cat if she is too young or old

When leaving a pet at home alone, it is necessary to take into account its age. Kittens are curious creatures that can endanger themselves by scratching, touching, dropping, or swallowing dangerous objects such as wobbly vases or poisonous houseplants. If it is necessary to leave the kitten at home alone, The Nest recommends securing one of the rooms for him and placing bowls of food and fresh water, a tray and toys in it.

If the pet has to spend more than 12 hours alone, it is better to ask someone to stop by to check on him. Let this person see how much food he has left and change his water to fresh water. If the kitten has access to more than one room, the person who came to check on it should walk around the house to make sure that the kitten is not stuck in any cracks and is not locked in one of the rooms or in the closet.

Older cats are less likely to get into trouble, but they have more difficulty interacting with their environment. If the owners left the cat alone for a day in the summer, you need to make sure that he has a cool place to rest and access to several water bowls in different places. Since older cats are more susceptible to disease, you can find a zookeeper who can visit the cat at least once a day. This measure will help if the owners plan to leave the cat for the duration of the holiday.

A bored cat: how schedule changes affect pets

It is important to pay attention to the behavior of the cat in the process of making changes to the household routine. For example, when children return to school after the holidays, some cats enjoy extra time alone, while others may begin to experience separation anxiety. You can buy new toys and scratching posts, leave the radio on as a soothing background noise, or get another pet to keep your cat company. In the latter case, you will have to spend one to two weeks at home to observe the communication between the pets before leaving them alone for a long time.

Even the most sophisticated automatic feeders and water dispensers will not replace a cat’s communication with a person. The pet needs attention and physical activity, which he receives in the process of interacting with people. This requires a zoo nanny or someone from the household who will play with a pet if the owners are absent for a long time.

Any owner can be a little worried about leaving a pet alone. But if you plan everything in advance, you can provide the cat with the necessary freedom in the house during his absence and at the same time be sure that he is completely safe and happy with life.

See also:

What Cats Do When Their Owners Are Away 10 Ways to Help Your Cat Settle in a New Home Leaving Your Cat Alone at Home How to Make Your Home Safe for Your Cat How to Make Your Home a Fun and Pleasant Place