How Long Can You Leave Your Cat Alone?
Cats may be great at caring for themselves, but let’s not confuse independence with solitude. Cats like to interact with each other and people. They, like most living creatures, need some level of interaction and socialization to feel satisfied. The same goes for us humans, and when we have plans that take us away from the home, how long can or should we leave our cats alone?
Kittens Need More… Everything
If you’ve raised a kitten, you know how high maintenance they can be. Near constant supervision is required to make sure they don’t hurt themselves or the house.
While we understand some people have busy lives, kittens really shouldn’t be left alone for more than 2-3 hours depending on the cat. Some may just fall asleep and wake up when you return, but others may feel like exploring, and at such a young age, it can be risky to leave them to their own devices for more than a few hours.
When your kitten reaches three to four months of age, depending on their personality, they are likely able to spend a little more time alone than when they were younger, but they still need regular supervision and someone to retreat to when exploring becomes overwhelming. At this age, between 3-5 hours are likely okay.
Young Adult Cats
When your cat is between six months and a year of age, they can be left alone for longer periods. 8 hours are likely no problem for a cat this age.
If your cat has a problem being left alone, you will likely notice. They struggle in different ways, but usually, there are some clues. This is often referred to as separation anxiety, and it usually is a product of an animal who hasn’t had much experience away from their humans.
If you were glued to your cat while it was young, there is a chance it might not understand what is going on when you are not home. This, paired with not understanding how to read time, can create a situation where your cat starts to stress out or panic. When this happens, you will likely see some symptoms of the following:
Restlessness
Destructive behaviour
Doing their business outside the litter box
Reduced appetite
Hiding
Excessive scratching
Weight loss
And more
Healthy Adult Cats
Adult cats can usually be left on their own for up to 12 hours, but many of them would much rather spend time with their people. Most adult cats have been around the block, they have recognized the patterns of living with humans, and they have a firm grip on who they are. In many cases, when you leave, they get to sleep or work on their projects around the house.
Similarly to young adult cats, older cats are susceptible to the symptoms of separation anxiety, so if you are spending lots of time away from home, pay close attention to them when you return.
Ideal Situation: Don’t Leave Them Alone
It’s easy to say, “Don’t leave your cats alone,” but not always feasible. The good news is you can get a sitter! If you have friends or family who can stop by to feed and play with your cats while you are out, they will be all the better for it. Not only would it mean they aren’t left alone all day, but they also get to socialize with humans who live outside the house. Some cats don’t end up meeting a lot of people, so increased interaction with new people can go a long way in developing your cat's social skills.
Another consideration is adding another cat to your home. A pair of cats can keep each other company and provide mental stimulation throughout the day. This is an ideal outcome as it also helps them to socialize with other cats and get used to seeing and being around them.
Lastly, before leaving for a longer period of time, putting cat TV videos on your TV or computer (videos designed and built to entertain cats), it can take the edge of their boredom or feelings of separation.