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Accidents – While young cats are still capable of using a litter box, you may find a few unwanted presents waiting for you if you leave your kitten alone for too long. Whether due to boredom or emotional issues, kittens are less inclined to use their litter box when left alone for an extended period. If you need to be away from home for longer than 24 hours, arrange for a friend, neighbor, family member, or pet sitter to look after your cat, or bring your cat to a boarding facility. In general, it is reasonable to leave your cat alone for a maximum of 12 to 24 hours, though kittens and cats with medical conditions should be checked on more frequently.
Having a friend or a family member over will also give you peace of mind and reduce the cost of hiring a pet sitter. Cats need a steady supply of food and fresh water just like any animal, so any pet left alone will need access to both, as well as a clean litter box. In addition to these basics, your kitty will appreciate safe ways to amuse herself like jingle toys, a cat tree to perch on or even a rustling paper bag. Our dogs love the company of their human family, but sometimes we need to leave the house without them.
Options for Caring For Your Cat While You’re Away
Generally speaking, younger, unspayed or neutered cats are more likely to roam and get into mischief when left on their own. Older, spayed or neutered cats are more likely to be content staying in one place and sleeping. Along with, You shouldn’t leave your cat home alone for more than 2-3 days at a time.
Even though they may play it cool, they will notice you’re gone and they will miss your attention. If your cat starts meowing loudly when you leave the room, that’s one sign they miss you. Have a play session and make any arrangements before you leave. If somebody will be dropping by to check on your pet, inform them of the feeding schedule, your cat’s habits, and health condition.
Can I Leave My Cat Home Alone for a Week?
If you have to leave them alone for longer than that, make sure you provide them with plenty of toys and stimulation to keep them occupied. How long you can leave a kitten unsupervised will depend on a few factors such as their age, health, and temperament. When a cat is experiencing separation anxiety, it may be trying to self-soothe by performing these behaviors.
If you've just adopted a new kitty, she will need time with you at home to learn your schedule, get into a daily routine and know what behaviors are appropriate in your home. PAWS notes that you should supervise any interactions with other household pets during the first few weeks with a new cat to make sure your fur family is adjusting to the addition. The first few weeks are also a crucial time for you and your cat to bond and develop a relationship. As home-loving, territorial animals, if their usual routine changes, your cat may well feel stressed and anxious.
The answer to this important cat welfare question may surprise you.
Full-spectrum CBD capsules can be mixed in with your cat’s food to provide a multitude of calming benefits and give your cat a mood boost for the long nights without you. If you don't have friends, relatives or neighbors who can help, hire a pet sitter to come to your home. PetsitUSA.com, Petsitters.org and Petsit.com all offer searchable listings, or simply ask friends, co-workers, or your veterinarian for recommendations (and check references!).
If you’re gone for a short trip and your cat is comfortable staying at home, a friend or neighbor may be the best option. If you’re going to be gone for a longer period of time, or if your cat is not comfortable staying home alone, a professional pet-sitter or boarding facility may be a better option. Cats are independent animals and can take care of themselves. However, you should provide them with food and water before you leave so they have everything they need. Based on the information above, it is possible that your cat may experience some sadness or anxiety if you leave for a week.
It has also been shown that when cats are alone for longer periods they purr more on their owner’s return and initiate more social contact, indicating they do miss us after all. Beware of chemicals, sharp objects, cables, plants, plastic items, and small objects that the kitten could swallow. Minimize the time alone for your kitten or get a pet sitter to drop by. Whenever you need to leave your cat alone for more than 24 hours, you should have somebody checking in on them. Once you have covered the basics, make sure your kitty has enough stimuli, so your pet doesn’t get bored.
This could be a litter box or even an outdoor area to dig and bury their waste. If you have more than one cat, they can help keep each other occupied. For example, an older cat may act as the “guard” of the house when your pet is away. Some are outgoing and loves attention, while others prefer to keep to themselves. They are accustomed to stalking as a solitary hunter and moving from place to place as they please.
If a litter box is too crowded, sometimes cats will choose to do their business elsewhere. Before you leave, provide a new toy or a new scratcher or post for your cat to play with. Introducing a new toy, or even a food puzzle, boosts mental stimulation and playtime, so they won’t get bored as easily . Your cat will be more comfortable staying at home, as long as there’s someone to keep them company and healthy . As far as we could tell, just having someone come provide Yoda what he needed wasn’t enough. And even having someone present in the house every day wasn’t enough either.
People need to come by to leave food for your cat at least once a day, and these people should also clean the litter tray. Before you leave for your well-deserved weekend trip, make sure that your cat's litter box is clean. If it is clean, then your cat will be more likely to use it, and less likely to make a mess elsewhere in the house. It might surprise you, considering aloof behavior is often attributed to your feline friend, but your cat is actually rather attached to you. As such, while your cat isn't going to get as desperately upset as a dog will, it will get lonely and it will miss you if it is left alone for too long. In this cat guide, TAG24 dives into whether cats get lonely when you go on vacation and, if so, how long you can safely leave them at home.
Cats can get bored and lonely without companionship from their owners and without playtime/mental stimulation. If you cannot guarantee that the person you have chosen to look after your kitty can come every day, you might be better off hiring a cat-sitter or, perhaps, sending your cat to the kennel. Make sure that visits are more than just taking care of logistics, and that these humans also provide pats and affection.
If you can’t be there with your cat, make sure they have toys and companionship. In addition to a place to go to the bathroom, your pet will also need a place to rest. If you are not going to be home, your cat will need a place to go to the bathroom. Likewise, you will also want to make sure that the food is clean. Log in to your pet's patient account to book an appointment, refill a prescription, or access your pet's medical records. They are so gentle with your animals and always treat you and your pet with respect.
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