Felines are known as self-sufficient animals capable of taking care of themselves. Even though they do need less attention than other types of pets like dogs, it doesn't mean that you can leave them alone for long periods of time. At mybestie.gr, we believe that responsible pet ownership requires you to understand your pet's needs and prepare yourself accordingly before leaving your feline friend for some time.

Can cats stay home alone?

The short answer is: YES, but not always.

Unlike dogs, cats are more independent creatures. They spend much of their lives asleep, prefer quiet surroundings, and can tolerate loneliness well if it's short-term. Nevertheless, not all cats can stay home alone equally well. Their age, health state, behavior, eating habits, and daily routine all affect their ability to tolerate being alone. You need to keep in mind that a cat's ability to live alone does not mean that she will thrive in such environment.

How much is too much?

An average adult cat can generally stay alone at home for several hours without any problem. In case you are going to be absent from home for one day, your pet still must have access to drinking water, enough food, clean litter tray and a safe place to be. After 24 hours, however, many things can happen that will make you worry. Cats can spill their water bowls, automated feeders can stop working, litter trays can be dirty, various health problems can appear that will not be noticed in time. And even those cats which seem independent and comfortable with being alone, can feel stressed or nervous being left alone.

Therefore, rather than wondering how long is the maximum time for leaving a cat alone, it is better to think about what makes them more comfortable and well.

Why extra food is not always enough

Owners tend to think that providing extra food and water will solve the problem. It might help for a while but cannot substitute human presence. The bowl cannot tell when you cat stops eating. The feeder will not be able to detect if your pet experiences vomiting, problems with urination, gets injured, or suddenly falls ill. Nor can anything replace your pet's need for affection, interaction, and comfort in case your pet becomes stressed. Cats are known for being skilled in concealing their suffering and discomfort, which makes welfare checks even more necessary.

Extra care for young and old cats

It is absolutely unacceptable to leave kittens alone because they are growing fast and they need lots of feeding, supervision, and interaction with people. Older cats also require extra care. When cats get older, they become more prone to health problems that should be detected timely. Even small changes in their behavior or appetite can indicate potential health issue. Regular visits should be made on a daily basis in case of kittens as well as elder cats whenever there is travel planned for the owner.

A better alternative when you are going away

If you plan to go away on vacation, a business trip or an active weekend, making arrangements for regular visits by a reputable cat sitter will be the best course of action. Unlike other cat care options, cat sitting enables your cat to stay at the comfort of its own place where everything is familiar to it. Your cat sitter will ensure that food and water are replenished, litter tray cleaned, your cat is taken out for some time and if anything is out of place. Cat owners can get in touch with qualified and trusted cat sitters through mybestie.gr.

Sure, cats are considered independent creatures, but they need our help to maintain their state of good health. While many healthy adults can feel comfortable when left alone for several hours, more time spent alone requires proper organization and care.

Rather than wondering about how much time your cat can be left alone, you should ask yourself how to make sure that your cat feels safe and comfortable when you are not around.