Due to our busy lifestyles, we'll often have to leave our beloved cat alone. While our furry friends can be without their family for several hours or even days, it's crucial that we do everything possible to ensure their safety before we leave. safe and entertaining in our absence and that their physical and emotional well-being is not affected.
A cat living with a family, especially one that cares for it and dedicates as much time as possible to it, is a feline that doesn't like to be idle or feel ignored. Therefore, How to leave a cat alone without putting their safety or emotional stability at risk?
How long can a cat be left alone at home?
Although they have a reputation for being independent, cats need regular care and companionshipThey can tolerate solitude better than a dog, but that doesn't mean it's good for them to spend many hours isolated or to be left for several days without human supervision.
A cat's ability to be alone depends primarily on its age, health and character:
- Kittens up to 4 monthsThey need almost constant attention, frequent feedings, and supervision. They should not be left alone for more than a couple of hours.
- Young cats from 6 months oldThey usually tolerate absences of a working day if the environment is well prepared.
- Healthy adult catsThey can be left alone occasionally until 24h provided they have clean water, food and litter box, but it is not advisable to repeat this often.
When the absence lasts for more than a day, in addition to covering basic needs, it is essential that Someone go check that everything is in order, that the feeder or dispenser is working properly, and that the cat continues to eat and use its litter box normally.
What a cat feels when it is left alone
Cats can handle loneliness better than other animals, but they also develop a attachment bond with their human family. Many miss the routine of daily cuddles, games, and conversations.
When loneliness is excessive or very frequent, some cats may show stress or anxiety Signs such as insistent meowing, hiding more than usual, changes in appetite, or compulsive behaviors (excessive licking, destroying objects, scratching furniture more than normal, etc.) can help you determine if your pet is coping well with your absences or if they need extra attention. more companionship and stimulation.
Leave him some toys
So that you can be entertained, it is highly advisable to leave toys and, above all, food dispensers like the Kong, for example. The fact that it has to move to taste the treats will help it to distract yourself and exerciseSo there will come a time when he will be so tired that he will take a nap.
Besides the classic hunting toys, you can prepare a small entertainment circuit for when I'm alone:
- Interactive puzzle-type toys where you have to get food out with your paw.
- Vertical and horizontal scratchers to channel your need to scratch.
- Cardboard boxes with holes for him to explore and hide in.
- Rewards hidden in different safe corners to stimulate their exploratory instinct.
If your cat is left alone during the workday, you can also leave soft music playing or the television on at a low volume so it has a quiet moment. relaxing background noise that makes him feel less isolated.
Find someone to be with him
If we are going to be away for more than one day, it is very important that the cat continues to have daily contact with a trusted person. A family member or friend are the best options, but if they can't, we can ask a neighbor or someone who is dedicated to caring for cats when their family is on vacation.
Ideally, that person should at least spend once a day to check food and water, clean the litter box, and spend a few minutes playing and petting him. It's a good idea to leave him a written list of the... basic instructions: amount of food, approximate times, medication if any, and the veterinarian's phone number.
If you don't know anyone available, a good alternative is... professional caregivers Home visits or cat hotels are especially useful for cats that don't cope well with being alone. In that case, it's important to consider whether your feline friend gets very stressed when leaving home or if they adapt better to staying in their territory with daily visits.
Protect your cat
In addition to leaving food and water freely available, windows and doors need to be closed before we leave. A single carelessness could make the furry go away and get lost. Likewise, we have to make sure that the electrical appliances also have the door closed.
It's a good idea to calmly check the whole house to eliminate any possibilities dangers when we are not:
- Remove or store cleaning products, drugs, and toxic plants.
- Avoid loose or dangling cables that can be bitten or tangled.
- Do not leave open plastic bags or small objects that could be swallowed.
- Securely close balconies, terraces and any exterior exits that do not have a safety net.
If you're going to be away for more than a few hours, it can be very useful to install a Surveillance Camera connected to your mobile phone so you can observe what the cat is doing, check that it is moving normally and make sure that everything is still okay at home.
Give it to a partner
If we see that he really has a hard time when he is alone, if he scratches the furniture, he meows a lot and desperately, if we can afford it and we want a good idea it could be to have a second cat. They will keep each other company, they will have fun together and our absence will not make them so bad.. Of course, for them to become friends it is important to continue these tips.
Having two cats that get along well usually reduces the boredom and loneliness When we're not there, it doesn't eliminate the need for human visits if we're going to be away for several days. Both will still need fresh food, litter box cleaning, playtime, and supervision, so having a trusted caregiver will be just as important during long absences.
That way, we can leave him alone without having to worry. Or not too much at least :). Planning the absence By preparing the house in advance, offering stimulation, and having human help when necessary, it is possible for our cat to be left alone occasionally and continue to be a balanced, safe, and happy feline.