How Long Can You Leave a Cat Alone?

There’s a wide range of differing opinions and voices online with various timeframes ranging from just a few hours to a few days. The numbers you see pop up over and over again though are between 12 and 24 hours. This is assuming that your cat is fit and healthy. Many older cats or cats who need medication will need checking on much more frequently, so it really does depend on the individual cat.

An important consideration of leaving your feline friend is their individual personality. How are they when they’re left for just a few hours? Some independent cats won’t even blink if you’re out for hours on end, whilst others might find it a little scary if they’re not used to being left.

Kittens should not be left for as long as adult cats. Because they’re still growing, they need regular nutrition to stay healthy and continue thriving. Being deprived of this much-needed care and nourishment for anything over four hours can be detrimental to their health while they’re still growing. You should avoid leaving them for longer periods or leave them with someone so they don’t get too worried or miss a meal.

Kittens are mischievous little rascals and get bored much faster than adult cats. It’s harder to keep them out of trouble when you’re away for longer periods.

Sometimes, leaving your cat alone is unavoidable. So when you do have to, you should make it as easy for them as possible by making sure they have everything they need and plenty of things to keep them busy.

One of the main reasons you shouldn’t leave cats for longer than 24 hours is that they need to have access to the food they need. If your moggy is on a wet diet, this will only be able to be left out for a few hours before bacteria gets to it and makes it hazardous to their health. Dry food can be left out for 12 hours so if they’re on a mixture of both, you can leave a small amount of wet with the rest dry.

Once dry food starts to spoil, its nutritional value will drop drastically so you’ll need to provide fresh food for them as soon as you get home if you’re leaving them for a longer period. Alternatively, someone could change their food to ensure they always have a supply of fresh, nutritious food.

Water needs to be made available to your feline friend at all times and the bowl should be washed out, with fresh water added on a daily basis. If you’re out for a more extended period of time, be sure to wash their bowl and provide fresh water just before you leave.

As ever, your moggy’s environment should be free from any hazards. However, this becomes even more important when they are home alone. Any cleaning products, medication, wires, human food or anything that could become a hazard needs to be put well out of reach.

Your cat might not bother with certain things while you’re home to keep them company but when you go out they’re more likely to feel the need to find things to do to occupy themselves.

Instead of leaving them to find their own fun and get into trouble, you should give them lots of options to investigate and play with. Consider treating them to something new that will guarantee to hold their attention! If your moggy isn’t a grazer and you suspect they’ll eat all their food in one go, you can put some dry food in an activity feeder so they have to work to get it out. The Catit Treat Ball Pink is great for stretching out their mealtimes so they don’t wolf down their food and then have nothing left to occupy them for the rest of the day.

A catnip toy like the KONG Kickeroo Catnip Cat Toy will draw any cat over thanks to the tantalising smell of cat nip! The crinkle material inside the soft, plush fabric promises endless play. If your four-legged friend is the sort to try and claim every carrier bag you bring home, you can even give them their very own cat safe bag that they can play with when you’re out of the house. The Zoon Floating Flamingo Crinkle Bag Cat Toy is ideal for cats who have a thing for bags!

Before you leave the house, make sure their litter tray is sparking clean even if it’s not due it's weekly clean. If you’ll be away for the day and not have the chance to spot clean, making sure it’s as clean as a whistle before you leave the house will keep it fresher for longer.

If their litter tray is already a little dirty before you even leave the house, they may decide to find a better place to do their business if you’re not careful.

When you leave your cat, it can result in your cat feeling a little out of sorts, especially if they’re used to having you around. Giving them lots of safe places to hide in if they get a little insecure can make all the difference. A cat bed that gives ample shelter is ideal like the Zoon Floating Flamingo Cat Igloo Cat Bed as they will feel nice and safe inside. If they like to be off the ground, make sure they have a cat tree like the Rufus & Rosie Aire Cat Scratcher which can help them feel safe by letting them keep a lookout.

If your cat is likely to hide away and find any time apart stressful, plugging in a Feliway Pheromone Diffuser can help to comfort them when you aren’t home too.

If you ever need to leave your cats longer than 24 hours then you will need to look into your options. Having someone who your cat knows come and stay with them can be really beneficial as it won’t cause too much upset and offer familiarity. You can also hire house sitters when you’re gone or arrange a stay in a cattery so you know they’re getting the care they need.

For everything you need to keep your feline friend occupied in your absence and all of your other kitten and cat necessities, take a look in store and online.