Having one or more cats at home is delightful, but this joy comes with a lot of responsibility and a number of limitations. In addition to providing food, a litter box, and treatments, a cat needs a lot of attention from its owners. Therefore, it’s good to know how long you can leave your cat alone at home and what to consider when you’re away at work or on vacation.
Of course, this introduction is not to discourage you from adopting a cat, but to raise awareness of the less pleasant aspects and responsibilities that you need to be aware of when you decide to have a cat at home.
I've heard many people say that cats are independent and can manage on their own if they have water and food. Even worse, it is said that a cat can survive without problems if left 10 days without water and food, so it wouldn't be a problem to leave them alone at home for a long time. Totally wrong!
How Long Can You Leave Your Cat Alone at Home?
Leaving a cat alone at home depends on several factors, including the cat's age, health, temperament, and how well the house is prepared for your absence. In a previous article, we wrote about the dangers a cat faces when left alone at home, but a very important aspect is the cat's age.
Here’s how long you can leave your cat alone at home based on their age:
Kittens (under 4 months)
Kittens should not be left alone for more than 2-4 hours as they need frequent feeding, supervision and socialization.
Young cats (4-6 months)
Young cats can be left alone at home for up to 4-6 hours. They are more independent but still require attention and regular feeding. In addition, they are also very energetic and require close supervision. It is the age when the cat plays, develops its predatory skills and explores every corner of the house.
Adult cats (6 months and older)
You can leave the cat alone at home for a longer time when it reaches adulthood. Healthy adult cats can be left alone for 24-48 hours, provided they have access to food, fresh water and a clean litter box.
If you are going away for a longer period of time, it would be a good idea to arrange for someone to come check on the cat daily and stay with it for at least 30 minutes. It is preferable that that person is known to the cat.
For added security, when you are away from home for more than a day, it is good to have video surveillance cameras installed and a close person who could reach the cat in a short time.
Older cats or cats with health problems
If you have older or sick cats, it is not recommended that they be left alone. These cats may require special care, attention, and should not be left alone for long periods. If you really need to leave the cat alone, video surveillance is recommended and have someone check on them daily or be able to arrive at a very short notice.
In conclusion, if you are wondering how long you can leave your cat alone at home, the answer varies depending on the age and health of the cat. The recommendation is that a cat should not be left alone at home for more than 48 hours.
You also need to take into account the preparation of the home before you leave home and leave the cat alone for a while. Give the cat fresh water in several bowls, enough food, the litter box (litter box) is clean, remove all toys and objects with which the cat could have an accident.
Even though cats are generally independent animals, they need attention and care to stay happy and healthy.
