Cats are territorial and independent creatures and don’t do well when they have to be rehomed. Cats, unlike dogs, can be left home alone for longer periods, with the proper amount of food and water. They will sleep as much as they can and, when they’re awake, will probably just eat.
I’ve left my cats home alone for up to 3 days and they did fine. When I returned, the smell inside was unbearable from the litter boxes, but the cats looked good, food was still available and the multiple bowls of water were not empty.
The option of leaving your cat alone is good if you don’t have the budget to hire a cat sitter or you don’t have an available friend or neighbor to come by and feed the feline but also offer fresh water. Let me walk you through a few tips & tricks, to keep your cat safe and happy, home alone.
Get a Cat Feeder
Firstly, you need to know that if you own more than one cat, you won’t be able to manage how much each individual eats. Leaving a big pile of food may be tempting for the cat, and it may cause digestive problems and end your vacation earlier.
We recommend using a special cat feeder. Whether you choose a normal or an automatic one, this will help you ensure each cat gets to eat enough. Many automatic cat feeders have the option of providing water, as well.
They can be programmed to open at a specific time of day and offer a certain amount of kibbles. Some can also be used for wet cat food, using an ice pack that comes underneath the feeding tray. However, these can keep food fresh for only up to 48 hours.
If you’ve got both time and talent, you can build your own DIY cat feeder, using plastic bottles.
Plenty of Fresh Water
You’ll have to make sure your cat has enough fresh water, especially in the summer. For one cat, use a bowl that can fit approximately 300 ml of water per day.
So, if you leave your home for about a week, you will need 2100 ml of water. We strongly recommend using a few smaller dishes, instead of a big one. This way, the water won’t easily contaminate with undesired germs from the cat’s saliva.
If you’re into DIY, you can even make your DIY cat fountain.
Use Multiple Litter Boxes
If you have just one cat and you plan on leaving for a longer period, use an extra litter box. Make sure you change the cat litter with fresh one just before you leave, adding more than usual.
This will help, especially if you don’t have an automatic cat feeder, because the cat will be tempted to eat more and thus, use the toilet more often. We recommend adding another litter box, to avoid the litter becoming too dirty.
Cats love cleanliness and might refuse to use a dirty toilet. This may cause health problems, especially urinary disorders because of urination refrainment.
If you have more than one cat, well, things might get tricky. It’s best to use two litter boxes for each cat you own. So, if you have two cats, use four litter boxes. It’s best to ask a friend to drop by and clean the cat’s droppings at least once every three days if you plan a longer vacation.
Safeguard the House
Close all windows and enclose the areas that might be unsafe for the feline. Their curiosity might get them into trouble, and you wouldn’t want any accidents to occur, especially when home alone. If you plan on leaving an open window, use an inside window screen that won’t allow the cat to get caught in the window and will prevent any escape attempts.
In the summer, leave the blinds closed, especially if your windows are facing the sun. Overheating can lead the cat to suffer from heatstroke.
If you plan on leaving in the winter, ensure you leave the heating on, to keep the feline comfortable.
Remove all small objects and house plants the cat might be interested in. Close the toilet seat covers, as some cats may be attracted to drinking water straight from the toilet. This is dangerous because of the detergents used and the risk of drowning.
Get rid of plastic bags, that cats may be attracted to. Felines love the noise they make and the instant hiding facility. Ensure you hide all of those, they come with a choking or asphyxiation hazard. Paper bags that have handles present the risk of strangling.
Remove toys that come with strings and electrical cords that the cat has access to, as the feline may get tangled in those.
If you own a backyard and your cat is used to going outside during the daytime, limit its access. It may be tempting to go out during the night. For example, during a thunderstorm, the cat may get scared and run away.
Prevent Boredom
Provide enough toys for your furry friend, to keep it entertained while you’re away. We recommend using more toys than usual or even buying new toys.
If you prefer, you may leave a radio on at a low volume, the noise may calm separation anxiety.
You can even leave a t-shirt you wore before, so your cat stays familiar with your scent and doesn’t feel lonely.
Set Up a Pet Camera
Modern times come with modern solutions. You may install a video camera, to see what the kitty’s up to or, if you prefer, to keep in touch with it.
Modern cameras have microphones included, so you can even talk to your feline friend. There are also “pet cameras” available, but from our experience, most are just branded “normal cameras” that work indoor.
While some of these “pet” cameras do have extra things like treat dispensers or interactive features, they come with a big price tag, and it’s not normally what we would recommend.
Just get a normal indoor security camera (with a microphone and the ability to chat with your pets; most of the current indoor cameras support these two features). The Tapo camera series is perfect for me for example (I have the C220 model; cheap and works great)
How Long Can You Leave Your Cat Alone?
The entire time you may leave your cat home alone shouldn’t exceed 72 hours (e.g. 3 days).
If you have a sitter or someone who can come in, check the cat’s health, and replenish food and water, you might be able to go more, even though we wouldn’t recommend it. Unless the sitter/family member/neighbor can spend a few hours with the animal every day and replenish the food and water at most every 2-3 days.
If your cat is younger than one year, we don’t recommend leaving it alone for more than 8 hours. Younger cats require more attention and care and aren’t as independent as adults.
The Vet Recommends
To prevent anxiety separation and even depression that may occur if your cat is left alone, you may help your cat overcome this period using catnip in the form of spray, plant, or toys.
To prevent unwanted odors, you can use litter box deodorizers. These tiny balls activate themselves when they come in contact with your cat’s urine, absorbing the foul scent.
