Given the busy lives of cat and cat owners who have busy lives, it can be assumed that they have to leave their pets alone very often. Therefore, responsible owners have a quite logical question: how often and how long a cat can be alone, and what it does during the period of human absence.
In this article, we will try to explore interesting facts about the independent life of cats and cats, and answer common questions among owners of these animals.
Commonly known facts
Although cats are considered more independent of their owners than dogs, they can also suffer if left alone often and for long periods of time. Most are quite comfortable being left alone for up to 8 hours. In extreme cases, provided there is water and food in the house, some cats and cats can be left alone at home for up to 24 hours. However, longer and more frequent periods of owner absence, such as all day or overnight, can be stressful for these animals. Consequently, experts advise against leaving an adult cat alone for periods longer than two days. This is especially true for kittens, who should not be left unattended for more than 2-3 hours.
In general, several factors can be distinguished, thanks to which the owner of the cat can not worry about it during his absence from home.
First, cats are independent pets. And if you usually spend enough time with your pet after finishing your business, she will patiently wait for the moment of your return home.
Secondly, it is worth disciplining your cat from the start and teaching her to be separate from her owner during the day and sleep at night, for example, in another room. This will teach it to be more independent and prevent it from becoming anxious in the absence of a human.
Thirdly, you need to take care of the animal’s access to food during the day, because both cats and cats vitally need to get a daily calorie allowance. However, in this situation, it will not be the best solution to leave your pet a full bowl of food. Therefore, in order to avoid overeating, it is better to buy an automated feeder for it, which will, according to the time specified by the owner, add food.
Water for the cat can be left in different containers and places, then it will be easier and more interesting to find them. Of course, it is necessary to take care of a clean litter box for the cat.
How a cat spends time alone
During the period when the owner is not at home, the cat spends time in different ways. She can sleep, explore the room, play with her toys, groom herself, waiting for the return of the person. Time for this animal is not determined by the exact measurement of hours and minutes, as for humans. It is recognized by the sensation of hunger and thirst, in other words, by the animal’s internal biological clock.
Let’s talk in more detail about the cat’s activities during the period when it remains alone:
- This pet rests a lot throughout the day. It may take a nap or sleep a long deep sleep in cozy places it chooses for itself; it is worth remembering to provide the cat with a comfortable place to rest and explore the territory, such as a high shelf or a bed.
- The cat does a lot of exploring even in familiar surroundings. She explores new smells, checks to see if everything is in its place, and reacts with interest to items previously unknown to her.
- The cat can play with its toys on its own, carefully sniffing them, knocking them over or chasing after them; you can also leave puzzle toys with healthy treats inside and open cardboard boxes for active play.
- These animals are real cleaners, as they spend a lot of time grooming themselves. They lick their fur to maintain hygiene and comfort, as well as regulate their body temperature and even relieve stress.
- Occasionally, a cat will jump up on the windowsill or sit by the front door waiting for its owner to return, so make sure it has plenty of room to roam around the apartment or house and is not locked in one room before leaving. It is also advisable to play with the animal before you leave the house to keep it satisfied and more or less tired when alone.
Signs of anxiety in a cat
It is worth paying attention to the behavior of the pet, if it behaves aggressively towards the owner after his return home, if the cat demonstratively offends, does not approach him or even hides. Or when it does not calm down for a long time while alone and only calms down when its owner comes home. All these factors indicate that the animal is anxious in the absence of a person, and then tries to attract his attention. Therefore, in such circumstances, it is worth first installing a webcam in the room, which will allow you to observe the cat for some time, and then seek advice about this behavior from a specialist.
Consider the fact that changes in familiar surroundings, such as renovations or moving to a new home, can also cause the cat stress, which can manifest itself in avoiding human contact and seeking solitude.
When not to leave your cat alone
It is very important not to leave your cat alone for a long time if you go on a long business trip or vacation. And it’s not about satisfying your cat’s basic needs. Cats are social creatures that need interaction and stimulation just like humans. Socializing with people or kin is an important part of a healthy life for any pet.
Take into account the fact that your pet may become injured or ill while you are away, so there is no one to help and provide the necessary care. The best solution in this case will be a temporary relocation of the cat to relatives, friends, neighbors or to a stall. Specialized centers and animal hotels can also provide reliable care for your pet.
