Maximum time a cat can be left alone

Cat owners are quite concerned about this issue, which we understand. There is a lot of conflicting information about this on the internet, so today we aim to clarify the beliefs surrounding this topic concisely and to the point.

For our article, we relied on the advice of Cats Protection, the leading cat welfare organization in the United Kingdom. Let’s how long you can leave your cat alone.

This is how long you can leave your cat alone

Since you are reading this article, we are already certain that you care about your cat. And it’s also clear to you how deeply these animals can bond with their owner, and how much they value the time spent with their beloved person. Although they are independent beings, their maintenance needs are not low, just different from those of a dog.

A cat can become frustrated, anxious, or stressed if it left alone without some human interaction for a long time. Even if it has access to numerous toys, food, and water. Therefore, we advise that you leave the cat alone for a maximum of 12 hours at a time, with the caveat that this does not happen frequently, let alone on a permanent basis. The 12-hour interval does not apply to cats that are chronically ill, the seniors, or the kittens. They need to be monitored regularly, requiring continuous supervision.

During these 12 hours, make sure to provide the cat with fresh litter, plenty of clean water, food (only dry to avoid the risk of spoilage), as well as toys. And of course, make sure to secure or remove any dangerous items.

If you’ll be away for a long time

If you will be away for a longer period, it’s worth considering placing the cat in a cattery or with family members, friends, or hiring a cat sitter. Alternatively, it’s also a great solution to ask someone you trust to visit the cat once or twice a day, take care of its needs, and spend quality time with it. (Although it’s a great favor, so placing the cat elsewhere might be more practical.)

What we’ve outlined above is just the standard. You know your own cat, so if you know that it’s borderline stressed even if you only go to to work, you don’t need to adhere strictly to the 12-hour rule. However, on the contrary, we strongly advise against leaving the cat alone for longer than 12 hours under any circumstances, even for the most independent, adaptable cats. Pet ownership is a responsibility, so you must adapt to your pet’s needs and requirements.