How many hours can I leave my cat home alone?

As people spend more time at home, it seems that the number of people who have started living with cats and those who wish to do so is increasing.

Daily life with a cat is irreplaceable. Their cuteness and independent nature are truly healing.

However, when you have to leave your cat "home alone," you might worry if they're feeling lonely, if they'll get into mischief, or if it's okay to stay out overnight.

This time, we will provide a detailed explanation of leaving your cat home alone, including how many hours and days are acceptable, and precautions to take. 

Can Cats Stay Home Alone?

Are cats inherently good at staying home alone?

Cats originally hunted and lived alone, not in packs, so they are less likely to experience stress from solitude. Additionally, they spend most of their day sleeping, so they don't seem to feel lonely even if their owner isn't constantly by their side.

Furthermore, cats are very sensitive to environmental changes. In fact, they feel more stressed when taken to an unfamiliar place. They would likely be less stressed staying home alone in their own territory rather than being left in an unfamiliar environment.

From this, it can be said that cats are good at staying home alone.

Do Cats Also Feel Lonely?

When you decide to leave your cat home alone, you might worry, "What if they get lonely?"

When pets feel strong anxiety away from their owners, it's called "separation anxiety." Problem behaviors due to separation anxiety are common in dogs but rare in cats.

How Many Hours Can a Cat Stay Home Alone?

A healthy adult cat can stay home alone for up to 24 hours. Even for those who work, leaving your cat alone from the morning until you return home shouldn't be an issue.

Cats' daily routines naturally adjust to their owners' schedules, and some cats even settle into fixed meal times twice a day, in the morning and evening. They often spend most of the time their owners are away sleeping.

However, long periods of being left alone are not advisable for cats with chronic illnesses requiring medication or senior cats with less stamina. Be sure to have regular health check-ups at the vet and confirm how to care for them.

From What Age Can Kittens Stay Home Alone?

Kittens around 2 months old, before weaning, cannot be left home alone. They require milk every few hours, and their litter box and room temperature management need constant attention.

By 3 to 4 months old, they are considerably sturdier, allowing them to stay home alone for 1 hour to half a day. However, as they are mischievous and full of curiosity, measures against mischief and accidents are essential.

Once they are over 6 months old and their bodies are similar in size to adult cats, they can stay home alone for 8 hours or more. It's fine to leave them for a full day when you're at work or elsewhere.

How Many Days Can a Cat Stay Home Alone?

Cats can stay home alone for 1 to 2 nights, or about 2 to 3 days. It might be less stressful for your cat to stay home than to be boarded at a pet hotel.

However, it is essential to prepare their food, water, and litter box environment. With an automatic feeder and water dispenser, you'll have less to worry about food spoiling or water evaporating.

Considering the risk of food and water spoilage and heatstroke, depending on the living environment, the limit for staying home alone is 2 days in summer and 3 days in winter.

If you need to leave your cat home alone for more than 2-3 days, ask someone to care for them.

If you need to leave your cat home alone for more than 2-3 days, we recommend asking someone to care for them.

• Have a friend or acquaintance check in on them
• Use a pet sitter
• Use a pet hotel
• Have your regular veterinarian look after them

Consider your cat's personality and any existing medical conditions to choose the best method.

What You Need When Leaving Your Cat Home Alone

Thorough preparation is necessary when leaving your cat home alone. First, let's check what your cat needs for their stay.

Plenty of Drinking Water

Drinking water can evaporate or spill, and run out surprisingly quickly. Choose stable bowls, and prepare at least one more than the number of cats.

Tap water is fine for drinking as it's less likely to spoil. An automatic water dispenser is recommended so your cat always has fresh water.

Food

When your cat is home alone, their food should always be dry (kibble). Wet food spoils easily and can harbor bacteria, so avoid it.

When leaving your cat home alone, prepare more than one day's worth of food for each day they will be alone. If you're concerned about overeating, an automatic feeder can provide peace of mind.

Litter Box

Cats dislike dirty litter boxes, so they might have accidents while you're away. Since you can't clean it during your absence, make sure to clean it thoroughly right before you leave and put in plenty of litter.

It's also good to have one more litter box than the number of cats.

Cage

When leaving your cat home alone, allow them to roam freely around the house.

However, when leaving playful kittens or sick cats home alone, it is safer to put them in a cage. For a few hours, have them stay in the cage.

Pet Camera or Monitor

For owners who can't help but worry about their cats while they're home alone, a pet camera or monitor is recommended. You can check on your cat at any time, and some even allow you to dispense treats remotely.

Precautions When Leaving Your Cat Home Alone

When leaving your cat home alone, you worry about unexpected problems and accidents. Nothing must happen that could endanger your cat's life.

Let's learn about the precautions to take when leaving your cat home alone.

Measures Against Accidental Ingestion and Swallowing

Keep dangerous foods, plants, small toys, and strings out of your cat's reach. Also, take thorough measures against electric shock from power cords and outlets.

Escape Prevention

While you're away, unforeseen circumstances such as lightning or earthquakes might occur. Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked to prevent your cat from being startled by loud noises and escaping.

In case of emergency, don't forget a microchip, a cat collar, and a ID tag.

Winter Cold Weather Preparedness for Cats Left Alone

Cats are prone to getting sick in cold weather. When leaving them home alone, use an air conditioner on automatic mode to maintain a temperature of 20-23 degrees Celsius. Do not use a stove as it is dangerous.

Provide a covered dome-shaped cat bed or a tunnel-shaped cat bed so they can stay warm with their own body heat.

Heatstroke Prevention for Cats Left Alone in Summer

While cats are said to be resistant to heat, an air conditioner is essential when leaving them home alone in summer. Due to the risk of heatstroke, it is recommended to leave the air conditioner running.

Set the air conditioner to 26-28 degrees Celsius and leave it on automatic. Make sure your cat can move to another room if it gets cold, allowing them to find a comfortable spot on their own.

Summary

While cats are said to be good at staying home alone, there are still many worries. The longer the cat is left alone, the more supplies and precautions are needed.

If your cat is not used to being left alone, try practicing with short periods first. Gradually extend the time they are left alone and address any issues that arise.

Your cat might not feel "lonely" even without you, but they might feel anxious or dissatisfied by things being "different than usual."

Be sure to show your cat affection through petting and play after they've been good at staying home alone.

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