As cold and aloof as cats generally seem, cat owners, know they are not so. Cats may sometimes want to be left alone but they also crave affection from their owners from time to time. Although they don’t require daily walks like dogs, their owner’s presence matter to them.
However, as busy as we are, there might be times we have to leave our kitties alone for a few days. And you might be wondering, is this okay? How long can I leave my cat alone?
First of all, this depends on how old your cat is. Kittens younger than four months old should not be left alone for more than four hours. Once they reach six months, they can tolerate an eight-hour day without company.
The length of time you can leave a grown-up cat alone depends on the personality of your cat, his diet, and the environment he is staying in. if your cat eats dry food that you can leave out, it is okay to leave him on his own for 24 to 48 hours, as long as there is fresh water available. Beyond this time frame, the water may get too dirty to drink and the litter box can get full.
Here are several things to consider before leaving your cat by himself, according to MyPet.com:
Think about the weather.
You don’t want to leave your cat in a room-sized oven. In summer and hot climates, make sure to keep your kitty cool by leaving the air conditioning on. Extreme heat could lead to extreme consequences for your cat.
Leave plenty of water.
Water is the most important thing to leave for your cat. Fill the regular water bowl before you leave and add extra bowls of fresh water around your home as well. You might also consider getting a pet water fountain.
Add a second litter box.
Since there is no one to scoop the litter box while you’re away, the litter box can get full and your cat will want to stop using it, thus leading her to take a dump elsewhere. YOU DO NOT WANT THAT. By placing an additional litter box, you are giving your cat another location to relieve himself, one that doesn’t involve your furniture or your bed.
Read the full article here to get more ideas before leaving your cat alone.