Cats, unlike dogs, can stay home alone for a few days if we have to be away for any reason. Although these felines are considered to be independent and solitary, the truth is that they are still domestic animals that need our company and attention for their well-being. Therefore, our absence cannot be extended for more than a few days.
A longer period of time would mean looking for another solution, such as a residence for cats or a family member who would take care of it. In any case, it is necessary to prepare the house and our cat to be able to leave it alone during our absence. In this article on our site, in collaboration with Catit, we review below the tips to leave a cat home aloneand maintain his well-being when we are not.
Can I leave my cat home alone?
As we have advanced, cats can stay home alone as long as it is a short trip We are talking about sometwo, three or four days , although the time of absence also depends a lot on the characteristics of our cat and on whether we live with more than one, in which case the mutual company you can allow a couple more days of absence.
Some specimens are calmer and more independent, so they will handle solitude better. On the other hand, the youngest and most playful kittens or adults, the most cuddly and, ultimately, dependent, will not be able to be left alone for more than a day. Of course, a sick or suspected cat, as well as very old cats or those that are recovering from an operation or some pathology, cannot be left alone, since they need daily monitoring.
In short, we can leave one or more he althy adult cats at home for a few days.
How to leave my cat home alone?
Of course, our cat has to continue to eat and drink even if we are not at home. We must calculate the amount of food that he will need during our absence, as well as ensure his access to clean water 24 hours a day. Many keepers fill several feeders with feed and several drinkers with water. But this option, which may be valid for some cats, has drawbacks. To begin with, the animal can tip over the containers, running out of water and food. This is more common in homes with more than one cat, where there may be a fight in the feeding area, or in very playful specimens that can accidentally throw them. In addition, air-dried feed can dry out and the water can become dirty, meaning that finicky cats may stop eating and/or drinking. To avoid this, we can resort to automatic feeders and smart drinkers.
Smart Fountain & Feeder
If we are going to be away from home for a few days and we want to make sure that our cat has access to food and water that is always clean and fresh, we can choose to use smart waterers and feeders. Of course, start using them a few weeks before you leave to make sure the cat accepts them. This is how it works:
- Smart Source: This is a water source that allows a certain amount to be stored and with a filtering system that keeps it moving. Cats usually prefer to drink water from fountains, precisely because it is not stagnant water. The Catit PIXI smart fountain has a capacity of two liters, has a UV-C sterilizer, which neutralizes 99% of bacteria and viruses, a filter and is controlled from a mobile phone application. In addition, its design is ergonomic and it does not make much noise, so it will not bother the most sensitive cats. The app notifies you when it needs to be refilled with water.
- Smart feeder: consists of a feeder that offers the possibility of storing a specific amount of feed so that it can dose it itself, This prevents the food from drying out and spoiling. The Catit PIXI smart feeder is a feed dispenser that can be controlled from your mobile phone. With a stainless steel plate, its capacity is 1.2 kg, it is suitable for all size and circular croquettes (max. 9mm in diameter) and allows food to be kept fresh, crispy and mold-free for days. The application warns when it is necessary to fill it in.
Consult the products of Catit PIXI and leave without worrying about your cat's nutrition and hydration.
Prepare the litter box to leave the cat alone
A very important point, given how neat cats tend to be, is the litter tray. Regardless of the litter we have used up to then, to be away for a few days it is best to choose a quality one, which completely absorbs liquids and neutralizes bad odours. The dirtier the litter box, the more likely it is that the cat will resist using it and we may find, on the way back, with urine or excrement in any other place or, what is worse, that the cat has endured the desire to have a bowel movement, which can lead to he alth problems. Discover the different types of cat litter in this other article.
It is a good option to add an extra sandbox or more, depending on the days we are going to be away. Of course, this litter box will be similar to the one that the cat normally uses and we will place it in a quiet place. Remember that any change should be introduced gradually and days before our departure to ensure that the cat accepts it. For example, if we put a new litter in it, we leave and it turns out that it is not to its liking, we run the risk that it will refuse to use the litter box. Before leaving, leave all the sandboxes clean.
How to entertain a cat alone at home?
The key is environmental enrichment With this expression we refer to providing the cat with an environment in which it can develop all the activities it are natural to him, such as climbing, scratching, jumping, hiding, playing, etc. In other words, it involves adapting the home to the feline perspective and is the best way to offer her stimulation both physically and mentally.
We can achieve this with toys, scratching posts, hammocks or even furniture arranged at different heights to take advantage of the space also vertically. If environmental enrichment is always important, much more so when we are going to leave the cat alone at home for a few days. It is a good idea to reserve your favorite toys or those that offer you more entertainment time to leave them in our absence. Of course, guarantee him a completely safe environment by checking that doors and windows are properly closed and that he does not have access to anything potentially toxic, such as soaps or plants. On the contrary, make sure that no door can lock him in.
