Although 72 hours is the firm maximum time you should leave your cat alone, the exact amount of time depends on their age, health, and personality. You should also consider the time of year and your home when deciding how long is appropriate for your cat.
The length of time you can leave a grown-up cat alone depends on the cat, his diet, and your environment. Cats who eat dry food that you can make readily available may be left on their own for 24-48 hours as long as fresh water is accessible as well.
If you need to leave for two or three days, a full week, or longer, you should make sure someone is coming over to care for your cat daily. If you leave your cat alone for too long it can cause boredom, stress, separation anxiety, and unwanted behavior – not to mention the risk of accidents or illness.
Research has shown that cats don't show signs of separation anxiety when their owner is away. Some cat owners know this: you return from a holiday but your cat acts pretty indifferently! Other cats even behave like they are "offended" and pretend not to see you at all.
Leaving your cat home alone for one or two days
Many cats will be fine on their own for up to two days. However, you need to ensure they have access to fresh food and water at all times.
The answers will depend on whether your cat is a kitten or an older cat, plus whether they have ventured outside - or if they're a happy house kitty! As a guide, a full-grown adult cat can be left for as long as 24-48 hours if they have the right resources.
While two or more cats together certainly won't feel quite as lonely without someone coming by to check in on them during an owner's 24-hour absence, it is not appropriate to leave multiple cats alone longer than a single cat.
Most cats don't go missing for very long.
However in some cases, cats can go missing for days, weeks, months or even years. They may return, or might not ever make it home. To prevent losing your beloved pet, use a GPS cat tracker and always know where your feline friend is.
Upon Your Return From Vacation
While you're ready for the reunion, don't be disappointed if your cat doesn't immediately reciprocate. It can take some cats a few days to readjust to the "new" situation, even though it's just a return to normalcy.
You may think that your upcoming travel plans won't affect your cat, but it's actually quite common for cats to get separation anxiety. Learn to recognize the signs of cat anxiety and follow our tips to help your cat cope while you're enjoying a well-deserved vacation.
Cats can be left alone for up to 72 hours. If you're going to be gone for any longer than that, then you should make sure a friend, family member, or neighbor has a key to check up on your cat.
As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive. Your cat should not be left alone for long periods of time.
A healthy adult cat can be left alone for a day, but a kitten should never be left alone for an extended period. We recommend that a one- to three-month-old kitten be left alone no longer than four hours at a time, while a five-month-old can be left a little longer, and a six-month-old can be left for the workday.
Emotionally, a cat might miss its human when she's gone, but he has more basic needs to worry about. With the sitter, these will be met, so there's no use in overthinking the situation for him. He's part of a species that set its own terms for domestication—you're likely underestimating him.
Especially if there is something enticing nearby, your cat is likely to roam away from home for hours to up to days. Even just nice weather is enough to cause them to leave your lap in search of some excitement. So if you have a curious, exploring adventure cat, know that it's 100% normal.
While a feline won't miss their owner as much as a dog might, your cat can still struggle to adjust whenever you're away. When you return, your kitty may meow and want to cuddle, or they might be standoffish and ignore you. In both cases, your cat is showing you that they missed you while you were on vacation!
“Cats are creatures of habit, and when their people leave or if they are boarded, it can be highly disruptive,” says Taylor Truitt, DVM, CEO of The Vet Set in Brooklyn, New York. “When you return home, they [usually] are confused by yet another change of habit and the new smells you bring in.
While leaving their pet, people may feel guilty for doing so. This is a normal feeling to experience and there are ways to combat that guilt. Understanding that your pet is probably okay while you are gone is a great place to start to reduce the guilt that is experienced when leaving your pet at home.
Cats act on instinct and may leave home for various reasons. The cat may be too curious and wander off on its own, perhaps through an open door or window. You may also have a missing cat after they run out of fear or because they're hungry and see a tasty-looking bird outside.
You do not need to worry if your cat leaves, however, if it has been more than two days, you should consider notifying your local vet and animal warden that your animal has not come back, as they might have been injured, preventing them from coming home.
They definitely remember people. No. your cat won't forget you after 2 weeks. Whether it's 2 weeks, 3 weeks or even more, your cat will not forget you.
While it may seem that cats are better off in their own home while you're away, they're actually more likely to be better off with a boarder or cattery.
There are no absolutes. There is at least an even chance that when you get there and they are in your old room, they will adjust quickly and be happy to settle in. Obviously you want to bring their litter box(es) and bedding with you. They will hate the trip home as well, but they will be glad to be home.