Vacations are meant to be fun for people, but due to the change in routine, they can, unfortunately, be a cause of stress for cats and result in behavior problems and separation anxiety. Cat behavior problems can occur during the owner's absence, while being transported, or when the owner returns.
Cats are very social creatures and crave attention. They will miss you when you're away because you're the source of their love and affection. Kitties love to play and interact with their owners. They will miss playing with and chasing you when you aren't at home.
Changes in the Family's Schedule
Also, when you go away on vacation and your cat is either left with a pet sitter or sent to a boarding place, your cat has no way of knowing that you will come back for them, so they may experience depression.
Though they may seem antisocial at times, the fact of the matter is that your cat LOVES you, and really hates it when you're gone. Leaving your kitty alone for an extended period of time will likely cause serious anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior.
Yes, they know you are leaving. They remember the suitcase and the long days alone from last time. Of course. A cat will know that after you packed that suitcase last time, you disappeared for several days or weeks.
They are lonely
This is the case for a large number of kitties left alone, whether the separation is just a few hours or even several days. Incredibly social creatures, cats do not like being away from their family – they feel protective over their humans much in the way dogs do.
Cats might not know how many hours you leave them for, but they do know when you're away. They can get lonely, bored, and anxious.
“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.
Like many other animals, cats are social and enjoy the presence of their owner and/or other cats. When you go on vacation and leave your cat alone, it can increase the risk that they'll become lonely from the isolation—especially if you're taking a long trip.
Conclusion. Most cats don't understand that kisses from humans are a sign of affection. A cat will surely let you know if they enjoy being kissed or not. The best ways to show your cat that you love them are to give them toys, treats, and plenty of one-on-one time.
All in all, even the most aloof and brooding cat will be able to pick up on your warmth and devotion. Whether they choose to admit it or not, they can sense when a person loves them (and hates them). So always make sure you're emitting good, kitty-positive vibes, and your cat will be sure to indulge in the lovefest.
No matter how independent your cat is, we do not recommend leaving your cat alone without daily visits from a friend or a professional cat-sitter for more than two or three days. Today, there are many options to care for your cat while you are away. Keep in mind that, cats tend to be independent, territorial animals.
Cats feel separation anxiety when their owners leave for extended periods of time, or when changes to the schedule are made abruptly. An emotional response to sudden shifts occurring at home, separation anxiety can be subtle enough that signs of distress are entirely missed or misunderstood.
But now we know cats crave companionship too. They need it to stay healthy. Today, leaving Cat alone for 3 days is considered excessive. There are simply far too many sad stories of well-intentioned pet owners who left their “oh-so-independent” kitty alone and came back to preventable heartache.
Even though cats are pretty self-sufficient, you shouldn't leave your cat home alone for more than 2-3 days maximum. If you have a young kitten, an older cat, or a solo cat, that time should be more like 1-2 days but you know your cat(s) the best.
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.
Remember that all cats are different though and the length of time they're comfortable alone will vary if they are left with enough food and plenty of fresh water. Based on veterinary advice, the maximum amount of time you should leave a cat alone is 24 hours.
Well, when they're lost from their territory – your home – fear is likely to be their greatest feeling, rather than hunger. In fact, the Missing Animal Response Network has found that cats will often hide for one or two weeks after becoming displaced from their territory.
Signs Cats Worry About Their Humans
Recent studies have shown that cats notice if their humans are absent, especially for a longer period of time than it takes to go buy milk. When the human returns, the cat who was so affectionate before may walk away or appear to sulk.
As any pet parent will tell you, cats don't like it when their humans leave the house. Whether cats destroy your belongings or their own, they're good at getting their point across! Cats are very exact in their actions, so make no mistake: she'll let you know she's unhappy that you're gone.
Taken as a whole, cats have excellent memories. In experimental conditions, the memory of a cat was demonstrated as having an information-retention or recall of a duration totaling as much as 10 years.
Most adult cats are fine being left home alone for up to 24 hours, under the right conditions (more on that below). 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.
Keep your cat entertained with toys
Classic toys like plush catnip mice, bell toys and even cardboard boxes can entertain some cats for hours. But if you really want to bring some excitement while you're gone, interactive electronic toys are the best toys for bored cats.
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.