Leaving a cat alone in your home might be suitable for a short trip away, but leaving cats alone for 2 weeks is never a good idea.
Most felines will be perfectly content being left alone for up to 8 hours while you're at work. 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.
Provide Your Cat with Attention without Returning Home
If you have a cat sitter supervising them for an hour or two per day, you can safely leave them for up to a week. Any longer than that and your kitty will surely miss your constant presence at home!
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.
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.
Regardless of their reputation, cats do get lonely when they are left unattended for long periods of time. Research proves that cats are social beings that form strong bonds with their owners. Do cats get sad when you leave? Short answer: yes.
"Domesticated cats are used to being with people on a day-to-day basis. I don't recommend leaving a cat for three months. The long absence might take a mental toll on the cat which could lead to urinating out of the box or even becoming anti-social."
Most of the time, traveling is quite safe for cats. For extended trips that will be a week or longer, traveling with your cat may make more sense than leaving them at home. Being away from home with your cat for several days allows them to get comfortable with a new environment and stay on their usual routine.
Even with all the food and water they could handle, your cat could still injure themselves, the power could go out, the refillable bowls could malfunction, the dirty litter box or boredom could drive them to be destructive, and any number of other unforeseeable things could happen if no human is there to protect your ...
Absolutely not. Unless you have someone coming in every day at least twice daily to clean the litter box, and to provide fresh water and food, you should never leave your cat alone for that length of time.
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.
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.
It's important to understand that these vanishing acts are perfectly normal. Felines, by their nature, are adventurous animals. Their innate curiosity can see them wander away from home as they explore their surroundings, satisfying that predatory instinct.
Based on veterinary advice, the maximum amount of time you should leave a cat alone is 24 hours. If you plan to be out for a significant portion of time, it might be wise to get someone to cat-sit for you, or look into cat daycare if that's a viable option for your budget.
If you leave the house for a quick errand or two, it's unlikely your cat will even notice that you're not home. A quick pet and a snuggle can remind your cat that despite your absence, you've got kitty on the brain!
Do cats actually miss their owners? Yes, they do. The cats miss the owners whenever they are away or have been detached from the owner. They notice the absence of all the showered love their owners have left for them.
One of the most common signs your cat misses you is meowing and crying. Your pets may meow to get your attention or because they feel lonely. Kitty may show increased affection towards their pet parents. This could include purring, rubbing against you, and even kneading you with their paws.
While You're Away On Vacation
The best way to comfort kitty in your absence is to leave a worn T-shirt or other piece of clothing or bedding that carries your smell. Anything with your scent will remind your cat of you and the deep sense of comfort kitty associates with you, which will help reduce separation anxiety.
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. Because cats are so independent and easily frightened into hiding, they benefit much more from a controlled environment where they can be closely monitored.
Many cats love spending hours looking out the window, so try placing a cat tree or climber near a window that faces out onto the street. Soft toys, ping-pong balls, and other favorite cat toys should be left around the house, along with puzzle toys containing hidden treats – if your cat is used to solving puzzle toys.
Cats are social and form deep attachments to people.” Cats with separation issues may act out when you're gone. Another reason your cat might be acting strange after a vacation is that cats enjoy routine, and you being gone causes a disruption in that routine.
Cats get very attached to their families. When left alone, they can get lonely, depressed, and even anxious. It's a misconception that cats aren't social beings. They need their daily dose of love and attention to stay happy and healthy.
The truth is, though, cats have plenty of different personality types, and many of them do experience separation anxiety. This is particularly true of cats who were orphaned. And with many of you going back to work if you haven't gone back already, it's a good idea to know the signs of separation anxiety in cats.