It's a common misconception that cats don't experience loneliness, but they do, especially when left alone for long periods of time. Learning how to tell if your cat is lonely puts you on the path to helping them feel more content while they're home alone.
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.
Short answer: yes. When their needs for companionship are not met, cats can become depressed. They can also get separation anxiety. Unfortunately, feline separation anxiety often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe.
Most cats are fine with short separations where they're left home alone during typical 8-hour work days. “It's absolutely okay to leave cats alone for short periods — in fact, just like us, they need some alone time,” says DeVoss.
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.
With a little bit of prep, your cat will be just fine at home in your absence. However, if you need to be away for more than a day, it's best to have a friend or pet sitter check in and help care for your cat until you return. This is ideal because your cat gets to stay where they're most comfortable.
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. There is also a study that shows that smaller animals with higher metabolisms may process time more slowly. This means that cats may perceive time differently than people.
The definitive answer is that you can leave a cat alone for up to 72 hours if you have to. If that's all you're looking for, then be on your merry way. However, you may be wondering how you can make those 72 hours bearable and safe for your cat?
Alone Time Can Strengthen Together Time
Though household cats do get lonely because they developed a need for companionship, remember their ancestors were solitary animals. Therefore, it's in cats' roots to also enjoy some time to themselves!
Cats are naturally solitary animals and are often happy without the company of their own species. They are territorial animals who don't like conflict with other cats.
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.
Can Cats Find Their Way Home Years Later? Yes, cats can return home many days, weeks, months, and even years after they wandered off or were lost.
If your TV is on all day when you're home, leaving it on while you're gone may be calming for your cats since it mimics what things are like when you are there. However, if they're not used to having background noise all day, you may be better off leaving the TV off.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Changes in body language, including ears held back, tucked tail, and hairs standing on end. Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets.
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.
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.
Normally, cats can be self-sufficient for up to 48 hours, but longer than this would be inadvisable as they may run out of food and water and their litter trays may become very unsociable! Try and arrange for a cat visitor to call and add some social interaction to your cat's day and break up their alone time.
Anyone simply "present" in their life is someone they may remember, but not associate with any emotion. But as long as you and your cat have shared a pet or two, and as long as you fed them a few of their favorite meals, your cat will remember you as well no matter how long you are gone.
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.
Provide a stimulating environment for when they're alone: think hideaways and tunnels, cat trees and perches, hanging toys with catnip and interactive toys. Leave quietly while your cat is otherwise occupied. Don't play with your cat or pick him up for hugs and affection right before walking out.
The bond between a cat and their caregiver can be very strong, and therefore cats sometimes become upset when left alone. Vocalization or excessive meowing might occur when your cat is confined to a room and cannot get to you. In more severe cases, your cat may be suffering from separation anxiety when left alone.
Cats enjoy social contact with people, and some will be quite vocal in their requests for attention. The cat may want to be stroked, played with or simply talked to. Cats who are left alone for long periods of time each day may be more likely to meow for attention.