Can Cats Stay Home Alone? The Real Answer to How Long You Can Keep Cats Home Alone For in Cooper City, FL

Have you ever wondered how long you can leave your cat at home alone without human supervision? Is it safe to go away for a weekend without anyone coming by to check in on your pet? How long can your pet go without someone around?

In the article below, we’ll help you learn everything you need to know about leaving your cat at home alone. You can use this information to prepare for upcoming vacations and to better understand your cat’s needs when it comes time for you to travel, too.

Lengths of Time a Cat Can Be Alone

Depending on how long you are gone, your cat may be fine to be alone for some time. However, if you are going to be gone for longer than a night, there are some considerations you will want to take into mind.

Daily Alone Time

Every day, your cat can safely be left alone for 8 to 10 hours while you’re away at work. There is typically no cause for concern in leaving a cat alone for this length of time, especially if your cat is young and doesn’t have any major health problems.

If you need to be gone longer due to errands or other requirements, this is usually okay as well. Just be sure to spend plenty of time with your cat when you get back home, and make sure she has enough food and water before you leave for the day as well.

Weekend Trips

If you’re going to be gone for two nights over the weekend, your cat may be able to go the full time without someone stopping by. However, it is far better for you to have someone come by at least once during this time to check on your pet’s food, water, and litter box needs.

For single-night overnight trips, you can typically leave your cat at home alone with no trouble.

Vacation

Taking a longer vacation may mean you need to hire a pet sitter to come by and check in on your pet. If you don’t have a friend, neighbor, or family member who is willing to stop by and care for your cat while you’re out of town, a pet sitter or a boarding facility is the next best option.

If you will be gone for more than two nights, it is absolutely crucial for you to have someone check on your cat at least once during your absence. The longer you’re gone, of course, the more frequently you’ll need someone to come by, so keep this in mind too when making your plans.

Things to Consider When Leaving Your Cat Home Alone

If you are planning to leave your pet cat home alone, there are a few things you should consider. A cat’s age, health, and other factors must come into play during your planning.

Visitor Frequency

Consider how often you will need someone to come by while you’re out of town. If you’re only going to be gone for a couple of nights, your cat should be fine with someone stopping by just once. However, if you’re going to be gone for a long stretch of time, you may need multiple visits per day to keep your cat healthy and safe.

If you cannot afford to pay a pet sitter for multiple visits during your trip, ask a friend or family member to fill in the rest. With several options for someone to come by and check on your pet, they are likely to be safer and happier too.

Pet Health Needs

Cats with underlying health problems likely need someone on hand more often than those who are healthy. If your cat has a chronic health condition or is temporarily sick, you may want to see if you can board them with your vet while you’re going to be out of town.

If vet boarding isn’t an option, look into a qualified pet sitter with experience in administering medication and treatments to pets. Your pet may need to be given medicine more than once per day, so keep this in mind when scheduling pet sitter visits as well.

Pet Age

If your cat is a senior with underlying health problems or a very young kitten who is prone to getting into mischief, you may want to consider how long you can safely leave them alone.

Senior cats may be more likely to become sick without human intervention, while kittens and young adult cats may get into household items that are harmful to them. If your cat is very young or very old, consider boarding or an in-home pet sitter while you’re away.

Conclusion

If you know you’re going to be traveling for several days, be sure to set up a good solution for your cat. Have a friend, family member, or pet sitter come by to check in and spend time with your pet every day, or consider boarding if this is not an option.

If you’re going to be gone for several weeks or more, look into bringing your cat along with you or leaving her with a trusted friend or family member instead. These solutions are far better than leaving her alone for so long without humans around.

If you are planning on going out of town soon, contact Embassy Lakes Animal Hospital in Cooper City, FL at (954) 432-5811 to discuss your options. If you’d like to make an appointment, fill out our online appointment request form now.