How long would you leave a cat home alone for?

noelphobic

My cat is 99% a house cat, with the occasional brief foray outdoors in good weather - and she will come in to use the litter tray, rather than going outdoors.

She doesn't eat much - a maximum of 2 x 100g pouches of wet food per day, plus some snacks - treat stick, lick e lix or Whiskas Temptations.

I leave dry food out all the time, which means she doesn't go hungry if I get home later than anticipated.

I'm going to my son's for Christmas Day and may be away for between 24 and 30 hours. Do you think she will be OK if I leave plenty of food and water out?

GwylimT

No, animals should not be left for long periods, the longest ours is left is four hours, in which case we put her in her room where she cannot get tangled in wires eg fairy lights and harm herself.

We have a pet sitter come in daily during the week to feed her and keep her company. If we went away for the night we would hire a live in sitter if a friend was unable to do this.

Not only will she be lonely, she would need four or five trays, otherwise she would be forced to use a very dirty tray.

WantToBeSE

I have left my cat for 24 hours before, just made sure she had plenty of food and water and toys.
I made her an extra snuggly bed with her favourite fleece blanket, and she wa fine.

SailorSam

I'm alone longer than that and nobody leaves food out for me,

Deep_In_Debt

I've left both of mine before for 24hrs and all they did was sleep which is what they normally do anyway.

They had plenty of food and water.

POPPYOSCAR

Yes she will be fine.


But if you are concerned could you ask a neighbour to just pop in for a minute to check on her?

Mojisola

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

But if you are concerned could you ask a neighbour to just pop in for a minute to check on her?

We do this for a neighbour's cats - pop in twice a day to check they are okay and give them a fuss if they want it.

noelphobic

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Yes she will be fine.


But if you are concerned could you ask a neighbour to just pop in for a minute to check on her?

I would but she's extremely timid and she would hide if anyone came in the house.

noelphobic

PasturesNew wrote: »

Poor kitty
She'll survive, but she might fret a little bit.

Yes, she might. I've left her alone for around 24 hours before, popped back briefly to feed her and then had to leave her alone for nearly as long again, due to unforeseen circumstances.

noelphobic

GwylimT wrote: »

No, animals should not be left for long periods, the longest ours is left is four hours, in which case we put her in her room where she cannot get tangled in wires eg fairy lights and harm herself.

We have a pet sitter come in daily during the week to feed her and keep her company. If we went away for the night we would hire a live in sitter if a friend was unable to do this.

Not only will she be lonely, she would need four or five trays, otherwise she would be forced to use a very dirty tray.

If I didn't leave her alone for longer than 4 hours then I wouldn't be able to go to work to pay for her food, toys, litter, insurance and vet fees!

4 or 5 trays for a 24-30 hour period? How often do you scoop/clean/empty your litter tray? I generally scoop once a day and empty/clean/refill once or twice a week.

misty_blue_2

i would think she will be fine
like you say she is 99% a house cat anyway
hope you enjoy your day at your sons