There comes a time where you will be having to leave your house for a few days. You ask yourself what’s a few days with my cat at the house alone? I’m here to tell you why you shouldn’t be leaving cats alone for 3 days or more. Cats are actually very independent animals. That doesn’t make it safe to leave your cats alone though.
If there is no way around leaving your cats alone then there are a few things you will need to know to make sure you come back to a happy cat and home.
Why You Shouldn’t Do This
If your cat happens to get sick while you are gone for several days he will be helpless and there will be nothing you can do. It would especially be dangerous if your cat started to vomit and have diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration which can be a real concern if your cat doesn’t get proper nourishment.
You cat can also get lonely and anxious without having you around since they are so used to you being there. When leaving a cat alone for more than a day it can cause them stress and anxiety. Cats do worry and may feel abandoned and increasingly nervous the longer that you are gone.
Cats can also get bored without their usual attention or stimulation from you being around. This can slowly lead to behavioral issues if they are left alone too long. You may encounter some of these issues as soon as you walk into the door once you see your house. Your cat may be defiant when you are gone and make a mess in the house.
Cats like routines. They like to do certain things throughout their day. You may see them in the window sill at around the same time everyday or using the cat box. Regardless of the situation, your cat will get into a routine. With you away from the house for several days can throw this off.
You will not be able to monitor how much they eat or drink since you will have to leave enough food out while you are gone. Don’t forget about he litter box. Cats like a clean litter box. If it is too dirty your cat may stop using it.
If your cat were to get stuck in something or was hurt jumping or fell and was injured you wouldn’t be there to take care of him. The worse part is you won’t even know that it happened until you returned from your trip. This means your cat may have been suffering for days before you arrived.
If You Must Leave Them Unattended…
If you have no other choice but to leave your cat alone while you are gone then there are a few steps you need to take to make sure he will be okay. You will want to make sure your cat is properly fed for the entire duration you are gone.
This includes both food and water. The next thing to worry about is his cat box. You will need to make sure his litter box is also maintained while you are away to make sure that he will use it properly.
There are many products on the market that can actually do these for you automatically. If you plan on leaving your cat alone then it would be a great idea to invest in some of these items before you leave your cat alone at home.
PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder
This is an automatic pet feeder that you can use while you are away. Click here to check the current price on amazon. This device will automatically feed your cat up to 4 additional pre-portioned meals a day. Its very quick and easy to use. It has a built-in digital clock and LCD display makes it easy to setup and use. Each of the trays is designed to hold up to 1 cup of dry or semi-moist cat food. This feeder will automatically rotate the trays based on the settings that you input. It’s simply operated with 4 D-Cell alkaline batteries that do not come included. The removal tray is dishwasher safe which makes cleaning easy and convenient.
This automatic feeder will make sure your cat is properly nourished while you are away.
Petsafe Pet Fountain
This is the perfect automatic water dispenser to use for your cat while you are gone. Click here to check the current price from amazon. This water fountain has a water capacity of 50 ounces. It has a free-falling stream that will strike your cat’s interest and make them want to drink more water. There is an included replaceable carbon filter that helps to remove bad taste and odor from the water and help keep it fresh. It also has an adjustable knob that you can use to customize the flow of water to your liking.
This water fountain will help make sure that your cat gets enough water and stays hydrated while you are away.
PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box
This is a great automated litter box that you can give your cat to use while you are away. Click here to check the current pricing on amazon. This litter box will self clean itself for weeks. You will not have to scoop it, clean it, or refill it. The special crystal litter will absorb your cats urine and dehydrates the waste to instantly remove stench and odor. The covered trap locks away and solid waste and odor so you never even have to touch or see it. This litter box uses a disposable tray that is leak-proof for quick and easy cleanup.
The only thing you need to do is get your cat acclimated to this litter box. Petsafe recommends that you leave this litter box out with their original one next to it for about a week. Once your cat has fully adjusted to the new automatic litter box then you can get rid of the old one.
Hire A Pet Sitter
Hiring someone to watch your cat while you are gone will help you sleep better knowing that your cat is not alone. Having a pet sitter can be the best idea because this can help your cat stay on his normal feeding routines. Having somebody else around the house will also help your cats anxiety and prevent him from getting lonely while you are away.
If You cant afford a pet sitter then another alternative would be to ask a family member. You can let them know you will be gone for a few days. Cats are not very hard to care for. They will just need to make sure to feed your cat and clean their litter box while you are away.
Final Thoughts
It can be dangerous to leave your cat at home unattended. Either hire a pet sitter or ask a family member to look after your cat for you while you are away. If all else fails then you may need to do a few upgrades in your house to make it more suitable for your cat while you are away.
