How long can you leave a cat alone?

Updated 11/12/23

Most of our feline friends are pretty independent souls, happy to explore the neighborhood on their own or spend the day stretched out in a sunny spot. However, this doesn’t mean we can leave cats alone completely.

From the occasional cuddle to the odd chin tickle, it’s important for cats to receive enough human attention and care to make them feel safe and secure. Yes, this affection will likely be on their own terms, but it's essential for a happy, healthy kitty. This is particularly important when their beloved pet parents are away, with research finding that cats can develop behavioral problems if left without proper companionship.

Knowing your cat needs you is music to moggie-lovers ears, but it does raise the question, how long can you leave a cat alone?

How long can you leave a cat alone?

Cat lovers know that every kitty has their own personality, meaning the amount of attention they need and how long you can leave them differs from cat to cat. While your pet pal might just need you to keep an eye on their daily routine, other cats may require a lot more attention.

So, how long can cats be left alone? Most feline friends are pretty forgiving when left alone for the typical 8-hour working day. In fact, since cats sleep so much, you might come home to find they haven't even moved off the couch! Don't worry if your shifts are a little more unpredictable, as long as you can pop home for a cuddle and make sure your cat is ok at some point during a 24-hour window, your cat should be just fine.

However, no matter how independent your cat is, they should never be left alone long enough for their supplies to run out or turn bad. Of course, no one likes to be left alone for too long, but, as explored in our guide to cat anxiety, cats can become particularly distressed when they don’t have access to fresh water, fresh food, and a fresh litter box. Remember, litter boxes need to be scooped out daily! 

How long can you leave a kitten alone? 

It goes without saying that kittens need far more care and attention than adult cats, but how long can you leave them alone? Experts suggest that young kittens under 4 months old should only be left alone for 2-4 hours, but by the time they're 6 months old, they should be ok alone for up to 8 hours.

If you've recently become a pet parent to a cute kitty, you might be wondering "Can I leave my kitten alone while I sleep?". It can be comforting for both pet parents and young kittens to sleep in the same room, but if this isn't for you, make sure your kitten has a warm, comfortable, safe place to rest their head for the night. The same goes for a recently adopted cat - as they’re just getting to grips with their new surroundings and are more prone to separation anxiety, they’ll feel happier knowing you're close by.

How long can a cat be left alone when I'm on vacation?

If you're going away for one night, your furry feline should be just fine, but if you're thinking of leaving your cat alone for a couple of days to a week or more, you'll need a plan B. After a day, their food will start to get icky, their water bowl will be far from fresh or may even be empty, and your cat will start to get lonely. And let's not talk about how their litter box will be gross for you and your cat. Yes, despite their independent nature (and what they might make you believe), cats need companionship to stay happy and healthy.

Preparing to leave your cat alone

Now you know the answer to "How long can you leave cats alone?" how can you prepare them for your (short-lived) departure?

Leave fresh provisions: It is possible to provide your cat with plenty of fresh provisions by using cat fountains and automated feeders. The fountain will dispense fresh water for your feline while a timed feeder will help make sure they can happily graze, not gorge. In households with multiple felines, microchip feeders are the best option — this will make sure the greediest guy doesn’t get all the grub.

Leave a litter box, or two: Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, a litter box should be provided in case the weather is bad or the creaky cat flap finally breaks. If you're leaving your cat at home alone for longer periods of time, you should give them multiple boxes so they’re never subjected to walking in their own mess. Trust us, you'll want to make sure those litter boxes are as clean as a whistle, otherwise your fur baby might find other places to relieve themselves!

It’s also important to make sure that litter boxes are not positioned by a window where another cat may be able to watch; this can cause your kitty stage fright, leading them to go to the loo somewhere else.

Keep them entertained: If your cat has too much time on their paws, they are likely to become bored, stressed, or get up to no good — especially the young ones. So, it’s important to leave your clever cat with toys that stimulate their minds while you’re away. The best toys for cats home alone are interactive, from shop-bought games to homemade puzzle feeders made from a cardboard box and your kitty’s favorite kibble. Don’t forget to provide them with plenty of scratching posts, especially if they’re indoor cats.

Make them feel safe: Even the coolest cat can feel a little nervous when their owner is away, but there are a few extra things you can do to make them feel more safe and secure. From using plug-in diffusers that emit calming cat pheromones throughout the day, to playing comforting sounds such as the radio or music composed specifically for cats.

Make sure the home is safe: Of course, before leaving your cat alone, it’s important to make sure your home is as safe as possible. Here are a few things to check:

• Snoozing spots: Does your cat nap in a peculiar place? If it’s not safe for them to snooze unsupervised, be sure to make it inaccessible before you go away.
• Temperature: Whether there's a heatwave on its way or you're in for a cold spell, make sure the temperature inside the house will be comfortable and consistent for your kitty.
• Harmful objects: Safely store away items such as wires, sharp objects, or glass ornaments.
• Harmful food: Double check all harmful human food (and human medication) is kept out of paws’ reach.
• Poisonous plants: Do not leave your cat alone in the home with potentially fatal flowers like lilies, which can cause acute renal failure for cats.

Check in on them: Along with these provisions and precautions, we always recommend asking a family member or neighbor to check in on your cat if you're planning to be away for an extended period of time. All they need to do is pop in to make sure everything is still in place for you pussycat and, if they’re really kind, they could even give your feline some fuss.

Related article: 5 ways to stop cats escaping from the garden

Meet our veterinary expert, Aisling

This article has been checked by veterinarian Aisling O’Keeffe MVB CertSAM ISFMCertAdvFB. Aisling qualified as a vet 7 years ago from University College Dublin. She has worked in a mixture of UK small animal hospitals along with Irish practices. She worked for 3 years in a feline-only hospital where she further developed her feline medicine and surgery skills. She currently lives and works in a small animal hospital in Cork, Ireland.

If you’re looking for true peace of mind while you’re away, then getting a cat sitter could be the answer. Whether it’s one night, one week, or a whole human year, there are plenty of pet lovers at TrustedHousesitters who’ll happily stay in your home and keep your kitty company while you’re away. Nothing has to change for your feline friend; they can snooze in the same sunny spot, battle with the post as it comes through the letterbox, and enjoy snuggling up next to their pet sitter on their much-loved sofa. Sitting purely for the love of pets, the members of our caring community never charge, so you can be sure your cat is safe at home with a true cat lover like you.