How Long Can You Actually Leave a Cat Alone? A Veterinarian’s Guide to Feline Solitude

We’re all used to thinking that, among all the domestic animals, it’s the dogs that can get really attached to their owner, while cats often prefer spending time on their own.

However, numerous studies show that each cat has its own perception of the bond with their owner, which is why it can be more or less difficult for them to stay at home all alone. In fact, scientists suggest the majority of cats feel lonely and miss their owner when left alone for a significant amount of time.

How Long Can Your Cat Stay Alone?

Though it mostly depends on your cat’s character, experts say spending one night alone in the house doesn’t seem like a big deal for the animal on average.

However, if you leave for several days, it’s not recommended to let the cat be on its own for more than 48 hours: since cats are vulnerable when it comes to big changes in their daily routine, they can get stressed and anxious once they stop seeing their owner frequently.

Apart from that, if something significant happens (like lack of food in the bowl or spilled water) and there’s no one around, the animal will likely feel even more disturbed.

Is It Possible to Leave Kittens Alone?

According to experts, people owning small cats can leave them alone depending on their age. That said, before the kitten turns three months old, it’s better to stay around all the time; once they reach the age of three months, you can leave them in the house alone for up to six hours.

When the cat is eight months old, it can stay alone for half a day. Usually, the cat learns to stay on its own in the house only after it turns one year old.