Leaving Cats Alone

[Troy98]

I was told that you can leave a cat alone if you are going away for a weekend, as long as you give them enough food and water for the time you are gone. Is this true? Can you really leave them alone for a couple days? and if so how many? The thought of leaving my cat alone for 8 hours when I go to work gives me stress, am I completly crazy? Looking forward to a response!

[jessi76]

I know some people who do leave their cat(s) alone for a night or 2. Using timer food dishes.

Personally, I don't do it. If I go away, even for a night, I arrange for someone to stop by to feed them, scoop the box, and give them some attention.

as we all know, it takes no time at all for something to go very wrong. a problem with your home, an injury, an illness, etc... I feel better knowing a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor will stop by to check everything is on the "up & up" and be certain my cats are well.

I don't worry about the 8 hr work day though... my cats are older now, and generally sleep all day.

[Hunter's_owner]

Yeah I would have someone drop in to check on them for sure. I know someone who had something very very bad go wrong due to leaving her cats alone over night. Better to be safe than sorry, imo

[jiorji]

crikey!

if you leave more than one cat alone with "adequate" food for more than a day, one will eat more than needed and another will eat less. And what about the litter box? THey don't have self cleaning ones. If a cat's litter box gets dirty, and the human is gone for the weekend(let's say), human will return to a house full of poop and cat pee. It's not just about the food.

I've left my cats alone for a week, but someone comes in twice(or more) a day to feed and play with them and clean out the litter box.

[jessi76]

Originally Posted by jiorji

if you leave more than one cat alone with "adequate" food for more than a day, one will eat more than needed and another will eat less. And what about the litter box? THey don't have self cleaning ones.

there actually are auto-cleaning litter boxes, and food dishes on timers. granted, I don't choose to use them, but they do exist.

[dogcatharmony]

I also have left my cats alone for a weekend, but I always have someone look in on them. I also have worked many double shifts and when I get home they sort of greet me and look like they are saying "bout time you showed up, we got tired of sleeping alone".

[happycats]

Okay, this may sound bad to some here. But I left my 6 cats alone every week-end (in the summer months) to go to a trailer.
we left friday night, and were home sunday afternoon. We did this for 10 years.

My cat's were fine, lots of dry food and water were left out for them and I had 5 large litter boxes at the time (scoop just before we left, and as soon as we returned)
If it was a long week-end or longer I would have someone come in.

I tried taking them with us on a few occasions, but found that this created such stress for them that I felt they were happier and safer at home.

[micks_mom]

we once left our (single) cat alone overnight and simply filled up his water dish & food bowl & cleaned his litter box the minute before we left. We felt since he was the only cat he wouldn't be fighting for his dinner and drink. We were gone from about 6pm Friday until 4pm Saturday. He seemed fine and was just happy to see us....even when we're home he just usually curls up on the end of the bed in the other room, so we didn't think he'd miss us much. But if you have more than one cat or will be gone the whole weekend, I would have someone come in.

[Inisfad]

I've left cats alone for a weekend with plenty of food, water, extra litterpans, etc., with no problem, but always thought it was a good idea for a neighbor or someone just to check to make sure everything was ok - they didn't have to do anything other than keep an eye out that nothing went awry.

[Shamrock]

I've known lots of people who have left their cats alone for a weekend..( no longer) without any problems whatsoever.
I have always had someone come in to check on mine at least once a day.. it just gives me more peace of mind.
As it sounds like would worry a lot.. I'd say this is the best solution for you.

[Stacer]

If we're going to be gone for more than 2 nights we either bring them with us or have a friend come and check on them. We've been lucky that they don't mind being in the car so we've taken them with us on many occasions.