Behaviourist confirms how long you can really leave your cat alone

If you are planning to visit friends and family or planning a holiday weekend away, you may be wondering what to do with your cat and if it is okay to leave them home alone. Cats have a reputation for being independent and even a little aloof, turning their noses up at treats or ignoring you when you come home. But behind their cool exterior lies a more complicated truth.

While they may seem unfazed when you’re away, and of course some are, other cats experience your absence as a real emotional disruption, just as a dog would. So, how long can a cat truly be left alone without causing them any emotional distress? Unlike dogs, cats do have a busy schedule of napping and grooming, which does take up much of their time, particularly for older cats. Unlike  dogs, most cats can handle a few hours by themselves just fine. They’re experts at self-entertainment and are usually quite happy to while away the hours snoozing blissfully in their favourite spot. But for exactly how long?

A single night alone is usually no issue, provided your cat is an adult and comfortable in its environment. Beyond that, though, experts agree: you shouldn’t leave a cat completely alone for more than 24 to 48 hours.

Veterinary behaviourist Mikel Delgado says cats are deeply sensitive to changes in routine and extended absences can lead to stress, anxiety, or even behavioural problems.

And something unexpected happens,  like a health issue, a spilled water bowl, or a dirty litter box, no one will be there to help. Leaving a cat alone for five days, or even longer, is never a safe option unless someone checks in regularly.

And the rules are different for kittens who don’t have the maturity or self-control of adult cats to cope with being alone. Before three months old, they shouldn’t be left alone for more than 20 minutes, as they can easily get into danger.

At three months to six hours, it is acceptable to leave them for longer, and by eight months, when they are usually fully grown, a half-day alone is fine.

Speaking to French science magazine Futura, Mikel warns: “Only once they reach about a year old can they comfortably handle a full day without distress.

“Whatever their age, it’s important to teach independence gradually to prevent stress or insecurity from building up.”

Mikel says it is important to prepare your cat if you are going to leave them alone. He says: “If you’ll be gone for one or two days, plan ahead.

“Make sure your cat has fresh water, enough food, a clean litter box, toys, climbing spots, and familiar items that carry your scent. Close off dangerous rooms, remove toxic plants, and put away anything sharp or small enough to swallow.

“A safe home helps reduce risks, but nothing replaces human contact. The best solution is to have a trusted friend or pet sitter stop by daily — to feed, clean up, check on their health, and give them some attention. It’s the surest way to keep your cat calm, secure, and happy until you return.”

Dr. Mikel Delgado is a renowned animal behaviour scientist and certified cat behaviour consultant with over 20 years of experience. She is the author of Play With Your Cat!