Veterinarians confirm: Here’s how to prepare before leaving your cat home alone

As far as felines and canines go, cats are definitely the more independent of the two house pets. As such, many people feel confident leaving their furry companions alone for more extended periods of time. Still, cats are social creatures and seek the emotional support of their human companions as well, so it’s important that they don’t suffer when left alone for too long.

According to specialist Vanessa Diaz of ExpertoAnimal, symptoms of separation anxiety in cats include excessive meowing, defecating in random places, vomiting, scratching furniture or other destructive behaviors, as well as compulsive grooming. Some can experience a change in appetite or hide due to an emotional reaction.

Fortunately, there are some steps we can take ahead of time to alleviate the emotional stress for our kitties when we’re apart from them for long periods of time.

Get your cat used to the idea

It’s important to do everything we can to eliminate the emotional stress from our cats as much as possible, as it can severely affect their quality of life if not. We need to start preparing our cats for the time apart, without bringing on the change in its routine suddenly.

According to director of the Dame Vida organization for the Agronegocios website, Eccehomo Villar, the time that a cat can stay by itself depends greatly on its age, as well as the adaptation process. Kittens and younger cats need much more attention than older cats, for example. In fact, it’s recommended that cats younger than four months old not be left alone at all for more than a few hours. As they get older and more accustomed to solitude, the time alone can gradually be extended. A six-month old cat can likely be alone for a full working day without an issue. But it is very important that this change be brought on gradually, rather than being with the cat all the time to suddenly leaving it alone for a whole day or more, which can result in serious emotional stress for the cat.

It can also greatly help the cat to have interactions with other people like family members or friends before leaving it. Another thing that helps get the cat accustomed to us leaving is if we leave for short periods of time, so the cat knows that we will always come back again, and begins to get used to it.

Create a “goodbye” routine for your cat

Another strategy to lessen cats' anxieties when left alone for extended periods of time is to associate our leaving with something positive. For example, playing relaxing, instrumental music creates a calming atmosphere for the cat that it will then associate with the presence of its owner.

It’s also a great idea to leave toys around and hide treats around the house so that the cat will stay entertained when you’re not around to entertain it yourself. Diaz recommends putting catnip inside some of the cats' favorite toys, and then put those toys in the bag that you’ll take with you when you leave. In that way, the cat associates the bag with something positive, rather than just with your absence.

Safety first

Obviously, you’ll need to make sure your cat has enough food and water to last it for the time you’ll be away. This is extremely important. The cat should have access to food and water in at least two different areas of the house, separate from each other. The litter box should also be far from its food and water. That way, if one tips over, your cat will have access to food and water in another location.

All doors and windows to the outside should be closed completely to avoid the cat getting out. If the windows are left open, they should have the kind of screen or net made for cats. Typical mosquito nets are not typically sufficient to keep cats from getting out of the window. In the summer months, it’s important to keep the blinds down so that the house does not get too hot. You should not leave the cat inside one single room, especially when it is very hot.

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Giving your cat a daily routine is the most important thing to build its confidence and sense of security. And when you are home, it’s important to bond with your cat, spending time with it playing, petting it, or just being present with it. The above tips will help to alleviate the separation anxiety for your cat. As for the human, that’s another story.

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