With spring 2022 quick approaching, journey is likely to be in your schedule. Whereas it is good to think about a world the place our cats can accompany us anyplace, the fact is that it is usually greatest to go away your four-legged family members at house. You is likely to be questioning: how lengthy can you allow a cat alone? Do cats get bored?
Cats are famously unbiased – particularly when in comparison with canines – however that does not imply that your cat could be content material to reside by herself on a regular basis. Understanding a cat’s character and making certain her primary wants are met will enable you to really feel assured that she resides her greatest life even when you need to be aside.
1. Arrange your cat’s litter field for achievement
In the beginning in the event you’re leaving your cat at house for any period of time, you may wish to make certain she has an satisfactory place to potty when nature calls. Most conventional litter containers cannot go greater than a day or two with out scooping or cleansing. Leaving clay or clumping litter sitting soiled in a field for longer than that may trigger some potent odor, and worse, can discourage your cat from going within the field, which implies she is likely to be pressured and also you would possibly come house to a smelly mess someplace in your house. A method round that is to get a second litter field. Nonetheless, this could typically lead to twice as a lot scooping whenever you return house. To keep away from this, attempt a self-cleaning automated litter field. As a result of the field mechanically rakes waste out of sight and absorbs fluid and odors, your cat will get a constantly clear place to go, and you may be assured there will not be any sudden surprises left round the home! Should you’re leaving your cat for greater than a day, particularly in case your cat is older, contemplate a wise litter field. Greater than only a self-cleaning field, a wise litter field connects to your smartphone and allows you to hold tabs in your cat’s potty habits. As any vet will inform you, monitoring how usually your cat visits the litter field is a vital approach to catch early warning indicators of potential well being issues. Thus a wise litter field is an revolutionary approach to keep watch over your cat’s well being, 24/7.
2. Do not disrupt your cat’s consuming routine
Cats thrive on consistency. Offering a secure setting and every day schedule on your cat will assist her really feel protected and cozy in your house, even whenever you’re not round. That is particularly necessary relating to meals. An automated pet feeder is the proper method to make sure your cat’s eating routine would not miss a beat. And to take your cat’s culinary calendar up a notch, contemplate a wise pet feeder that permits you to schedule meals, set meal sizes and even provide snacks on demand, all out of your smartphone.
3. Maintain your cat’s water constantly recent
Some cats may be fairly choosy relating to their ingesting water. A bowl unnoticed for greater than a day would possibly acquire mud, hair or different particles. After a day or two, water would possibly begin to style stale and even begin to develop bacterial progress. Simply as you do not wish to sip that tumbler of water that sat in your nightstand all evening, your cat additionally prefers water that is recent and clear. Moreover, cats choose water that is transferring. With a pet fountain, your cat will all the time have recent, filtered flowing water whether or not you are at house or not. Like a water bowl that continuously refreshes itself, a cat fountain will guarantee your cat drinks a wholesome quantity of water each day.
4. Maintain your cat entertained with toys
One factor your cat could miss most whenever you’re aside is the chance to play with you. Whereas nothing can substitute high quality time collectively, there may be a formidable number of toys obtainable to indulge your cat’s instinctive urge to hunt, pounce and play whilst you’re away, stopping boredom and holding her energetic. Basic toys like plush catnip mice, bell toys and even cardboard containers can entertain some cats for hours. However in the event you actually wish to deliver some pleasure whilst you’re gone, interactive digital toys are the very best toys for bored cats. These ingenious toys have transferring components that stimulate a cat’s predatory drive to maintain her engaged. And with settings to mechanically activate and off at totally different instances, your cat will get enjoyable, sudden play surprises by way of the day. Automated laser toys mix automated motion with the cat-favorite laser dot to present your cat a enjoyable goal to chase whilst you’re gone. Automated toys are an effective way to make sure your cat will get some bodily and psychological train whenever you’re not there to play along with her.
5. Give your cat one thing to look at
When contemplating how one can entertain a cat, there’s extra than simply toys! Partaking your cat’s visible curiosity is an effective way to ensure she’s not becoming bored whilst you’re out. One of the simplest ways to do that is to present her a view with reside critters she will be able to watch. A fish tank is a traditional method to do that – simply make certain it is completely cat-proofed with a sturdy base and prime so your cat cannot tip it or dip her paw in! Offering cat furnishings close to a window will permit your cat to look at the world go by. Professional tip: arrange chicken feeders exterior to encourage feathered pals to placed on a present. If an aquarium or avian efficiency shouldn’t be an choice, there’s a technological resolution. “Cat TV” consists of movies designed only for cats, with chirping birds, scampering squirrels, swimming fish and extra. Not all cats will reply to movies, however many are enthralled to see tantalizing birds hopping round on the display screen.
6. Examine in in your cat with tech
With pet cameras that connect with your smartphone, you possibly can verify in your cat any time you need and typically even speak to her! Think about establishing a cam within the room or rooms the place your cat spends most of her time and you may see what she’s as much as at any hour of the day or evening. Realizing you possibly can verify on her any time provides you with peace of thoughts.
7. Get a cat sitter for longer journeys
So how lengthy can cats be left alone? The reply finally depends upon whether or not you or somebody you belief can cease by for an in-person check-in. Leaving cats alone for 3 days or extra may be executed safely and responsibly, however for journeys this lengthy or longer, it is best to have a cat sitter. This might vary from somebody staying over at your own home to somebody dropping in as soon as each couple days to ensure every part is so as. You will have a trusted pal who will gladly assist, but when not, don’t fret! Your veterinarian, groomer or breeder could have suggestions. There are additionally apps and web sites that can assist you discover a good match in your space. The Nationwide Affiliation of Pet Sitters is one such group, connecting you with professionally licensed pet sitters in your neighborhood. If you’re hiring a brand new pet sitter (slightly than a detailed pal or member of the family) NAAPS recommends selecting knowledgeable who’s bonded, insured and licensed to make sure you can belief this individual with your property and particularly along with your cat’s well being and security.
8. Think about including one other cat to the household
Should you plan to be away from house routinely within the foreseeable future, equivalent to for a job requiring weekly journey, you would possibly wish to contemplate adopting a second cat to maintain your buddy firm whilst you’re away. Introducing a brand new cat to your loved ones is a giant step and a lifelong dedication, so you may wish to take the time to suppose, plan and put together earlier than bringing a brand new cat house. Cats should not all the time quick pals – it takes a while to know what the connection will appear to be between cats. Should you’re affected person, watchful and proactive with the introduction, you possibly can add a brand new cherished one to your loved ones and make sure that each cats will get pleasure from each other’s firm when left at house collectively.
