Leaving your cat alone - How long and how to keep it occupied ?

 

Often, the accelerated pace of our daily lives does not allow us to devote all the time we would like to our cats. As a result, most domestic cats spend long hours alone, which can lead to symptoms of boredom and an accumulation of stress.

In addition to behavioral problems, a sedentary lifestyle is a serious risk factor for many diseases in cats, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems. In addition, remember that a stimulated cat during the day means better nights sleep for its guardian(s).

Your cat spends a lot of time alone and you are wondering how to keep him occupied while you are away? How to keep your cat occupied? You've come to the right page! In this article from The Pretty Pets we offer you some practical and effective tips to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated during your absence.

1-How long can a cat be left alone at home?

When adopting a cat, many future guardians are seduced by the independence of this animal, one of the characteristics of felines. On the other hand, one should not apply this characteristic to the extreme and think that it is normal to leave one's cat alone at home for long periods of time without this having any consequences on its mental health and well-being.

But then, how long can a cat be left alone at home? It all depends on the cat's character! If your cat is rather solitary, you can leave him alone for a maximum of 2 to 3 days, but if, on the contrary, your cat is very "glue-pot", leaving him alone for one day is more than enough.

2- Enriching your cat's environment

How to take good care of a cat? When a cat is left alone and has no one to play with, it is very important that it has games that keep it busy, an enriched environment to exercise its body and mind and thus not get bored. The concept of environmental enrichment is very broad and includes different factors that allow us to offer a better quality of life to our cat. To enrich your cat's environment, he can use objects (cat toy against boredom, scratching posts, cat tree, hiding places) and sensory stimuli, such as smells, images and interactive toys that awaken and stimulate the cat's senses.

However, it is very important not to overload your cat's environment so as not to confuse it or limit its circulation space. Feeding, grooming, resting and entertainment areas must be well separated from each other to allow for better hygiene and respect the cat's needs.

3-Toys and accessories to occupy a cat alone

In pet stores you will find many toys for house cats, scratching posts, hiding places and fun structures for cats. However, you can also use your creativity to make your own toys to amuse and tire your cat, using recycled materials.

On the other hand, don't forget that cats are capable of playing with a simple cardboard box to make their hiding place, especially if you can place it in the highest places of the house, which are the ones the cat prefers.

We must remember the importance of ensuring the cat's safety when choosing or making a toy. We must not offer objects that are too small or contain too many small parts or decorations. These objects can get stuck in the cat's throat, creating a choking hazard. In addition, the ingestion of foreign and non-digestible bodies promotes the development of irritations and diseases of the digestive tract, such as gastritis.

We must also make sure that playing is not frustrating for our cat. Laser tracking games, for example, offer prey that is inaccessible to the cat, which generates frustration and irritability after many hours of play. Positive and fun activities for a cat are those that allow it to exercise its instincts and enjoy success in achieving its goal.

4-Visual stimuli

How to take care of a cat when we are not there? The easiest way to visually stimulate a cat alone is to leave a window open so that it can watch what's going on outside. Ideally, the cat should observe the movements of people and other animals, as well as the natural stimuli of the environment. But it is important that this view is not directed towards inaccessible prey, such as pigeons or other birds, as this would create a feeling of frustration in our cat.

5-Olfactive stimulation

Your cat's sense of smell is incredibly powerful and plays an important role in his understanding of the world and his interactions with his environment. It is therefore very important to stimulate this sense of smell in our cats. The famous catnip (or catnip) is often very effective in stimulating the sense of smell of domestic cats.

6-And what if my cat gets bored playing alone?

If you spend a lot of time away from home, the cat may get tired of playing alone with the same toys and show signs of boredom again. If this happens, it may be time to think about giving her a partner of her own. However, it is very important that you get to know your cat or kitten's personality and ask yourself if living with another individual will be beneficial to him or her. If you find that your cat has good social skills, you may want to adopt another cat so that they can have fun together while you are away.

It is important to remember that it is essential that the cat be properly socialized with other felines, so that it accepts as much as possible the arrival of a new cat on its territory. In addition, it will be necessary to know how to introduce the new cat to your feline correctly, in order to stimulate a good cohabitation in your home.

Also remember that your cats should not be forced to share their objects and their environment, and that each of them should therefore have their own toys, feeders, waterers, litter boxes and rest areas.

7-Don't forget to enjoy every moment with your cat.

While you provide the best in indoor cat toys, boredom toys and sensory stimuli to your feline, his physical and mental well-being will also depend on the attention and love you give him every day. So don't let yourself be overwhelmed by fatigue or stress after a hard day's work. Set aside half an hour a day to play with your cat and create quality moments that will do a lot of good for both of you.

There are many simple and fun activities you can do with your cat, such as playing ball or hide-and-seek, using the "magic wand" to stimulate his hunting instinct, or offering him a "cat fish game" by throwing his favorite toy attached to a string to arouse his curiosity and desire to catch his "prey". Don't forget to reinforce your kitten with a treat or a caress to recognize her effort and encourage her to continue learning and discover new experiences.