TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Care & Grooming › Worried About Leaving Cat Alone
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Worried About Leaving Cat Alone

post #1 of 15
5/31/11 at 5:55am
Thread Starter 
Good morning, everyone!

I recently accepted my first full-time position, and I'm a little worried about leaving my Zoey alone for so long every day. I'll be gone at least 8 hours a day, five days a week, for the summer (it's an internship). As a student, I've been around almost all the time since I adopted her in March, so I know that this will be a major change for her.

I've left her alone for that length of time only a couple times, and it was all right, but of course I know that doing so consistently is a much different ballgame.

Do you have any advice to make the transition easier?

Thank you!!
Reply
post #2 of 15
5/31/11 at 1:46pm
She'll mostly sleep while you're gone. Maybe leave a radio on low. Does she have a good window to look out of? She'll be fine! But you are such a good meowmy for worrying about this.

Robin
Reply
post #3 of 15
5/31/11 at 1:51pm
I cried the first time I left mine alone to go to work

I agree - a radio on softly, to either something like NPR or maybe light classical or new agey type music (I leave my on demand new age station on). I have cat trees near windows so they can watch out the window.

Maybe the first few days, until she puts together the new schedule, leave some nice smelly unwashed tee shirts around, so she can snuggle in your scent. Don't make a big deal when you leave the house. I've read sometimes it's good to feed them just as you're leaving, so they're distracted by food.

The first day or two may be a little stressful for both of you, but she will start 'knowing' when it's time for you to come home. On my daily schedule, both of mine tend to be hanging by the front door when I arrive home - but when I come hope at an odd hour, I sometimes surprise them napping.

If you can play with her in the morning before you leave, you'll wear her out so she'll nap better. But sometimes our schedules just don't allow it.
Reply
post #4 of 15
5/31/11 at 2:20pm
are you close enough to come home for lunch? That would help a bit. otherwise, leave the TV or a radio on for her. She'd most likely nap while you're gone anyway!
Reply
post #5 of 15
5/31/11 at 2:57pm
I wouldn't worry. I leave these two alone for my 13hr shift uneventfully.

I can tell you exactly what they do while I'm gone, as a I have them displayed on my rightmost third monitor at work all day.



They drink and pee/poop 1% of the time, run around and chase each other and toys 2% of the time, they sit by or smack their auto-feeder 7% of the time, they stare out various windows from their shelves for 10% of the time, and the remaining 80% of the time they snoooooooooze. Tough life!

It also explains why when you come back they are lightning bolts of energy, as they are super well rested and so run all around the house at mach 10 and want to play-play-play!
Reply
post #6 of 15
5/31/11 at 4:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you so much for your replies!

I'll definitely remember to leave music on and clothes out. She does have quite a few windowsills to perch herself on, so at least there's that, and feeding her right before I leave is a great idea, too! I never would have thought of that.

Where I'll be working is only just a bit too far away to make coming home at lunch a worthwhile visit. I wish it was closer, though! It would pretty much eliminate my worries if I could break up her alone time a little.

Thanks again for your advice! Hopefully this will all help make it easier for her
Reply
post #7 of 15
5/31/11 at 6:00pm
If you leave the TV on put Animal Planet on. My cats love Animal Planet. Get a few cat toys to occupy time (for the cat ).


.
Reply
post #8 of 15
6/2/11 at 6:58pm
I felt the exact same way I still go home every single lunch break to visit & make sure they're okay (though, I also live five minutes away lol!).

Congratulations on your internship!!
Reply
post #9 of 15
6/2/11 at 8:14pm
I think our boys like when we are gone! No one bothers them, they can pass out wherever they want, and they dont have to entertain us with all of that petting nonsense...
Reply
post #10 of 15
6/3/11 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katkuddler View Post
If you leave the TV on put Animal Planet on. My cats love Animal Planet. Get a few cat toys to occupy time (for the cat )
I leave Animal Planet on too when I am gone. Zoey will be alright. I hate leaving mine too. Maybe get into a routine before you leave such as playing interactives with Zoey and then leave a treat ball. You can get those at any pet store and you fill them with a few treats. Good luck with your internship
Reply
post #11 of 15
6/5/11 at 4:12am
Congratulations Zoey!

I have light classical music playing while I'm gone. I also leave out a couple of fresh treats for each. They have plenty of places to look outside if they want. I know my babies sleep a lot during the day, which explains why there are so full of it during the evening. You will both be fine.
Reply
post #12 of 15
6/8/11 at 12:00pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you!! I know I am so excited to finally get started in my field

I'm feeling better about leaving her alone after all of your replies! My cousin suggested getting a second cat so that they would keep each other company, which is what she had done. I am considering that, especially since I had already wanted to do so at some point in the future, but I haven't decided whether to act on it, yet. I start Monday, so I'm not sure that would leave enough time to properly choose a kitty and go through the proper procedures for introducing her/him to Zoey.

Thank you so much for your replies I hope everyone is staying cool in this heat!
Reply
post #13 of 15
6/9/11 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoey602 View Post
My cousin suggested getting a second cat so that they would keep each other company, which is what she had done. I am considering that, especially since I had already wanted to do so at some point in the future, but I haven't decided whether to act on it, yet.
A second cat eases so many problems. I hope you decide to do that!
Reply
post #14 of 15
6/11/11 at 8:18am
I leave my 2 from 7am to 6pm (long commute) without issues. If I decide to drop by friends house after work, I'm back by 9pm. When they just came home at 3 months, it was tough. Now at 6 months no problems at all. They do bounce off walls when I'm back so I make sure to play play play.

I had one cat before these siblings and always felt he needed more attention/friends. That's why I brought home two after he passed away. So much better! ... But more work too.

I would suggest two for those who are out of house for full days like me. I know it's too late for you, but I would always suggest siblings who like each other.
Reply
post #15 of 15
6/11/11 at 2:52pm
Google or search the forum stickies here for cat introductions. They can be a pain in the butt at first, but once acclimated and of similar temperaments, they can be best buds and I definitely recommend two kitties for people that aren't home all the time.

Twice the food cost and sometimes vet cost, but it addresses my concern for boredom/loneliness for em as I see em playing and sleeping together while I'm gone for all but 8-9hrs of the day. Even when I'm home they love chasing and wrestling each other especially at dawn which I think is great mental and physical stimulation to keep em fit.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Care & Grooming
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Care & Grooming › Worried About Leaving Cat Alone