How long can cats be left alone?

One of the joys of owning a cat is their self-sufficiency. Unlike dogs, cats don’t need walks and are often content spending a few hours alone. But what happens if you’re planning to be away overnight, for the weekend, or longer? How long can a cat be left alone safely?

The answer depends on your cat and how long you’re planning to be away from them. 

Kittens, cats with medical conditions or those needing regular medication shouldn’t be left alone for more than a few hours. 

Healthy, adult cats can usually cope with short absences, such as during a working day. But anything longer – like a weekend trip or your summer holiday – and they’ll need someone to look after them.

Experts recommend never leaving an adult cat home alone for more than 24 hours. Left alone for too long, cats can get into all sorts of trouble. They might have a healthcare emergency, eat something they shouldn’t or injure themselves. They can also develop stress-related behaviours.

If necessary, most cats can cope with one night alone, provided they have access to plenty of food, fresh water, toys and a clean litter tray.

For multiple-cat households, it’s still not a good idea to leave your cats alone for more than 24 hours. While they might keep each other company, feeding, litter maintenance and monitoring for health issues still requires human check-ins.

As kittens under 12 weeks need frequent meals, monitoring and interaction, leaving them alone for even a few hours can be risky. As they’re very active at this age, longer periods of solitude can stress out the kitten, leading to frustration and unwanted behaviours. If you have to go away for more than a few hours, ask a neighbour, friend or pet sitter to pop in and check on them.

By 12 weeks, most kittens can handle short periods alone. And by the time they reach one year, most healthy cats can handle an overnight absence if necessary. But leaving them for more than 24 hours is not recommended.

If you need to leave your adult cat overnight, prepare your home carefully:

• Make sure clean litter trays are easily accessible
• Remove hazards such as small toys or string 
• Wedge doors open to prevent your cat from getting trapped
• Provide plenty of fresh food and water, using multiple bowls in case one spills

It’s also important to make sure your cat has enough entertainment and enrichment. A good scratching post will reduce the risk of your cat damaging furniture or wallpaper while you’re away. Choose a post that’s at least 80cm high, doesn’t wobble and has a vertical or horizontal rope pattern.

Mimicking your cat’s natural feeding behaviours can also stop them from getting bored while you’re away. Try hiding dry biscuits in egg-box compartments for them to find or leave a puzzle feeder or ‘lick mat’ to keep them occupied.

You could also invest in useful technology like a ‘pet cam', so you can see in real time how your cat is doing. If you do notice signs of stress, it’s best to speak with a vet once you’re home. Or – if you have cat insurance with Petplan – use our free Pet Expert Chat feature to get professional advice, 24/7.

Automated feeders are ideal for maintaining mealtime routines and ensuring food stays fresh. Gravity feeders are great for dry food, but if your cat prefers wet food, look for a timed feeder with ice packs inside.

You can also get smart feeders that allow you to control feeding times from your phone. Some even allow video monitoring so you can check that your cat is eating their food. Some feeders only open when they detect your cat’s microchip, which can be useful if you have multiple cats on different diets.

Whichever feeder you choose, train your cat to use it before leaving them alone. While you’re away, maintain their usual feeding schedule as much as possible.

No. Cats should never be left alone unsupervised for more than 24 hours. 

Cats shouldn’t be left alone for longer than 24 hours, unless a friend, neighbour or pet sitter is checking on them.

If you plan to be away for more than one night, someone else should care for your cat. Options include:

• A trusted friend or neighbour checking in twice daily
• A professional cat sitter
• A boarding cattery

Each option has pros and cons, so choose whichever one suits your cat’s temperament and your peace of mind.

Never more than 24 hours. Even with food, you shouldn’t leave your cat for longer than this without supervision.