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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Leaving cat alone all day?

36 replies

crummyusername · 27/03/2021 21:58

Hi - DSs (13 and 10) are absolutely desperate for a cat. I know nothing at all about cat ownership. Obviously I'll do some research but one thing I'd like to know before I even start is whether a cat could be left all day + evening? Once my office reopens I may well have 1-2 days a week when I'm out 7.30am till 11pm or so. I also tend to go out for several hours at the weekend. (Separated from exDH so he lives separatly and kids will be with him the days I'm out). Is this at all workable? I'm thinking slightly older rescue cat rather than kitten.

OP posts:
Athinginitself · 27/03/2021 22:03

Probably if you are around a decent amount at other times. Cats are independent but they do need company, and feeding (you can get automatic cat feeders you could set for dinner though) litter trays changing, letting in and out (or get a cat flap to make your life easier!) I prefer not to leave mine for huge lengths of time as they are more settled when we are around and like to know where we are, but that's at least partly because I'm around a lot so it's what they are used to.

reindeesandchristmastrees · 27/03/2021 22:07

I think it depends on the cat TBH. If you are going to leave the cat for long periods (with access to litter tray, food, outside space?) it may well be better to get a bonded pair and I think most rescue organisations struggle sometimes to get pairs a suitable home. On the other days will you be around more?

IrenetheQuaint · 27/03/2021 22:07

I will be in a similar situation with my cat when I go back to the office and life reopens - I do worry about it a bit, but she goes outside so does get stimulation elsewhere. The rescue should be able to find you a suitable independent cat.

Bunnybigears · 27/03/2021 22:09

Get 2 already bonded rescue cats not kittens and they will be fine.

Beamur · 27/03/2021 22:10

Cats do a lot of sleeping!
An older cat might appreciate the peace and quiet.
Or get a bonded pair so they have each other for company. I have a pair of sisters and they play, fight and snuggle together.

Original poster
crummyusername · 27/03/2021 22:11

Eek, not sure I could deal with / afford two, but I'll look into it. Do you really think that's necessary?

I can fit a catflap so they'd have access outdoors, and on the other days I'd be WFH and kids would be around after school.

OP posts:
Beamur · 27/03/2021 22:13

It's not strictly necessary.
The rescue can match you up with a suitable kitty.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/03/2021 22:14

My cats are perfectly happy left all day. (I do 12.5 hour shifts) I have a camera so I know they just sleep all day.

Wolfiefan · 27/03/2021 22:14

I wouldn’t get a single cat and leave it that long.
TBH sounds like you don’t really want a cat. Don’t get a pet just because the kids want one. A cat could live 20 years. The kids won’t be feeding it and flea treating it and sorting the litter tray for 20 years.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/03/2021 22:15

Cats are the most wonderful pets. You'll wonder why it took you so long to get one.

AllTheWayFromLondonDAMN · 27/03/2021 22:15

Our toms go out all night and tend to stay in and sleep all day, they self regulate because we have a cat flap. We have a schedule where a few days a week there’s no one in and they’re fine with it, although when we are in all day they like to spend time with us, sitting on our laps and struggling up with one of us on the sofa etc. I’ve had cats all of my life and they’ve all been pretty similar in terms of temperament when it comes to people being in the house.

BIWI · 27/03/2021 22:16

You definitely need a catflap!

Ours are up with us when we get up and have their first feed. Then they mostly sleep during the day (with odd periods to go outside for the toilet/a bit of playing) and then are awake to be fed/play in the early evening, before they sleep again. (Have no idea what they do when we're in bed!)

Cats are very self sufficient. We have two, brother and sister, but they're not especially close or reliant on each other. But we like the fact that in extremis they have each other.

EmmaC78 · 27/03/2021 22:16

A cat will be fine left for that long. They are very independent so even if you are home will probably ignore you for a large portion of the day anyway until they want food :)

Cotswoldmama · 27/03/2021 22:16

It would be completely fine alone for that long as long as you leave out enough food and water and it has access to a cat flap. You definitely don't need to get a second unless you want a second. If you think you'll want another cat in the future you'd be better getting two now as introducing a new cat can be a nightmare!

Want2beme · 27/03/2021 22:17

I think that cats do like us being present, even when they're in another room to usGrin. But, I'm also of a mind that there aren't enough good homes for rescue cats, and if you can give an older puss a loving, warm home, that's a very good thing. You're giving it a lot of consideration before you go ahead, and that's great. You can leave a couple of litter trays out for him/her on the days you'll be out, get an automatic feeder for wet food and leave dry food out for the whole day. An older cat normally likes to sleep most of the day, but you can get some toys and a cat tree for whilst you're out and have a little play when you are at home. Good luck. I hope you find your golden oldie soon. They are a joy to have.

Beamur · 27/03/2021 22:17

To be fair one of my cats would be fine with that arrangement but the other two would not. They're unreasonably needy though!

Original poster
crummyusername · 27/03/2021 22:18

If it wasn't for the kids, I wouldn't be considering it. I do like cats and had one growing up though, and feel sad for my kids they're not getting the experience of having a pet. It's not something I'll enter into lightly.

Part of the thought behind an adult cat was that I don't want the 20 year commitment, so an older cat would avoid that.

OP posts:
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 27/03/2021 22:19

IME that would be fine for very many adult rescue cats. Just be upfront with rescues of what you can offer and they'll know which cats are the best fit.

Bargebill19 · 27/03/2021 22:20

Several litter trays, times feeding bowls, plenty of water bowls, toys, cat beds, heating and out the radio or tv on for them. Cat flap if they are going to be allowed out.
Yes should be ok. Cats are quite independent.
But can you afford one or even really want one yourself? Vet’s and insurance plus worming and flea treatment and food etc are not exactly cheap. Are you willing to look after the cat yourself?

Wolfiefan · 27/03/2021 22:21

Honestly if you’re not really bothered then I wouldn’t be getting a cat.

Original poster
crummyusername · 27/03/2021 22:21

This is all reassuring, thanks. I'd hope that with an adult cat it's easier to know their temperament? The rescues round here seem to have very few cats, though I'd not be looking for a good few months anyway.

OP posts:
Beamur · 27/03/2021 22:22

Cats are pretty low maintenance pets. But it's well worth insuring them, keep up with vaccinations and a decent food. Keeping them healthy makes for a more content cat and less vet bills.

Doveyouknow · 27/03/2021 22:41

Most cats would be fine with that. It would be better if you had a cat flap so the cat can get in and out otherwise access to a litter tray. You can also get automatic feeders.

MrsFin · 27/03/2021 22:44

We leave our cat at home alone when we go on holiday. She's fine. The little girl next door feeds her twice a day, and gives her some love if she's around.
It always takes DCat 24 hours to start speaking to us again though, when we get home.

jeannie46 · 27/03/2021 22:58

My 2 rescue brothers sleep most of the day and wake up at night so if your cat is similar they'd barely notice your absence at work.

I put food down when they wake ( 8-10pm ish) and then leave them a meal to eat during the night / early morning. ( Plus dried food.)

They come and go through the cat flap at will. No litter trays after the first few weeks when they were kept in. You need to be aware that some, especially rescue, cats may need quite a long time before they will settle and trust you. Think months at least.

NB I thought I could feed them together but of course I can't because they don't have exactly the same habits. So, I fill up their plates as above and then again when I get up but they may or may not eat then/later...

Food which is rejected / not eaten etc is put out for the birds/ foxes/ badger. Before you ask, cats cannot be starved into submission. If they don't fancy tuna today, they don't, no matter how hungry they are or how much they liked it yesterday. Oh and they don't take orders or even understand the concept at all.

So you could follow a similar schedule. I also have 2 Catmate cat feeders which are wonderful for those times when you need to leave them for longer. ( upto 4 days ). I wouldn't put the cats into a cattery because it would freak them out. They are territorial animals and need to stay put / wander round their territory and keep other cats at bay. My neighbour/son will check up on them.

One of mine sleeps indoors ( mainly ), one will go out whatever the weather and sleep under a bush etc. It has to be very rainy, cold, windy to stop him going out. ( He also will hunt but doesn't bring his voles back anymore, thank goodness.)

From 2 timid not to say terrified cats who hid all the time, they are now lovely and friendly but it takes time. They take me for walks down the road ( the neighbours think I'm mad ), can spend huge amounts of time being brushed and stroked only to see me in the garden and freak out and rush away. That's cats for you.

Very rewarding and don't worry, they'll train you in no time.