For how many hours do you leave your cat home alone?

[Clara9283]

A bit of background, I had a cat for more than 10 years, she was a very affectionate cat and loved to cuddle, but also was entirely ok on her own for some hours. That was more than 10 years ago and I consider getting a cat again. The first rescue I checked asked me whether the cat would be alone at home for 4 hours or more at any point at all...apparently this is one of their vetting criterias before they consider me to adapt any of their cats.

I wouldn't leave my cat on her own over night and I wouldn't adopt a cat if I was regularly out all day (I'm not, I WFH full time), but I probably wouldn't have thought twice about going out for an afternoon and leaving my cat at home for a few hours.

I'm happy to be told that I am wrong, it's been some time since I had a cat so I rather do some research and see what is considered the best thing to do now before getting a cat again. I wouldn't get one if I can't give it a good life.
How many hours on its own - occasionally, not regularly - would you consider ok for a cat?

Due to my old work shifts Mine was on his own from 7am till 10pm whilst I was at work although I'd come home during my dinner break. Then after I got another job my hours were still pretty much the same but due to being out of town I couldn't go home on breaks. Thankfully he was used to being on his own for a good part of the day anyway and as a senior Cat he was happy to spend his days snoozing in his favourite spot under the radiator in the conservatory or looking out the patio doors. I always ensured he had a bowl of water and biscuits to eat through out the day. If I went away for a night I could leave him as long as put a double helping of food down for him and a full bowl of biscuits. Anything longer than that and he'd happily go to the cattery. Well I say happily go. It would If it didn't involve going in the car. When I was home he would pretty much always be by my side or laid across my chest with his head resting on the arm of chair and his bum resting against my arm or laid on the pillow next to me or curled up by my side in bed so I could cuddle him. Unless the radiator was on then I was ditched in favour of the conservatory. Sadly I lost him at the beginning of June and found the hours I was away from him horrendous because I never knew if I'd be walking in after finishing work to find him already gone. Before he became poorly as soon as he heard my car door opening and my key go in the lock he would be stood there miaowing his head off happy to see me home again. Even on his last days even though weak and unable to walk far he would somehow still be at the door to greet me although rather than standing there he would be laid down instead and then I'd pick him up kiss him and cuddle him and tell him how much I loved him and carry him back through to the living room and settle him back into bed although he wouldn't settle properly until he knew I was settled down and laid on the floor next to him. I am hoping to adopt another Cat in the near future but will maybe consider rehoming a bonded pair so they'll be company for each other during the times I'll be at work

I'm happy to leave my cat during the day (late ) overnight and the next day (lunchtime)

Any more than that I have someone calling in. I would have them in sooner but I know that stresses my cat more

i have a camera in the house that lets me know if cat is happy or getting stressed. Yes I do let the callers know there is a camera