Are cats really okay on their own?

[Hexeex]

I have two cats. One of them is 5 and the other is 8 months.

I used to work from home 3 days a week and so they both had lots of company throughout the days I was home. I have recently changed jobs where I will eventually be working from home 3 days a week again but I have been going in Monday to Friday and will be doing until I have completed my induction period. I have to keep my cats separate while I'm not supervising them because sometimes the younger one is far too much for my older cat and he hates it and can get aggressive and stressed. So while I'm not in, one of them has acces to upstairs and the other downstairs.

I'm going on holiday in a few days for a week and my friend is coming to cat sit for me so she will be staying at mine and sleeping here. However she also works full time so will be gone every day.

I am feeling quite stressed out with this set up. I hate the thought of them (especially the younger one) at home alone bored and lonely. I know that everyone says cats don't care and they're very self sufficient but I just imagine them lay sleeping and think surely they must be bored?? I'm really worried that my younger cat is going to get depressed or something. I have only ever had dogs so it may just be that I can't get it into my head that an animal is fine on their own all day. I have always had to rush home for the dog and I can't seem to switch my mentality for cats.

Please can anyone reassure me that they will be fine? In a couple of weeks I'll be back to only 2 days in the office and will be home most of the time again, so it's going to go back to normal. But I feel like I'm not going to be able to enjoy my holiday because I'll be picturing them sat alone at home bored and lonely lol!

They have toys btw and older cat is allowed outside but we don't have a catflap. Younger cat went out in the summer but wasn't really interested in it. Just stood in the garden crying until I picked her up and brought her in. We tried every day but she didn't want to explore she was quite scared so we stopped taking her out. We might try again with her when we get back from holiday but while we are away she will be indoors.

Please can someone tell me I'm absolutely mad and bonkers and need to get a grip?

Also how do I not constantly worry about them while I'm away? Worrying something will happen while I'm in another country or my friend won't look after them well enough etc. Argh I'm such a worrier!

You’re neither mad nor bonkers, I am a terrible worrier too with just one cat 😂 I recently cat sat for my parents (he comes here, quite kitteny too and I have an older boy) and had a massive panic on a day trip that I’d left a window opening leading to a friend with a key coming in to check on them and that was just for the day!! BUT. They were both absolutely fine, they found ways to entertain themselves and it all ended well. It’s only a temporary situation, yours will be fine 😊

You're not bonkers but they will be fine. I have a cat and we usually get a pet sitter who comes in and feeds him and plays with him for a few minutes every day. Honestly having a friend come and stay would be my dream, I wish I had someone I could ask to do that!

My cat is usually extra affectionate when we get back and doesn't obviously hold a grudge! I think he does miss us but it's not feasible to never go anywhere. I cried the first time we left him to go on holiday if that makes you feel any better!

They will sleep most of the time you're away, even the younger one. Cats dont love change but honestly they will be fine in their own environments & they'll enjoy being miffed with you when you get back.

We installed cameras and learned that our cats sleep a lot when we're not home.

When I had to have Boycat pts, that left Girlcat as an only indoor cat with me going out to work until I could find a suitable companion for her and get the introductions done properly.

Apart from the expected behaviors of a cat who had lost her lifelong bonded brother (clingier than usual etc), she was absolutely fine. I definitely wouldn't have wanted things to go on much longer than they did, but in the short term (about 3 months all told) she was OK.

Your cats will be absolutely fine.

I suggest you get a camera and set it up in the main room the inhabit and link it to your phone so you can check on them when they pass by it. You'd have to tell your friend of course and make sure she's ok with that. Or she can turn it on and off when she goes out for the day. That might help ease your mind.

We've left our cats overnight with a friend popping into feed and have a camera on top of the kitchen cupboard pointing down to their food bowls.

For longer stays they go to a cattery with in pen cameras. I am a total worrier and check in on them multiple times a day. They are always fine!

Cats are pretty independent creatures.

We have four, admittedly outdoor / barn cats, who look after themselves for most of the week while both of us work away.

We do sometimes get a bit of 'where do you think you've been?' from them, but generally they are content and happy when we return.

My cat is alone 5 days a week 8-4 and has been for years. Pretty sure she sleeps all day!

Thanks everyone! I spoke to my friend as well and she said she will give me regular updates and photos. Never realised I'd worry so much about cats ha

They will be fine. I have a very clingy, needy cat when I'm here but she's not bothered at all about me going to work.

If I go away more than 5 days I get a live-in cat sitter as I do think she gets lonely if left alone for days on end.