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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

Can I leave my kitten alone the day after I got him

16 replies

Bailey678 · 19/06/2025 17:28

Can I leave my kitten alone for 2ish hours the day after I got him?
I got a 12 week old kitten from a friend, I’ve seen him about once a week since birth so he already knows me a bit. I bought him home today and he seems quite settled, (sleeping on me and exploring the place when he’s awake) but I don’t know if it’s a terrible and irresponsible thing to leave him alone tomorrow morning for a few hours. I’m an athlete who has quite strict training times and I’ve managed to take time off work and told my coach I have to miss some sessions for a week or two but there are some which I can’t avoid, especially this time in the season. I think I can cut down my time away to about 2 hours, but I don’t know when it’s ok to leave a new kitten alone safely and if I need to try and find a way out of my session tomorrow? please help - my Google searches haven’t been helpful!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 19/06/2025 17:29

He’ll be fine. Leave plenty of toys. So he’ll wear himself out then crash out.

OrsolaRosso · 19/06/2025 17:31

I would suggest keeping him in one room with access to food and litter tray, so he doesn't have the run of the house while you are out.

MarketSt · 19/06/2025 17:44

If it’s only 2-3 hours then please dont worry.

Play with him lots before you leave to wear him out. Leave your PJs or something that smells like you in his room.

Keep him confined in 1 room.

I'm sure he’ll sleep the majority of the time you’re gone.

if your friend has other kittens from the litter maybe think about bringing home a sibling for him for company if you’re really sad leaving him. Xxx

Tortielady · 19/06/2025 19:30

As well as the suggestions by pps, you could also leave a radio or TV on as background noise for him. Depending on where you are, tomorrow looks very warm, (UK context) so the main priority for him is plenty of water and somewhere cool to crash out.

Cleanestpuppy · 19/06/2025 19:32

I have a crate for my kitten when I go out and it works fine I put litter tray/food/water in there

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 20/06/2025 10:49

Of course you can! Just make sure you kitten-proof and leave him access to food, water and his litter tray :)

Igmum · 20/06/2025 11:56

Yes of course. I have also happily kitten sat for neighbours who needed to be away for longer and shifted my laptop over for fabulous kitten company (plus the disgruntled stares of my own feline overlords). So don’t be afraid to ask cat loving neighbours to get involved (do you live near me? 😁)

NormalAuntFanny · 20/06/2025 12:54

Cleanestpuppy · 19/06/2025 19:32

I have a crate for my kitten when I go out and it works fine I put litter tray/food/water in there

I can't think of anything worse that locking a cat in a box then going out, why would you do that?

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 20/06/2025 13:00

Cleanestpuppy · 19/06/2025 19:32

I have a crate for my kitten when I go out and it works fine I put litter tray/food/water in there

It was inevitable after the obsession with 'crate training' dogs that people would start doing to cats as well.
Had cats and kittens for 40 years - never needed a crate yet. I think it's rather a shame that sticking an animal in a box now seems to be the answer to everything...

Allergictoironing · 20/06/2025 14:50

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 20/06/2025 13:00

It was inevitable after the obsession with 'crate training' dogs that people would start doing to cats as well.
Had cats and kittens for 40 years - never needed a crate yet. I think it's rather a shame that sticking an animal in a box now seems to be the answer to everything...

Show quote history

Agree there Grumpy. Only time I would use a crate is when there's introduction or re-introduction issues and then only short term as part of a progressive procedure. If I need to restrict mine for any reason, they have their own bedroom (used to be my spare bedroom lol) where Tobias stayed when he first came him. Has plenty of different sleeping spots, hiding spots that I can access in emergencies, litter tray in there permanently, water permanently, and they tend to prefer sleeping in there during the day.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 20/06/2025 15:11

Cleanestpuppy · 19/06/2025 19:32

I have a crate for my kitten when I go out and it works fine I put litter tray/food/water in there

Good God. Please don't lock your kitten in a crate.

CatChant · 20/06/2025 15:21

He will be fine for a couple of hours with access to food, water and his litter box.

Please don’t put him in a crate. He is a kitten not a minotaur.

WildCherryBlossom · 20/06/2025 15:27

We generally allocate one room as a new kitten’s safe space when we first bring them home. Somewhere that can be thoroughly kitten proofed. Usually the bathroom or a bedroom for us, but a utility room or kitchen would be fine. Put litter tray, a cardboard box with a folded towel or blanket in, some toys and food and water. Kitten will be fine without you for a couple of hours. Make sure cupboard doors are closed, loo seat is down of dishwasher is shut etc etc. Cats are incredibly resilient.

socks1107 · 20/06/2025 15:28

I had too, he’s fine and now 12 years old. I left food and water and his litter tray

FlightCommanderPRJohnson · 20/06/2025 15:30

I could advise you more accurately if you could provide a picture of said tiny feline.😉

Walker1178 · 20/06/2025 15:33

Just like PP have said he’ll be fine. Set him up a ‘base camp’ so he has everything he needs in one room. Chances are he’ll spend the whole 2 hours snoozing - it’s what cats do best!

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