Can I Safely Leave My Cat Home Alone

Last Updated on May 30, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin

There is an idea that cats are solitary, low maintenance, pets who are fine left alone for a few days as long as we leave out a lot of food and water. In fact, that isn’t true.

His family’s sudden absence, and the lack of his predictable routine, will stress a cat used being part of a family. Stressed cats may develop illnesses or pee outside the box. Cats shouldn’t be alone for over 24 hours.  Hiring a pet sitter can provide care and peace of mind while you are away from home.

There are three options for how to care for your cat is you have to go out of town.

• Hire a pet sitter to provide drop-in visits at your home
• Have someone come stay in your home
• Board your cat at someone else’s home or a facility

Boarding:

Boarding is usually the most expensive option. It is the best option for a cat with medical or extreme dietary needs. There is constant monitoring and the staff are usually medically trained.

The downside, besides the price, is that your furry friend has to stay somewhere away from home, possibly in a cage type space. There will be other animals, unfamiliar scents and sounds. For Kitty all that adds up to STRESS.  And for some cats, stress equals illness.

Be sure you visit the facility before you reserve your kitty a stay at the cat hotel.  I would want to have a full tour rather than just visiting a model room. When I drop my furbaby off I expect to see her in her assigned space.

These are some things to consider when touring a boarding facility:

• Is it clean and quiet?
• Does her suite have enough space?
• Will she have places to hide and to get up high?
• Are the litter box and food dishes are far enough apart?
• Make sure she isn’t looking right into her neighbor’s space.
• If you have bonded cats, be sure they will stay together without being crowded.
• How will they store her supplies if your baby has special dietary or medical requirements?
• Ask about enrichment plans and veterinary supervision.
• Ask about nighttime monitoring for your cat with medical needs.

Home Care:

In-home care and drop-in visits have similar benefits to your cat. There is less stress because she is staying in her own comfortable environment.  She doesn’t have to travel or stay with unfamiliar animals. She gets attention she only has to share with her siblings.

Hiring a pet sitter to stop by daily provides some security too.  Your pet sitter will make your house look lived in and less attractive to burglars.  The sitter can pick up mail and bring in packages, rotate lighting and blinds and even move cars around or take the trash out if your contract allows for it.

Why Choose a Live-in vs. a Drop-in Pet Sitter:

Most cats will be fine with drop-in visits. If you have a cat that needs more frequent feeding or medical management you might need a live-in.  A cat with severe separation anxiety would be another case for a live-in arrangement.

How Many Daily Visits

How often do you feed her and scoop the box?  If she gets fed twice a day and you scoop twice a day, then you need twice daily visits.  But if you fill her bowl and scoop the box just once a day she’ll be fine with one visit.

Don’t do less than once a day.  So many things could happen, injury or illness, fire, frozen pipes or some other household emergency, getting stuck in a cabinet.  You want to know your kitty is being checked on at least once in a 24-hour period.

If you travel frequently,  consider adding a pet-cam. You can interact with your cat over the internet.

What to Look for When You Hire a Pet Sitter:

• Hire a pet sitter who can maintain your kitty’s routine as closely as possible.  If you normally feed her at 5pm, you don’t want to hire a service that will end up feeding her at 7.
• A sitter that enjoys spending time with your cats. You want the sitter to play and interact with your babies, not just feed, water, scoop and go.
• A cat lover. Cats are much more subtle about how they show stress and illness. A dog walker picking up some cat clients on the side might not notice the red flags.
• First aid certified and medication trained.
• Someone who can provide any special grooming needs your kitty needs.
• Someone you feel comfortable allowing in your house.

Where to Find a Pet Sitter:

• Use a friend, relative, or neighbor you trust to follow through
• Ask a friend for a reference. Do you have a friend that cares for her cats in a way you respect? Ask her who she uses for a sitter.
• Ask your vet, breeder, or groomer for recommendations. You already trust them to care for your pet. Sometimes groomers and vet techs pet sit in their off hours.
• See if your pet supply store can recommend a sitter. A staff member might have their own pet sitting businesses on the side.
• Pet sitting industry association service like NAPPS or PSI.
• Online registries like Wag, Rover, Angie’s List, Care.com or Sittercity.

The Humane Society Suggests to Ask Your Potential Sitter:

• Is the pet sitter insured?
• What training has the pet sitter completed?
• Will the pet sitter communicate with you to make sure that food and medications given as instructed?
• Can the pet sitter get your pet into a vet in an emergency?
• Does she have a backup if they can’t make it to a sit?
• Will the pet sitter ensure that they keep grooming, training, and other appointments?
• Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees?
• If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the specific times she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract?
• How does your pet sitter make sure you have returned home?
• Does the pet sitter have references?

Have a Contract:

For me, a personal connection is more important than a certification from an online organization, insurance or bonding.  I also prefer someone that isn’t part of a big company with multiple sitters. I want to know the actual sitter who is coming to my house.  But other people are more comfortable with a big company with certified sitters.

Whatever you choose, make sure you understand the contract you have signed. You might not feel you need a contract if you are having your Bestie or a neighbor coming in. At least write up something so they understand what you expect and what you will pay them.  Yes, pay them something. It’s a lot easier to not follow through if you are just doing someone a favor.

How to Have Your Pet Sitter Visit Go Well:

• Let your sitter know Kitty‘s favorite toys, hiding spots, and sleeping places.
• Write up a very detailed account of your kitties’ routines.  The more information you give your sitter the better service she can provide. Include any behavioral quirks Kitty has about eating, playing, and petting.
• Leave them plenty of contact information and let them know what level of contact you want.  Some people like daily check-ins, with pictures and videos and time stamp. Others want no contact, and everything in between.
• Be sure you leave a local emergency contact and your vet’s contact information
• Your pet sitter shouldn’t need to purchase supplies. Keep enough food and litter on hand to last the length of your trip and a couple days to account for unexpected delays.

Whether you choose to board your kitty or hire a pet sitter, you should be able to relax and enjoy your travel knowing your furbaby is safe, secure, and well cared for.