Do Cats Get Lonely When Left Alone?

Do cats get lonely? The question is one that many pet owners have asked themselves time and time again, especially if they have to leave their cat home alone all day while they work or if they have ever left their pet behind during a weekend vacation. But do cats really notice or care if they are left alone? The following guide will help you understand more about the potential for pets to feel lonely, spot symptoms of solitary cats, how long it is safe to leave a pet on their own and how you can help keep your pet from feeling the negative effects of loneliness.

Do Cats Like to Be Left Alone?

Cats are known for being more independent than dogs as a general rule, but this does not necessarily mean that pets like to be left alone. While cats tend to have more independent personalities than the average dog, they are still social creatures in need of companionship. Cats may want to be left alone from time to time, and some temperamental pets may prefer to approach people on their own terms, but this doesn’t mean that they prefer to be left alone for long periods.

So, pets like to be left alone? The answer is: sometimes, but only when it is on their own terms. A pet may want to sleep on the windowsill and be left undisturbed for an afternoon, but that doesn’t mean they want to be left alone for an entire weekend or even a full day.

How Do I Know If My Cat Is Lonely?

There are some vital signs you can look for if you want to know whether your pet is experiencing loneliness. While pets can’t tell us in words whether they are feeling alone, they do express loneliness through certain behaviors that you, as a pet owner, will be able to notice

1. Your cat is acting out

Cats that get lonely are also going to get bored, which makes them more likely to act out of boredom. They may start running around the house wildly or begin knocking items off shelves or countertops, and they will generally make messes that they usually don’t make when they are getting enough attention.

2. Your cat is exhibiting behavioral problems

Behavioral problems go beyond scratching a curtain or knocking a glass off the counter; behavioral issues enter into the territory of scratching up curtains, furniture, clothing, and fabric; peeing on the bed or outside the litter box, especially on your own clothing or shoes; and exhibiting aggression.

3. Your cat is making loud and excessive noises

Lonely pets make express their unhappiness through loud and excessive noises, such as mewling, yowling, or frequently meowing until they receive some type of attention.

4. Unusual clinginess

If your pet is suddenly very affectionate and clingy with you—for example, they may follow you into the kitchen and refuse to let you do the dishes unless you’re holding them—this can be a sign that they are lacking regular attention, which can turn into separation anxiety.

The above are all signs that your cat may be experiencing loneliness. If your pet is exhibiting these signs, consider how often they are left alone and what you can do to remedy that situation.

It’s important to note that you should bring your pet into the vet if they are peeing outside the litter box and the issue isn’t resolved with addressing their feelings of loneliness. Peeing outside the litter box can be a sign of a health problem, so it’s best to keep a sharp eye on this type of behavior.

READ MORE: How Much Exercise Does a Cat Need

How to Keep Your Cat From Being Lonely

If you recognize that your pet is feeling lonely, then you should do whatever you can to remedy the problem. Thankfully, addressing a cat’s loneliness is not too difficult as long as you are willing to put in some work to help your pet feel more secure and less alone during the day.

1. Give your cat more to do during the day

Cats who have plenty of things to do during the day are more likely to tire themselves out and sleep, which makes it less likely that they will stay up and start feeling stressed from being alone in the house. Installing window perches on your windows, pet shelves on the walls, a cat tree with different levels and toys, so you can help your pet find more to do while they’re home alone. Don’t forget the toys! Boxes, ball pits, and even automatic toys can help keep them occupied.

2. Turn on some music or TV while you’re gone

Sometimes, pets may feel better if there is some noise in the house which helps them to feel less alone. Turning on the TV or leaving some music on can help your pet feel less lonely and make them less prone to acting out while you’re away.

3. Leave something with your scent around when you leave

Leave something you recently wore in an area where your pet likes to nap, such as the bed or couch; they will feel comforted by your scent and this may help them feel less lonely.

4. Hire a pet sitter

If you will be gone for a long time or your cat isn’t responding to the above remedies, then hiring a pet sitter is the best option to ensure that your pet gets the attention they need during the day time.

5. Consider a companion cat

If you have a single pet that simply can’t stand being home alone, even with plenty of toys and enrichment, then you may want to consider adopting a second pet as a companion. This is not a decision to make easily since you will need to consider the potential that the cats may not get along. You will need to selectively adopt a cat who gets on well with other pets and then gradually introduce them in the hopes that they will become friends.

The above steps may not completely eliminate your pet’s feelings of loneliness, but they can help your cat feel more secure and less prone to acting out in general.

Will My Cat Get Lonely At Night?

Some cats do get lonely at night because, while they are likely active and ready to run around, their owners are settling down to sleep. Cats may also feel isolated if they are not allowed to access their owner’s bedrooms at night, meaning they have to stay by themselves until the morning. If you notice that your pet is exhibiting lonely nighttime behaviors—including excessive meowing at night, scratching at the door and destructive behavior at night, you will want to find a solution.

The easiest solution is to let your pet into your bedroom at night so that they can check on you, sleep with you on the bed, or get a few sleepy cuddles from you during the night. If this isn’t possible, then you should make sure that your pet is tired out before you head to bed; give them a good energetic play session so that they are more likely to sleep for a few hours, rather than wind themselves up and exhibit destructive lonely behaviors when you go to sleep.

READ MORE: Signs Your Cat Loves You

How Long Can Cats Be Left Alone?

There is a myth that cats “are fine” being left alone for days on end, which is why many pet owners choose to go on vacation without doing anything more than setting up a big bowl of food and throwing a few toys on the floor.

Can I Leave My Cat Alone For a 2-Day Vacation?

However, pets should not be left alone for more than a maximum of 2 days, and even then this will depend on the age and temperament of the pet. It is not recommended that you leave any cats younger than 6 months alone for more than 8 hours, or the average workday; adult pets can be left alone for 1 day or 2 days maximum.

If you decide to leave your pet alone while heading out for 2 days, you should make sure to enact these precautions:

• Have plenty of fresh food and water available for your pet in multiple sources (such as a bowl in the kitchen and bowl in the living room)
• Clean the litter box completely before leaving
• Make sure your house is cat-proofed (doors shut to dangerous areas, all wires tucked away, nothing toxic left out)
• Leave a variety of toys in different locations throughout the house
• Leave music or TV on for the pet as stimulation
• If possible, have cameras set up in your home so you can check on  your cat

READ MORE: Best Cat Backpacks

In an ideal world, you should have someone check on your pet once a day (or more!) if you are going to be gone overnight, especially if you will be gone 2 days. Never leave your cat without a regular pet sitter if you are going to be gone more than 2 days, as this is dangerous for your pet.

Cats can feel lonely—but with the information provided in the above guide, you will be able to help your pet feel less stressed by loneliness.