Leaving Your Cat Home Alone For The Weekend
Posted on: 23 June 2016
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Cats are far more independent than dogs. If you're only going to be out of town for a day or two, you should be able to leave your cat home alone rather than take him to a boarding facility. However, you'll want to make sure you take these steps to keep your cat safe and happy while you're away.
Invest in an automatic waterer.
Most cats don't like stale water. If you leave a bowl of water out, your cat may only drink it the first day or two – and may go without water during subsequent days. An automatic waterer can solve this. Typically, the waterer will automatically drain and refill with water every few hours so your cat always has fresh water. Some waterers release a stream of water when your cat steps on a trigger. If you purchase this variety, make sure you purchase it a week or so before you go away so your cat has time to learn to use it first.
Get your cat used to dry food.
Wet food spoils quickly, so you can't put it out when you leave and count on it to feed your cat while you're away. If your cat is not used to eating dry food, spend a few weeks before your trip getting him or her used to eating it. Then, when it comes time to go away, you can fill a bowl with several days' worth of dry food and know your cat will have plenty to eat. Some cats tend to over-eat when left with endless food in front of them, but since you're only going to be away for a couple of days, this shouldn't have any huge consequences as long as you get your cat back on a more moderate diet when you return home.
Leave your cat with some fun toys.
Many cats become a bit bored when they're left home alone. If you don't want to come home and find that your cat has turned your curtains into toys, be sure to leave some real cat toys. Balls that squeak and release a treat periodically when your cat bats them around are a good idea. There are also battery-operated toys that will keep a feather or string moving for your cat to bat around.
If you have doubts that your cat will be okay on his own, look into cat boarding facilities, such as Academy Of Canine Behavior. Your cat may not particularly enjoy being in a new environment while you're away for a few days, but at least you know he'll be safe and secure at a boarding facility.