In the life of a pet owner, one day comes when they have to leave their alone at least for once and that’s the most stressful period. Leaving your cat home alone for a 9 to 5 job with an automatic cat feeder is still ok to manage but leaving them for days is a bit of tension.
By the way, do you know how long you can leave your cats on the automatic feeder? Is it safe? In this article, we will explore each question and find answers.
Again, like in every article, I suggest you to read the blog post thoroughly. Read this too in the same way because I have shared my experiences and tips that you should consider.
How Long Can Cats Be Left Alone With Automatic Feeder?
Cats are independent but also seek socialisation in their daily routine. While an automatic feeder can ensure that your cat doesn’t go hungry, it doesn’t cover other crucial needs like companionship, hygiene, and emergency situations.
Typically, an automatic cat’s feeder lasts for 4-5 days easily if you give them meals 3 times daily, or else you can have an extender. But what about other needs?
Firstly, I would not recommend you guys to leave your cat for more than 24 hours alone. If you have 2 cats, then you can leave them alone for 2 days without having someone to check on them (security cams will work great here), the only condition is that they should have enough food and water supplies.
Let’s look at the requirements:
I assume we have all the necessary stuff to leave a cat alone. While you leave your home for any purpose, please test out all the cat gadgets.
1. Automatic Feeder
2. Automatic Litter Box
3. Multiple Water Sources
4. Security Camera
5. Interactive Toys
6. Food Bowl
7. Water Bowl
8. Litter Box
A cat should have a minimum space of 300 sq ft.
Why do we need food bowls, water bowls & Litter boxes? We will tell you later.
Few things to keep in minds
- If you’re going for 3-4 days, have someone who can sit twice daily (just for a cleaning and have a look). Well, leaving your cat under the supervision of someone is also riskier.
- Wouldn’t leave your cats without human interaction for more than 48 hrs.
- Do remove the obstacles or sharp objects. Cats can get into things and possibly get hurt.
Setup
This is only for a Cat. If you have 2 cats or more, increase the quantity or volume.
Leaving Your Cat for 24 hours
All you need is:
- Fresh Water
- An automatic feeder can ensure timely meals.
- 2 Clean Litter Boxes: 2 litter boxes because you won’t be able to follow your daily cleaning routine.
- Place interactive toys.
A pet cat can easily live up to 24 hours alone and is safe.
Leaving your cat for 2 to 4 days
- Fresh Water Bowl
- Water Fountain
- Automatic Feeder
- Automatic Litter Box
- 3 Litter Boxes
- Food Bowl
- Engaging Toys
- Security Camera
I suggest having someone who can look up to them atleast once a day to clean the litter box and check on food.
Leaving Cat for 5+ Days
Not recommended, even with an automatic feeder, litter box and water fountain. The risks of health issues, accidents, or stress increase significantly, and you will find your house in a disastrous manner.
Why did we take the Food Bowl, Water Bowl, and Litter Box?
It’s for backup by mistake, if the kitty unplugs them and the backup battery dies at least they have basic necessities to help them in survival.
Is leaving Your Kitty at Cat Boarding Good Idea?
“Many people think leaving their cats dependent on their friend or mom will come up for 20 mins, check the food, water and scooping the litter box and gone, they feel it’s better to put them in cat boarding.” – But my thinking aligns differently from theirs. I prefer my cats to stay in comfort in their territory.
FAQs
Q1. When to look for a cat sitter?
Ans. It’s wise to arrange a cat sitter if you’re going on a trip of more than 2-3 days.
Q2. Can two cats stay 3 days home alone?
Ans. Responsibly speaking, you should never leave your cat alone for multiple days unsupervised because you never know what would happen to them.
But in case of an emergency, yes, cats can live alone as long as they are healthy, don’t need any medications plus if they have enough food, water, and clean litter boxes. It is suggested to have 4 clean litter boxes. I recommend having somebody that you trust whether a family member, friends or service check on the cats at least once a day.
Q3. Can you leave cats alone for a week?
Ans. No, leaving your cats alone for a week is not recommended even if they are more than two. There is a high chance of any mishap, so getting a cat sit service or leaving them at your known house is better.
Q4. What if my cat doesn’t eat from the feeder?
Ans. Introduce the feeder gradually. Place familiar food in it and let your cat get used to the sound and mechanism.
Q5. Can I leave my kitten home alone for a day?
Ans. It is not recommended to leave cats under 9 months old and older aged cats because they need more care and generally have some medications too.
Q6. Is an Automatic Cat Feeder worth it? What are the pros and Cons?
Ans. The worth of the automatic feeder depends on how frequently you use it and is your purpose for solving.
Pros:
- Meals get delivered on time.
- Prevents overeating with portion control.
- Reduces the risk of food spoiling if it has a vacuum feature.
Cons:
- Cannot provide fresh water (unless combined with a water fountain).
- Won’t clean the litter box.
- Can’t offer companionship or handle emergencies.
Conclusion
While an automatic feeder can make life easier for cat owners, it’s not a substitute for human care. For short periods (1–2 days), it’s convenient to ensure your cat’s basic needs. However, for longer durations require additional measures like a clean litter box, fresh water, and companionship to keep your feline friend safe and happy. Always consider your cat’s unique temperament and health before making any decision.
Remember if you compare cats with dogs then cats need extra effort!