Do Kittens Get Lonely While You're at Work?

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Rewritten from source material originally published at: petsittersireland.com/do-kittens-get-lonely/

Kittens sleep for an extraordinary amount of the day, often eighteen to twenty-two hours, but the waking hours in between are full of energy, spent chasing toys, other animals, or you. So can a kitten genuinely get lonely while you are out?

Play and exploration are how kittens build positive associations with you and their home, so leaving a kitten alone for several hours during the day is generally fine, provided they have enough to keep themselves occupied, whether that is toys or the company of another animal.

What entertainment works best?

Every kitten has different tastes, so the best approach is to offer a range of toys and see what sticks. Bells and cat trees with hiding spots and scratching posts are popular choices. Feathers and string toys are engaging too, but it is worth holding off on these until your kitten is old enough to understand not to swallow small parts, which can be genuinely dangerous.

Once you know which toys your kitten enjoys playing with independently, you can leave for work with more confidence that they will keep themselves occupied. If your kitten still seems unsettled despite a good toy rotation, it may be worth considering a companion animal. Kittens are social by nature and tend to do well growing up alongside another kitten.

Do kittens notice how long you've been gone?

Kittens do not experience time the way we do, but they do pick up on routine, learning roughly when meals, playtime, and bedtime happen, and when you tend to wake up and come home. When that routine is disrupted, for a weekend away or a longer trip, the best way to prevent behavioural issues from developing is to arrange for a cat sitter to check in and play with them, keeping up their normal level of interaction while you are away.

Can kittens become withdrawn or low?

Every kitten is different, but signs like lethargy or a drop in appetite are worth addressing promptly. A vet visit can help determine whether your kitten is simply lonely or dealing with an underlying illness. If loneliness turns out to be the issue, more stimulating toys, or the company of another kitten, may be exactly what is needed.

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