I'm adopting a cat and want to make sure we can give him the best home possible.Just want to make sure its not unfair to leave him at home when we're out at work.
2007-03-10 09:15:27 · 74 answers · asked by oshea.marie 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi! No, he will be totally fine and pretty soon see the house as his own! As others have said, it would be nice if you could spend a few days in with him to help him settle in (take a long weekend from work if you can). He will sleep for most of the day and then be awake when you get home in the evening.
As you are just getting the one cat, you will probably find that he needs more human attention than if you had two. But that's fine, isn't it? :-)
Just make sure you give him dry food when you're out all day and don't get a cat flap - keep him indoors. You might also want to keep areas like the living room closed off whilst you're not there, until you know he can be trusted!
When we got our kitten, we left a radio on at a low volume for him, which seemed to make him calmer.
Enjoy your new little puddy cat :-)
xx Emmie
2007-03-10 12:12:23 · answer #1 · answered by Sparklepop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Cats are generally, from my experience, very independent creatures. This is why my family has always chosen cats over dogs. Whereas dogs love human companionship, cats generally don't care.
If the cat you are adopting is a kitten, you might want to consider to spend some time with it, get it to trust you. If the cat you are adopting is over a year old or close to it, as long as you leave a bowl out everyday and give a considerable amount of attention, it will be fine.
Just a tip, cat don't really care how many toys you buy them. Buying a cat tree house is a waste of money. And older cat doesn't play, but kittens do. If you are adopting a kitten, perhaps you might want to buy just a little toy, such as a soft, thin, rope for the kitten to chase, or a little dangly toy that hangs of a wire. My kitten has these toys and she absolutely adores them!
Also, when adopting a cat, make sure that you introduce him to its litter box. Do this by carrying the cat over to the litter box and placing him into the sand. Then, take up its paws and use them to scratch a "hole" in the sand. Then, place the cat's butt on the sand. Do this several times. After that, the cat will know where the litter box is. You should generally buy 2 litter boxes for one cat. Although, one litter box works just fine. Good luck!
2007-03-10 10:27:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats often pick up quickly that they use the litter boxes to go to the bathroom. If you did a quick scan of your house before leaving on the first day to make sure nothing is left on the ground, all trash cans are closed, there's enough food and water.. etc. Cats are preferred over dogs to owners that have to leave because they're so independent and don't get mad when left unattended. So no need to worry about that part! :D It wouldn't need a light, as cats can see just fine in partial or slight light. So, basically, your only worry should be housebreaking the cat and making sure it uses the litter box whenever it goes. This could take a few "trial runs" of you going off to school and coming back to check and see if it peed on the carpet or whatnot. When your kitten is un-housebroken and definitely never uses the litter box (some kittens may be like this, lol, if you get them that young) you MAY have to put it in a pen or cage for the day until it uses the box properly... but eventually it will become a hassle to get your cat into the cage, and they will despise you for putting them in one... so it couldn't last for long. ...And I wouldn't really recommend it unless the cat has serious bathroom problems. Good luck!
2016-03-28 23:20:45 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the cat! Some are more social than others. If the cat is already known to be a loner he/she could be fine. You could consider adopting another at the same time so they have the choice of being together - or being apart.
My OH had a cat whilst he was out at work almost all of the day. When he moved countries Kitty went to live with his brother and family. She flourished in the new house - slimmed down and became more active, but she could still hide away if she wanted to.
My cat family go to sleep whilst I'm at work, then all come out from various places for company when I'm home (as evidence by my OH). They're pretty self-reliant.
2007-03-10 19:35:31 · answer #4 · answered by nikki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not unfair to leave a cat at home while you work. If you want , you can have a radio playing. Also put out plenty of food and a couple of dishes of fresh water, just in case one of them gets spilled, and have toys for them to play with. Don't forget that cats sleep a good part of their day. You may find after you get one cat, you might want to get a "buddy" for him. Or you could get two at the same time (Siblings) Or two that are used to having the other around. Whatever you decide...Good luck. Cats are precious!!!
2007-03-10 10:02:57 · answer #5 · answered by Kitty Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you spend a little bit of time with the cat for a few days, and litter box train it, it will be fine as long as you leave it sufficient water and food. Also consider leaving some toys like catnip mice around, since kittens are extremely energetic. Or the cat will sleep for the greater part of the day, until you all get home.
After spending a while with the kitten it will adjust, and after it has adjusted and gotten used to your family/home it will become extremely independent and it can rely on itself as long as you give it food and water sufficient for the time you are out. If you are leaving for long periods at a time hire a pet sitter to take care of the animals. (MAKE SURE IT IS A RELIABLE PERSON!)
When the cat gets older it will begin to sleep alot, and start avoiding toys and just move from place to place to eat, sleep, and drink. The cat will become alot more fatigued and spend about 16 to 20 hours sleeping a day, unless it is an extremely active cat.
Well I hope that helps.
2007-03-10 09:40:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look at it this way - many cats almost prefer to be loners, not all are what you call lap kitties. They say that any other animal gives the cat company, even a dog or bird. I look at it like I am giving a cat a home where it is warm and fed and gets medical attention when needed, and love when I am home. In MANY animal shelters, cats are killed if they are not adopted out within a week or two. Therefore, the life you give a cat, even if not optimum attention, is beter than DEATH, right!? You can always leave a t.v. or radio on for it -- but my cat sleeps all day whether or not I am home - she is a night owl like most cats are.
2007-03-10 09:20:21 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's cruel, as long as he has plenty of water & food. I would leave a radio on softly so he can hear voices. It tends to keep some cats & dogs company. If you leave a few toys out for the cat, he can play with them also. Do you have a window he can look out? They like to do that from time to time. If you have any plants inside, you may want to put them out of the cat's reach while you are gone. An article of clothing left on the floor near his bed, that belongs to your husband & you, can be soothing to the cat, as he lays in his bed. The scent will make him feel more secure. Always remember to leave a clean litter box for your cat. Good luck!
2007-03-10 09:30:18 · answer #8 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sleep 16 hours a day, so he hopefully he wont notice you are gone. Can you fit an electronic cat flap so he has freedom to roam if he needs to? If its a plain one, then other cats can get in and spray. I'm guessing hes neutered and they tend to be lazier when thats been done.
He might be a little worried intially due to a strange place, so maybe take him home on a Friday so you can spend the weekend together first, but why are you adopting a cat if he is not going to have anyone there? Wouldn't it be better to let someone else adopt him, someone who will be there?
Im not trying to knock you, its obviously a kind thing to do if done properly, but are you adopting a cat to do something good, because it might not be so good if he is stuck indoors all day and is the type of character who wants to be outside?
2007-03-10 09:22:39 · answer #9 · answered by michelle a 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Cats are unlike dogs in that they do not require human company and stimulation most of the day. The cat will be quite happy to be left alone with food water, a litter tray and a toy or two. However do not think that because the cat has been in all day you can leave him out all night. Most cats that are killed and injured have their accidents at night.
You might want to consider a cat flap if you have the facility to be able to install one when the cat has settled in. That way during the day he can come and go as he pleases and you can lock it at night.
2007-03-11 11:50:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋