First of all: You're less alone with two
Even though cats are often described as independent, they are essentially very social animals that do not like to stay alone at home for hours. For this reason, good breeders try not to place their kittens in solitary homes. If a kitten moves in alone with you, it can quickly become bored and lonely. Even if you have →prepared well for your kitten, spend a lot of time at home, and keep your kitten entertained, cuddled, and cared for, playing at eye level with peers is irreplaceable. Cats also enjoy sleeping together and grooming each other - it's simply part of their natural nature to not be alone and should be →considered when buying a cat.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Zusammen ist man weniger allein: Holst du dir zwei Kitten, können diese zusammen spielen und kuscheln.
Practicing leaving cats alone in 3 steps
If your new roommate has been with you for a few days and has settled in →well, you can start with the →training of the kitten and slowly practice leaving it alone. Depending on how clingy your kitten is, you can proceed faster or slower. Keep in mind that kittens under 4 months should not be left alone for more than 2-4 hours.
Step 1: Spatial separation
First of all, you start leaving your kitten alone with a spatial separation. Many owners find it adorable when the young kitten follows them everywhere and cuddles up in bed at night. The problem is that as soon as you want some peace and close the bedroom door, the little ones are overwhelmed and protest loudly by meowing.
For this reason, you should start leaving your kitten alone in a room from time to time. For example, when you go to take a shower, close the bathroom door. If you go to get something from the kitchen, briefly close the living room door. Not for too long, but only for a short duration and then gradually increase the time.
Step 2: Leaving the cat alone in the house for a short time
If the spatial separation is going well, you can move on to the next step. Now it's time to put on your shoes and jacket and go take the mail from the mailbox, take out the trash, or have a quick chat with the neighbors. Your kitten will be left alone at home for a short time.
Again, start slowly and gradually increase the duration. Make sure that your →kitten is not completely stressed when you return home. A cat that meows a lot and weaves around your legs is not happy but stressed from having to be alone.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Abenteurer oder Couchpotato - manchmal liegt es auch in den Genen. Bist auf der Suche nach einer gemütlichen Samtpfote, wirf einen Blick in unsere Liste ruhiger Katzenrassen!
Step 3: Leaving the house for a longer time
If the first two steps go very well, you can now also stay away longer, like going to the next party or to the movies. The advantage with cats is that they generally cope very well with being alone and learn it quite quickly. However, a prerequisite for a longer time of up to 8 hours should always be that your kitten is at least 6 months old and well exercised.
A little tip: If you plan to leave your kitten alone for a bit longer, hide a few tasty treats around the apartment for it to find. This is a fun and delicious activity, your kitten will get tired and won't get into mischief.
Leckere Katzen-Snacks fürs Training oder zwischendurch
Help, my cat won't stay alone!
Your kitten is now old enough to stay alone for a few hours, but it protests loudly and causes all sorts of trouble while you're away? When cats have difficulty being left alone, it can have various causes. It's worth taking a critical look at your daily routine:
Your kitten follows you from the first coffee in the kitchen, watches your favorite series with you, and sleeps in your bed at night - you are practically inseparable? Then it may be that your kitten feels lonely while you are away. Even if they don't always show it, cats are very social beings and enjoy the company of others. Ideally, you have got two kittens right away or have another →second cat at home. A dog can also provide companionship, but nothing beats having two cats together.
Also, don't forget that a young kitten has a lot of energy and is in an adventurous mood. It curiously explores the entire apartment while you're away and engages in many battles against curtains and sofa cushions. Here too, a second kitten can provide entertainment while you're out.
In addition to cuddles and food replenishment, you are also responsible for the [→proper stimulation](/magazin/katzen/katze-erziehung/so-beschaftigst-du-deine-katze-in-zeiten-von-corona) of your kitten. Especially when it is supposed to stay alone for longer. A fun game with a teaser wand or a ball is enjoyable and tiring. You can also teach your indoor cat →great tricks or organize exciting food search games. Depending on the breed, some cats may also feel under-stimulated as indoor cats and benefit greatly from a life as outdoor cats. However, you should ideally wait until the 8th month of life and not leave your kitten alone in the garden at first.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Junge Katzen wollen die Welt entdecken und könnten den ganzen Tag herumtoben. Richtig ausgelastet können sie besser allein bleiben und stellen weniger Blödsinn an.
How long can I leave my kitten alone?
As mentioned earlier, cats are very social beings. Especially kittens rely on sufficient social contact and should therefore not be left alone for too long. Kittens under 4 months should not be left alone for more than 2-4 hours. From the age of 4-5 months, the duration can be increased to 5 hours. At 6 months, you can also leave your kitten alone for up to 8 hours. If your kitten is not alone but has (same-age) company from another cat, it can learn to be alone better and the duration can be increased more quickly.
Should kittens sleep alone?
If it were up to her majesty the kitten, she would of course love to sleep in your bedroom. But generally, it is perfectly fine if you do not want your cat to sleep with you in bed or in the bedroom. It is important that all of the kitten's needs are met overnight. So feed it again before bedtime and make sure there is also some food in the bowl for nighttime hunger. Your kitten should have →access to the litter box at all times. A soft basket near your bedroom door can also help initially to get them used to sleeping alone.
