Do cats recognize their owners after separation?

Can one cat live alone at home for a long time?

Loneliness is a word that scares many people, since humans are socially dependent creatures who constantly need communication.
But does this apply to cats? We, the owners, are forced to spend a long time at work in order to have at least some money. Because of this, the cat often has to sit at home alone, entertaining itself in some way. As a result, we feel sorry for our own pets. What if we are talking about some kind of tourist trip? Then the question becomes even more relevant.

But is everything so bad? In today’s article, we will look at whether a cat can even live at home alone for a long time. This topic has a huge number of nuances, each of which should be discussed in a little more detail. A cat that walks by itself A very popular saying is that cats are creatures that practically do not need communication. They walk on their own all their lives and do not need any social activity. But this statement is only partly true, especially for those cats that grew up with people from a very young age. A kitten, accustomed to the fact that someone plays and babysits it every day, will constantly demand attention. But, for example, compared to dogs, cats really require much less attention, and they don’t miss their owners as much. Thanks to this, our furry pets can easily endure, for example, a whole day of loneliness while you are at work. They will definitely find something to entertain themselves with. Some cats, for example, love to play with their toys and run around the house with them. Other animals simply sit quietly by the window, begin to look at the moving figures on the street, and then fall asleep on the same windowsill. The third type of cat shows a special interest in home life, looks at various household objects, walks along bookshelves, and so on. Still others simply sleep and eat, which is their daily rhythm of life.

We have dealt with the daily loneliness of cats. To prevent them from being too sad, it’s enough just to constantly be near them after your working day. Play with your pet, pick him up, feed him a tasty treat, put him on your lap and relax. Then the cat will not feel lonely, and will easily make up for the lack of communication during the day spent alone. But what to do if your cat is forced to stay home alone for a whole week, or even more? This can lead to serious stress due to fear, as well as simple boredom with their owners. If you do not have the opportunity to take your pet with you on a trip, you just need to tell your relatives or neighbors to come to the cat’s house every day, leave him food, and at least play with him a little. This way the pet will brighten up his own loneliness, and will feel that people have not abandoned him. The best option would be to temporarily transfer ownership rights to relatives or friends, who will be able to take the pet home during your departure and provide care for it. Why is it important? • Cats, especially older ones, may require medical attention, so a person nearby can easily respond in a timely manner. The same applies to small kittens, who should never be left completely alone. • The cat will always receive fresh food and water. This is especially important, again, for old cats and small kittens. Also, a person nearby is important at the moment when the cat is taking any medications or is being seen by a veterinarian. • Simple daily interaction is a very important aspect of cat care. Therefore, people nearby are incredibly important even for such loners. As you already understand, a long stay alone for cats can threaten not only a decline in their emotional state, but also dangers such as illness or stale food. You should treat this with the utmost care!

They remember, but do not suffer

When there is no close trusting relationship between the pet and the previous owner, the cat will survive the separation much easier. Of course, at first the animal will be bored, run up to the door and meow pitifully.

But gradually, care and affection will do their job, and in the new family the cat will feel more confident and calm. After all, the main thing for them is warmth and care; if the pet receives them in full, he will get used to it and get used to it.

However, this does not mean at all that the previous owners are completely forgotten and, upon a possible meeting, the animal will not recognize them at all. There have been cases when cats recognized their first owners after five or more years of separation. Often the animal remembers the person whom it chose as its owner as a small kitten.

As a consolation to those who were forced to leave their pet, it must be said that the memory of cats is still more selective than the memory of people. Basically, they live in the current moment, without going over the memories of the previous owner. Cats are too practical for this.

Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to the question of how long cats remember their owners. But one thing is clear: people remember their pets longer and worry much more about separation.

“But I don’t make close acquaintances with anyone...”

Cats are not social animals like primates or canines. The lack of need for constant contact is also manifested in relationships with a person:

Loneliness is the reverse side of freedom. In their natural environment, all cats, with the exception of lions, lead a solitary lifestyle, which means they do not really need the company of their own kind. From the point of view of human morality, this is narcissistic egoism, but from the position of rational nature, it is a portrait of an ideal predator with heightened instincts and the priority of survival. Meeting only during the mating period, the animals hunt independently, rest in personal beds and independently raise offspring. A strong instinct of self-preservation, along with a penchant for spending time alone, was passed on from wild ancestors to domestic cats, making them a symbol of freedom and lack of control.
Freedom-loving pet. If a dog is usually called a person’s friend, then a cat is rather a self-sufficient neighbor. Living in a person's house and receiving food from his hands, pets do not lose the ability to get by on their own. Their tendency to steal implies a dormant hunting instinct, and the notorious rancor is nothing more than an attempt to survive in the territory of a competitor.

In addition, domestic cats quickly run wild and lose the skills of communicating with the human world, being for some reason thrown out of the house and deprived of human society. Socializing and taming such a savage is a real art that requires patience and knowledge of animal psychology.

Does a cat miss a person?

Despite their status as a pet, cats do not adapt to the rhythm of their owner’s life, maintaining their status as sole owners. Undoubtedly, they show positive emotions and demonstrate affection for “their person”, but do not dissolve in him with doglike devotion.

Zen mode

Domestic cats rest, doze and sleep 16-20 hours a day, regardless of the presence of the owner.

The pet spends the remaining time mainly on eating, toileting and grooming itself. Young animals are more active, giving themselves over to games and cognitive instinct, but “retired” animals spend their days mainly in detached contemplation of the world.

Individual qualities

The average proportion of communication with humans in a cat’s schedule is not that great, but the personal qualities and character of the animal are no less important. For example, breed predisposition plays a role:

The British are called the “interior cat” for their equanimity, sedentary behavior and sybaritic manners. They don't particularly like to sit on their owner's lap, but prefer to be the center of attention, perched on the armrest of a chair in the living room or on the refrigerator during a family dinner. Loneliness in a quiet apartment while the owner is away is not stressful for the British, so this is an ideal pet for a busy person or an introverted person.
The nickname of Maine Coons is “catdog,” which reflects their sociability, philanthropy and affection for the owner. Large furry animals are sensitive to sounds in the entrance and run to meet the owner at the front door, and as their favorite entertainment they prefer the original dog games of “fetch the ball.” Isolation and separation from the owner cause psychological discomfort to Maine Coons, which must be taken into account when planning business trips or vacations.

When the owner is absent for less than 48 hours

Unlike dogs, cats do not require a lot of time and attention from the owner, so they tolerate loneliness relatively painlessly.

Work days. The owner's normal work week fits perfectly into the daily routine from the cat's point of view.

Even if the work shift lasts 12 hours or more, the tailed pet most likely will not even get sad, spending all this time in the usual lazy half-asleep.

Short term departure. A Murka left in a locked apartment will not feel lonely if the owner has to leave for a day or two. The main thing is:

Provide the animal with sufficient food and water. Lovers of natural food may have to reconsider the cat's menu, since meat and fish tend to spoil quickly, especially in the summer heat.
Place a second tray, since some clean cats categorically refuse to go to the “toilet” if the litter is not already clean and fresh.
Close windows and vents, as the cat may be tempted by the will and fall from a height. The restricted ventilation mode is dangerous because the animal may get stuck in a narrow gap while trying to get out.
Turn off electrical appliances and turn off water and gas taps to avoid an accident.

It is not recommended to give a cat to an animal hotel or for foster care in someone else’s home during the short-term absence of the owner, because a change of environment will cause stress, and the body will not have time to adapt to the new place.

To overpay or not to overpay?

When purchasing a cat, you may come across different prices, and in different regions they differ significantly, so the question arises, why in some places they give purebred cats for absolutely nothing, and in other places they ask for fabulous money for them? This all depends on several factors:

Each nursery must maintain its own brand. It’s the same as with selling things: branded clothing costs much more than similar Chinese products. The nursery will provide you with documents for the kitten, which will indicate its pedigree, and this is very important if you want to reproduce the animal in the future. Of particular value are show-class kittens whose parents have won prizes in shows and exhibitions. If this is not important to you, then you shouldn’t overpay.
Compliance with breed standards. Experts will immediately suspect incest in the kitten’s appearance. This is called a defect, a deviation from the breed. Sometimes such defects can occur in a kitten of purebred parents. But still, it is not suitable for exhibitions, unlike its successful brothers and sisters, and therefore its price will be much lower.
The age of the kitten also plays a role. It is best to sell it at the age of 2-3 months. Older kittens are considered “grown up” and are cheaper.
Sometimes it happens that a kitten is sick, and the owners try to sell it quickly while the disease is not noticeable. In this case, the price may also be low.

The Javanese cat endures loneliness without its owners during the day.
There are different cases, for example, at the bird market, a purebred kitten can be bought for ridiculous prices. Owners sometimes don’t know how to quickly get rid of their offspring. If you are not interested in exhibitions, medals and regalia, then this is also a good option for purchasing a furry miracle. It’s up to you to choose which cat is best to have in your apartment.

Important! If you want a cat to perfectly suit your lifestyle, then it is better to take an animal from breeders.

They will tell you which cat is best to have in your apartment and select a pet for you, taking into account your interests. But it’s worth talking about your wishes in more detail so that there are no disappointments later.

For example, it is very important to know how long you will be away, since some breeds cannot tolerate being alone, it is also important whether you have enough time to care for the cat, this is important for long-haired breeds, whether you plan to have offspring, etc.

Ragdoll has an easy character

A good breeder is also interested in ensuring that his kitten ends up in kind and caring hands. It may take time for you to choose the right option, but if your desires and capabilities coincide, you will gain a reliable friend for life.

When the owner is absent for more than 48 hours

The long absence of the owner will not become a psychological drama for the cat. However, it requires special measures to be taken to ensure proper control and care of the animal, as well as a variety of forced solitude:

Cat nanny . It is known that cats are more attached to a place than to a person. Therefore, the most acceptable option would be to leave the cat in its usual environment and find an “acting owner.” Such a person will come once a day to check on the animal, feed it, change the water in the drinking bowl and clean the cat litter. And even if the cat treats the “master for an hour” with caution and suspicion, the peace and comfort of his home will have a calming effect. Additionally, it is recommended to purchase new toys for your pet that he is interested in. These can be toys (elastic balls, fluffy feathers, mice with a car factory), automatic feeders that dispense several tidbits in portions, scratching posts, posts, multi-level houses, playgrounds, an indoor aquarium with fast fish.
Holidays at grandma's . It is beneficial for your pet's psyche to be able to leave it in the care of a friend. This could be a neighbor, relative or family friend who is well known to the cat. Even a thin thread of trust will help the animal quickly adapt to new conditions.
Zoohotel. If the cat is affectionate and makes contact with strangers, then staying in a pet hotel will be a completely acceptable option. The owner is recommended to visit the establishment in advance to form an opinion about the level of services offered. Before leaving, the cat must undergo all preventive measures, including vaccination against infectious diseases and treatment against parasites.

It is strictly forbidden to let a cat go outside, hoping that it will be better there than in captivity. Such gullibility of the owner borders on irresponsibility and is fraught with sad consequences.

Do cats tolerate loneliness well?

Many fellow authors often call tailed animals self-sufficient pets. This quality supposedly distinguishes cats from dogs. The latter, left alone with themselves, often drive their neighbors to white heat, whining and barking in every possible way. With purrs everything is different. They don’t seem to notice the absence of their owners at all: they calmly take a nap or do other cat activities without bothering anyone too much. Is it really? How long can a cat safely spend time alone? We'll figure out.

There is still some element in the statement that cats tolerate loneliness better than dogs. Some purrs calmly wait for their owners all day long, and the sky does not fall to the ground. Still, we do not recommend abusing your cat’s tolerance. All cats are different, even within the same breed. Often you come across specimens that cannot spend even a couple of hours without their owner. They acutely experience forced loneliness, quickly acquire destructive patterns of behavior, damage furniture, become nervous, fearful, and often flinch from their own shadow. Which pet you get is a matter of chance; you can’t find any other words.

How long can a cat stay alone? Life situations are different. Even if you work remotely, you still have to leave home from time to time. And you can safely count on results in three hours - the vast majority of cats tolerate such separation painlessly. Particular attention should be paid to kittens: they are still babies, the presence of the owner is vital for them. In addition, kittens are usually fed by the hour. Another compelling argument: kittens are actively exploring the world, and in the absence of the owner, they can find themselves in some very unpleasant situation that threatens their lives. Therefore, these guys are closely watched. However, as noted above, purrs for the most part give owners the opportunity to go to work. If this is your case, congratulate yourself: you are incredibly lucky. The pet greets its owners at the door, purrs and cuddles, which means everything is fine with it.

Can I leave my pet at home for 48 hours? Another common situation. For example, let's say you've planned a "weekend tour" leaving on Friday evening and returning on Sunday afternoon. In such cases, is it necessary to look for a cat hotel or look for some other options? The answer is: 48 hours without the presence of the owners is the maximum period for which a mustachioed pet can be left relatively painlessly. But provided that he is quite tolerant of loneliness (see above). Leave the toys, work on leisure issues, take care of the food. If you leave relatively often, purchase an automatic feeder that dispenses food in portions by the hour.

Before a cat can be spayed, she must give birth to kittens.

Unwanted and unplanned kittens are a serious problem worldwide. This is what causes animal shelters to become overcrowded. Not to mention the huge populations of feral cats.

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Giving birth to kittens does not provide any health benefits to the cat, contrary to popular belief, especially if they are young. Therefore, sterilization will not only help to avoid the birth of unwanted kittens, but will also reduce the risk of various serious diseases.

How will a kitten cope with loneliness?

People, tell me, I’m really worried. We have a kitten, he is 3 months old. We're going on vacation for 10 days soon, what's the best thing to do with the cat? There are two options: parents will come to us every day, feed him, clean the tray and play with him a little. Or they can take him to their home while we are away, but there is also a cat and a kitten older than ours. They really are rarely at home, they are always outside. What would be more convenient for my cat? I just heard that animals even go crazy and some even die from longing for their owners. Cat lovers and just kind people, please advise what is best? Thanks in advance!

In my experience and from my two kittens, one cat lived 15 years, and the second lived 4 years, I can say that mine withstood daily solitude.

So it’s better for his parents to take him in? Won't he be afraid of everything unfamiliar? Maybe it will be better at home?

In this situation, leave 100% at home so that parents can come. Cats are not dogs, they do not need communication so urgently. It will be completely normal. Throw in more toys, hang them up) There is no need to disorient a 3-month-old and expose him to stress with other people's animals. Problems may begin with the toilet and with behavior, both at the parents’ home and when returning home.

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Try this and that. Where the kitten will be better - your parents will understand. Of course, at such a young age I didn’t leave my cat for so long, I was still afraid for her, I left her for half a day. And she ran around all our three rooms, probably rejoicing in complete freedom (I’m joking a little). And when we got a little older, my cats happily disappeared outside for many hours, fortunately we have the first floor.

I am very worried about his psyche. While we are at work, he is sleeping, I come and see his sleepy face))))))))) But here it is, after all, 10 days. What will he do alone virtually all this time? And in the parents’ house there will be a stressful situation for him, so I don’t know how to do it most painlessly for the kitten.

take him to your parents. he will die of boredom. do not torture the animal.

Both options are acceptable. He won't die of boredom, this is not a dog.

Definitely take it to your parents! Alone, he can cause trouble, chew something out of stupidity, throw it off, tear it, etc. And he will play with people, a kitten adapts to a new environment more easily than an adult cat who never goes anywhere further than the apartment, so definitely to his parents.

When I went on vacation, my mother said that the cat constantly slept on my clothes and slippers. You can also leave your cat something of your own so that he feels more comfortable in his new home.

I refused to go on vacation because of my two cats.

They came to my cat and fed/cleaned him every other day, he tolerates everything normally, however, we didn’t leave him so small, we started leaving him when he was already a year old..

I'm for option 1

He won't go crazy, tales of it. But 3 months is the age at which it is better not to leave him alone unattended. They often get into trouble, knock over heavy objects on themselves, get stuck, get strangled on the strings of blinds, eat threads, etc. Better take it to your relatives. Just plant it. Because if those cats go outside, they can infect yours.

Yes, we’ll probably take it to our parents. Thank you all more!

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How important is your cat's activity to you?

As they say, you can’t run wild in an apartment, but many breeds can be extremely active, running and jumping all over the house. There are breeds that are much calmer, such as the British, Persian, Scots, Burmese, Russian Blues, Sphynxes and Exotics. They are not hasty, they like to frolic, but in moderation. But cats such as Siamese, Bengal, Abyssinian, Kurilian Bobtail are not suitable for living in a small space, as they are hyperactive by nature.

Take care of purchasing accessories for your pet

But even if you bought a kitten from a calm breed, don’t expect it to lie around like a soft toy all day. Every cat needs space to play. In addition, each animal has its own character, which the owner may not like; some of the animal’s habits will have to be tolerated, and some will have to be eradicated through educational measures. To prevent an unpleasant odor from appearing in the apartment, and to ensure that your favorite furniture remains intact, you need to take care of purchasing accessories for your pet.

First of all, you need a cat litter box with litter, a scratching post and a nail clipper. The next most important activity is the equipment of the place where the animal will eat. Buy a feeder for food, and a separate bowl for water.

Remember! If your kitten eats dry food, then there should be water in the bowl at all times.

The British breed of cats is well adapted to living in an apartment.
If you wish, you can equip a cat’s place to relax; here you will need special houses, toys, beds, etc.

If you do not want your pet to bear offspring in the future, then go through the procedure of castration for cats and sterilization for cats. This procedure will help cats and kittens not to suffer in the future without a partner, will preserve their health and is completely safe for animals.

The best cat breeds

It has now been scientifically proven that cats outnumber dogs. This fact is due to the high adaptive ability of animals to changing environmental conditions.

In simple words, cats adapt better than other animals in the human environment. As a rule, they easily cope with loneliness, endure unfavorable factors and can become a person’s best friends and even a full-fledged member of the family.

If you want to have a pet cat, it is advisable to take into account a number of character traits of the animal.

First of all, you need to find out as much information as possible about the pet from the breeder or owner of the animal:

Is it easy for a kitten to change environment and move?
Is the kitten calm in its behavior and actions, or is its active and combative character predominant?
How a kitten copes with loneliness.
How does the kitten relate to people, is it sociable with members of its family.

The lifestyle of the future owner plays a huge role in shaping the character of the pet. If the family is small, it is better to choose cats of calm breeds, as they will feel most comfortable in free conditions.

If the family is large and noisy, and often receiving guests is possible, you need to understand that some breeds of cats are painfully tolerant of such noise and chaos, so it is better to get an energetic and sociable animal that will not hide in a corner and get nervous when strangers or noisy people appear. campaigns.

Thus, the character of cats, or any other animal, depends on the breed. Below is a list of the most suitable pets that, with proper care and training, will make good companions.

Myth 2. Cats are competitive animals.

This view is based on observations of large groups of semi-feral urban cats. This situation is due to food restriction. The cat's territory is large enough to provide enough food to survive.

If food is scarce, the area may be small and cats may live in close quarters. Living close to food sources has led to higher densities of individuals and some changes in the lifestyle of domesticated cats. Left with no choice, they adapted to the situation, which enriched their social lives.

Under natural conditions, cat socialization depends on the availability of food and shelter. If they are offered such conditions, cats will live in close proximity to humans. However, cats remain social “at will” even in comfort. Most animals avoid each other and live alone, although at first glance they seem to live in a group.

Cats that form a group (but not a herd with a specific hierarchical organization), especially those that live with people, will tolerate each other rather than cooperate. You may notice that cats living together, despite the fact that they try to maintain bonds by falling asleep next to each other and licking each other, maintain their distance.

In multi-cat households, the animals may compete with each other for territory and resources. Moreover, conflicts between them can be completely invisible to a person.

Mom cat with children

Cat with kitten

Cat playing with kitten

Persian cat

Quite calm and affectionate animals, suitable for living in an apartment (see also which cat breed is best for an apartment). This breed is very independent, does not need attention and easily tolerates loneliness (see the kindest cat breeds).

But Persian cats require constant care for their long hair, otherwise lumps and tangles will form. Such pets should be owned if you have time to care for them.

Russian blue cat

An option for those who do not have enough time for a pet. This breed is the same as Persian cats, only with short hair, therefore requiring less attention.

Such cats are independent and wary of strangers, but they are affectionate with their owners and easily tolerate loneliness, so they are suitable for people who spend most of their time at work. See also the most beautiful cat breeds.

What to do with animal fur

Attention! When getting a cat with long hair, it is worth remembering that you will have to brush it regularly, especially during the shedding period.

In addition, long-haired breeds are not suitable for people prone to allergies. But breeds such as Sphynxes, Scottish Folds and Cornish Rexes are ideal in this regard, since their hair is very short and does not require special care.

During the shedding period, your cat needs to be brushed constantly.

British shorthair cat

It adapts perfectly to any conditions, can easily get along with other pets, and has an easy-going and friendly character.

But nevertheless, such cats have qualities such as pride and greatness, and require attention to their person.

Such pets should be owned by patient people who are ready to constantly indulge their pet.

Ragdoll

He is distinguished by his freedom-loving and sensitive character, sociability, regularity, affection towards people and, especially, towards children. See full description of the Ragdoll breed.

Unfortunately, cats of this breed lack the instinct of self-preservation from childhood, which leads to frequent injuries to the animal.

Maine Coon

A breed of cats that are devoid of aggression, get along well with people and children, are affectionate and gentle. They are very sociable, but become attached to only one family member (see which cats are the most affectionate and intelligent).

Such cats can easily share the owner’s hobbies and are ready to follow him everywhere. Since the Maine Coon has long hair, it requires special care. See also what is the largest cat breed.