How Long Can You Leave Siamese Cats Alone?

Cats seem much easier to care for than dogs, but I started wondering just how far their independence goes, specifically Siamese cats. If I need to travel, how long can I leave a Siamese cat alone?

How long can you leave Siamese cats alone? The length of time you can leave a Siamese cat alone depends on the age of the cat. A grown Siamese cat can be left for 24-48 hours.

Here’s a look at recommendations for other ages.

Age	Length Of Time Alone
Under 4 months old	2 to 4 hours
4-5 months old	5 hours
6 months old	8 hours

So, now that I know the guidelines for how much time alone different age Siamese cats can spend, I wanted to dig further. Take a look at some other factors when it comes to leaving Siamese cats alone.

Leaving a Siamese Cat Alone

People get cats for a lot of different reasons, but one of the main ones is that they are generally more independent than dogs.

Don’t let this perception fool you, though. Cats are more independent than dogs, but they still like having you around, especially Siamese cats.

Siamese cats are known for their friendly, social personalities. They love affection and are very loving and trusting towards their owners. Siamese cats usually bond strongly with one person. That means if you’re their person, they’re going to know when you’re gone, even for a short time.

When Siamese cats get lonely, they may get anxiety and become depressed. When this happens, you can expect to come home to a disaster: chewed cords, shredded couches, ripped papers, etc.

If you’re going to be gone less than 24 to 48 hours, you might be able to pull it off if you take some steps to make sure your Siamese cat is comfortable.

Here’s what you can do:

• Consider the weather
• Automated pet feeder
• Provide plenty of water
• Add a litter box
• Provide entertainment

Consider the weather: Take a look at the expected weather for the time you’ll be gone. Adjust your thermostat as needed to make sure your kitty is comfortable while you’re gone.

Automated pet feeder: If you don’t have an automated pet feeder already, now might be the time to invest in one. An automated pet feeder keeps your cat’s food fresher while you’re gone and portions out the right amount.

This automatic cat feeder allows you to schedule four meals at specific times during the day, set the portion size and even records 10 seconds of your voice so you can “call” your pet to enjoy their meal.

Provide plenty of water: Making sure your Siamese cat has plenty of water while you’re gone is essential. Fill your cat’s water dish with fresh water before you leave and even add some extra bowls of clean water around the house.

Add a litter box: Adding a second litter box can save you coming home to a messy, stinky house. When a cat’s litter box fills up, they’ll just start going somewhere else, i.e., your house. Set up the litter box a bit before you leave, so your cat can get used to both.

Provide entertainment: It might seem silly but turn the on the radio or TV. The extra “company” can make a huge difference, especially for a Siamese cat. You might also add some new cat toys or even a new perch, so your cat doesn’t get bored while you’re gone. Here are some of the best cat toys for Siamese cats.

Here’s a fun cat tree you could add if you have the room.

Depending on your Siamese cat’s personality, you might discover that even 24 to 48 hours alone is too much. If that’s the case, you need to readjust before your sweet, loving kitty tears your house apart.

Hopefully, with these steps, you’ll still come home to a happy cat and your house in one piece.

Hiring a Pet Sitter For Your Siamese Cat

If you’re going to be gone more than the recommended 24 to 48 hours, you need to have a plan in place.

A boarding facility might be your first choice and the easy answer, but it might not be best for your Siamese cat. Cats are super territorial, so when they’re thrown into an unfamiliar place with all sorts of scents and markings from other cats, they can become very stressed. This isn’t always the case, but it is something to consider.

A better option is to have a friend, family member, or pet sitter come and take care of your Siamese cat while you’ll be away.

My first choice and the more affordable option is to have a friend or family member take care of your cat. You might just be able to offer a favor in return or some low daily rate. Otherwise, you can expect to pay a pet sitter $20 to $40 a day depending on where you live — some charge a daily rate, and some charge a rate per visit.

If you have to go the pet sitter route, it’s best to try to get personal recommendations from friends. A trusted friend or neighbor’s experience is always far more valuable than just searching the Internet. Your vet might also have some suggestions.

When you interview the pet sitter, ask them to come to your house so you can see how they interact with your Siamese cat and get a feel for their personality. If it is a random person, ask for references of clients they have worked for before.

Here are some other questions you can ask a potential cat sitter:

• Do you own any pets? Tell me about them.
• Tell me about the times you have cared for a cat.
• Do you have time to do x, y, z? (whatever it is you need them to do)

Once you have your pet sitter hired, here are the things you should have them take care of:

• Check food and water
• Give any medications
• Scoop litter box
• Spend time at your house

Check food and water: Leave a detailed schedule of when your cat eats and what they eat. Some cats eat only dry food, and some eat wet food; either way, your cat sitter needs to know. A pet sitter must follow the same diet you give your Siamese cat. Fill water bowls as needed.

Give any medication: Leave directions for any medications your cat needs. Besides dosing instructions, make a note if it needs to be given with food or any other unique way.

Scoop litter box: Cleaning your cat’s litter box is very important. If the litter box isn’t cleaned, your cat will stop using it.

Spend time at your house: If your cat is a social butterfly, as most Siamese cats are, encourage the pet sitter actually to play with and entertain your cat. If your cat is pretty chill, maybe they can just hang out at the house. Even having someone around for 15 to 30 minutes can brighten your cat’s day.

Give your cat sitter a heads up that if they notice any changes in how your cat behaves, how he’s eating, using the litter box, or grooming, they should call you to let you know.

You should also leave any vital information for your cat sitter. Here’s a look at the information that will be helpful.

• Your name and number
• Feeding times
• Feeding locations
• Any medication required
• Litter box instructions
• Any personality quirks
• Hiding and sleeping places
• Name and number of vet

If it will make you more comfortable, it’s also totally acceptable to ask your cat sitter to send you some pictures of your Siamese cat while you’re gone.

So, while a cat isn’t nearly as independent as you might think, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a trip or two and have your kitty survive.