Cats are pretty much ignored in the debate about how to keep your pets entertained when you’re away from home.  After all, cats sleep all day and are pretty independent, so they don’t care if you’re there or not, right?

Wrong.  Cats get lonely just like any other creature.  This is worse if they are an only cat, but not just only cats get lonely!  When I was in college, I went through a period where I was gone a lot, spending the night away from home many nights.  One of my cats started acting out because it upset her so much.

Here are a few ways to make sure your cats are entertained and happy even when you’re away from home.

1. Make sure they have comfortable places to sleep.  Most cats are pretty ingenious in the sleeping spots they choose, but make sure you leave something available to them — your bed is the best option, because they can smell you, but the couch and cat houses are other favorite sleeping spots.
2. Fill their food dish before you leave.  Cats aren’t like dogs, who eat on a schedule just like people.  Cats generally prefer to have food out all the time, so they can snack whenever they please.  This is just how their systems are designed — to digest small meals at frequent intervals throughout the day.
3. Provide toys to keep them entertained and active.  Indoor cats stay healthier and live longer than outdoor cats, but they need more stimulation to keep them active enough.  By leaving cat toys out when you leave you can make up a little for not being around to play with them yourself during the day.  Specialty toys such as Vo-Toys and Zanies cat toys are good for keeping indoor cats active, and Kong cat toys (yes, they even have these for cats!) will help to keep them occupied.

Just because your cat turns her nose up when you’re around doesn’t mean she doesn’t miss you when you’re not.  Make sure she has plenty to keep her content while you’re gone!

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