5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Happy While You’re Away
Leaving a pet at home while traveling or working long hours can be difficult for both owner and animal. While cats are often viewed as independent creatures, they too require stimulation, companionship, and care during an owner’s absence. Understanding a cat’s behavioral and emotional needs can reduce stress and improve their overall well-being when left alone.
1. Provide Enrichment Toys and Activities
Cats are instinctively curious animals. Providing a variety of toys and interactive items helps stimulate their natural hunting, chasing, and problem-solving behaviors. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing balls, and motorized toys can keep your cat mentally engaged while you're away.
Additionally, rotating toys and introducing new objects, such as paper bags or cardboard boxes, maintains interest and encourages exploration.
2. Set Up a Window View or Cat Perch
Visual enrichment is especially important for indoor cats. Positioning a cat tree, shelf, or window perch where your cat can observe the outdoors provides mental stimulation. Watching birds, squirrels, and outdoor activity satisfies their natural curiosity and reduces boredom.
Window-mounted perches or bird feeders placed outside a window can entertain your cat for hours.
3. Use Calming Products
For particularly anxious or sensitive cats, products designed to reduce stress can be beneficial. Pheromone diffusers, calming sprays, or treats containing natural relaxants like L-theanine can help maintain a calm environment.
These products work by mimicking natural pheromones or promoting relaxation through gentle scent and taste cues, helping to ease separation anxiety while you're gone.
4. Maintain a Routine
Cats thrive on predictability. Keeping a consistent schedule for feeding, playtime, and cleaning can help them feel secure, even in your absence. If possible, use automatic feeders or timed water fountains to maintain their regular mealtime habits.
Leaving lights on timers or using background noise such as soft music or a television can also mimic a familiar home environment.
5. Hire a Professional Pet Sitter
Nothing replaces human interaction. Hiring a professional, trusted pet sitter ensures that your cat receives personal attention, play, and care while you're away. Regular visits can help monitor your cat’s health, refill food and water, clean litter boxes, and provide companionship.
Professional sitters are trained to spot potential health issues and can help maintain your cat’s routine, reducing stress and loneliness during your absence.
Bayview Pet Care Pro Tips
At Bayview Pet Care, we know how important it is to make sure your cat feels safe, loved, and entertained when you're away. Here’s our advice:
Leave a worn t-shirt or blanket with your scent in your cat’s favorite spot to offer comfort.
Create a “safe zone” — a cozy, quiet space with beds, toys, and fresh water where your cat can relax.
Schedule pet sitting visits once or twice a day for food, play, and check-ins, especially for older or anxious cats.
Provide vertical spaces — cats love climbing, so leave shelves, perches, or a cat tree accessible.
Leave calming music or nature sounds playing — it makes a huge difference in reducing stress.
