Can haz frend?
November 20, 2010 8:35 AM Subscribe
Lonelycat filter: I'm worried that my cat is lonely during the day, due to my intense work schedule. I have roommates, but they're in similar situations work-wise. Is there anything other than getting a second cat (can't roommate allergies can only handle one cat) I can do to alleviate his stress?
My mom travels for work and is away from home every week for at least four solid days. Someone comes by to feed him and clean his litter no more than once or twice in that period. He's as happy as a clam. So yeah, unless the cat's behavior is weird (I mean, weird for a cat) then I wouldn't worry about it.
posted by something something at 8:48 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by something something at 8:48 AM on November 20, 2010
(feed her cat, that is)
posted by something something at 8:48 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by something something at 8:48 AM on November 20, 2010
If you're spending time with him during the evening and he's acting normally, he's probably fine. Cats sleep a lot during the day and are more solitary than dogs.
posted by randomkeystrike at 8:53 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by randomkeystrike at 8:53 AM on November 20, 2010
Some people have good luck with the Feliway cat-pheromone spray to calm cats down in stressful situations. But yeah, unless the cat is acting weird, as a lifelong cat person I can say that most cats don't mind spending (some) time alone.
Also seconding the windows-open-and-more-toys idea.
posted by devotion+doubt at 8:55 AM on November 20, 2010
Also seconding the windows-open-and-more-toys idea.
posted by devotion+doubt at 8:55 AM on November 20, 2010
Getting a second cat wouldn't necessarily make him happy anyway. I foolishly thought the same thing and got another cat to keep Fergus company - and he couldn't stand her. And honestly, neither could I. I found her another home and everyone is a million times happier. Both cats get to be only children and both owners are happy too.
Play with him at night. Get a kitty fishing pole. Throw catnip mice. Pet his little face and tell him you think he's awesome. He'll sleep all day and look forward to interacting with you when you come home.
posted by elsietheeel at 8:58 AM on November 20, 2010
Play with him at night. Get a kitty fishing pole. Throw catnip mice. Pet his little face and tell him you think he's awesome. He'll sleep all day and look forward to interacting with you when you come home.
posted by elsietheeel at 8:58 AM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: Electric toy train set on a timer. Have it go off at semi-random intervals.
Bird feeder in the window.
Aquarium screensaver.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:25 AM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Bird feeder in the window.
Aquarium screensaver.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:25 AM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Before you go too far into this idea, spend some time reading the multitude of "How do I make my old cat like my new cat?" (or vice versa) questions here.
posted by rhizome at 9:40 AM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 9:40 AM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'm a relatively new cat owner, and I was a bit concerned about my cat being lonely during the day. But some time ago, my work situation shifted, and I started working from home a couple days a week.
What I found was that he liked to run around and chase/be chased for maybe thirty minutes of the time during the day but spent the rest of the time sleeping. So, my being home didn't really do a whole lot for him, and there was no actual loneliness issue.
posted by ignignokt at 9:47 AM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
What I found was that he liked to run around and chase/be chased for maybe thirty minutes of the time during the day but spent the rest of the time sleeping. So, my being home didn't really do a whole lot for him, and there was no actual loneliness issue.
posted by ignignokt at 9:47 AM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Cats don't need cat friends. Your cat spends the time you're out taking a series of naps and exploring. If you had another cat (and they got along) they would spend all day doing the same thing by themselves. My cats tolerate each other most of the time and pretty much live their own lives. It is more of a roommate situation than friendship. They put up with each other because they have to live under the same roof.
The only time I've seen cats that were buddies with each other were littermates that were never separated as kittens. Bringing another cat into your situation will wreck your cat's kingdom. So get another cat if you want another cat.
posted by birdherder at 9:52 AM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
The only time I've seen cats that were buddies with each other were littermates that were never separated as kittens. Bringing another cat into your situation will wreck your cat's kingdom. So get another cat if you want another cat.
posted by birdherder at 9:52 AM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
On days when I work from home my cat (who is kinda old) sleeps 98% of the time, occasionally meowing at me and then going back to sleep once I have acknowledged her. I leave some catnipped toy mice around, which she bats around when bored.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 10:54 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by a robot made out of meat at 10:54 AM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: More fun little toys. Only leave some of the fun little toys out at a time, and rotate them periodically so that they don't get bored of their toys.
posted by spinifex23 at 11:26 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by spinifex23 at 11:26 AM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: Yeah, make sure his environment is enriched: things to climb, windows to look out of, and a variety of toys to play with that can be changed out once in a while. Pet him, play with him, and talk to him in the evenings, and he should be okay.
posted by moira at 12:24 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by moira at 12:24 PM on November 20, 2010
You used to be able to buy video's of cats playing for lonely cats to watch. Also, a cat loves to look out a window and 'is endlessly amused at doing so.
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 12:31 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 12:31 PM on November 20, 2010
Response by poster: Yeah, I had a pretty solitary cat growing up. This one is different. He's slamming his face into the door the second we get home. When I'm home on weekends he follows me around all day, although occasionally it's to nap on me. He's only a year old, which might be part of it. But he basically acts like a dog in a lot of other ways too, plays fetch, likes strangers. He's not really destroying anything when we're out, well no more than he does when we're home. So I'll look into rotating toys, getting a cat tree and continuing the games of tag when I am home.
posted by edbles at 1:17 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by edbles at 1:17 PM on November 20, 2010
I thought that about my cat too, and decided to get an aquarium both for myself and as a kind of cat-TV for her as well. I got a tank with 2 African Dwarf frogs, a snail, and some fish, spent an hour before I got them trying to ensure that she would have no way to get into the tank...and she has never even looked at it. Absolutely no interest. I second all of the above that say to give lots of love and cuddles while you're home. If kitty doesn't already sleep with you, let them sleep with you as well- I notice big changes in my cat when I sleep in my room versus at a friends house or falling asleep on the couch, I think she depends on having me around during that time.
With that said, the best thing I've ever gotten for her was a waterfall drinking fountain. She loves drinking out of the faucet, and will gladly play with her fountain for 15 minutes, batting the water around or sticking her face in it and then cleaning it.
posted by kro at 2:17 PM on November 20, 2010
With that said, the best thing I've ever gotten for her was a waterfall drinking fountain. She loves drinking out of the faucet, and will gladly play with her fountain for 15 minutes, batting the water around or sticking her face in it and then cleaning it.
posted by kro at 2:17 PM on November 20, 2010
Lots of great ideas here! Here's mine--leave the TV on for him. I once looked up from my computer and saw both my cats absolutely engrossed in watching a surfer tube-riding a wave. I have one friend who swears they love to watch cartoons.
posted by aquafortis at 3:32 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by aquafortis at 3:32 PM on November 20, 2010
They put up with each other because they have to live under the same roof.
Not necessarily true. I have two unrelated males, more than 5 years apart in age, who came to us at different times. They live outside and have very little need to interact, yet they eat together and nap with their heads on each other's butts.
Different cats have different social needs and expressions. Solid advice upthread about interactive games and toys, and more play when you're home.
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:58 PM on November 20, 2010
Not necessarily true. I have two unrelated males, more than 5 years apart in age, who came to us at different times. They live outside and have very little need to interact, yet they eat together and nap with their heads on each other's butts.
Different cats have different social needs and expressions. Solid advice upthread about interactive games and toys, and more play when you're home.
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:58 PM on November 20, 2010
5 things:
1) craft pipe cleaners. I wrap one around my finger so it turns into a spring.
2) small catnip toy that you can microwave. I microwave it for 5 seconds to warm up the catnip. It makes it very fragrant.
3) a perch or table that my cats can sit at the window and stare out into the garden. I have a bird feeder with seeds in front of the window so they can see the action.
4) laser pointer. I turn off all the lights and just point the laser at the floor in front of the cats and they love to "play with me". Just ten minutes every few days so that the novelty doesn't wear off.
5) refreshing the scratch pads. Just throw them out when they are old and get new ones.
posted by barnacle fan at 5:01 PM on November 20, 2010
1) craft pipe cleaners. I wrap one around my finger so it turns into a spring.
2) small catnip toy that you can microwave. I microwave it for 5 seconds to warm up the catnip. It makes it very fragrant.
3) a perch or table that my cats can sit at the window and stare out into the garden. I have a bird feeder with seeds in front of the window so they can see the action.
4) laser pointer. I turn off all the lights and just point the laser at the floor in front of the cats and they love to "play with me". Just ten minutes every few days so that the novelty doesn't wear off.
5) refreshing the scratch pads. Just throw them out when they are old and get new ones.
posted by barnacle fan at 5:01 PM on November 20, 2010
A view of birds is my cat's #1 favorite thing. As others have suggested, put a birdfeeder where kitty can see it.
posted by Mavri at 5:52 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by Mavri at 5:52 PM on November 20, 2010
I've never understood it, but my cats adore the hair-tie-back-scrunchy things that my girlfriend wears. Nothing is as amusing to them - not the fish tank, the catnip, the toys...nothing.
posted by Thistledown at 6:01 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by Thistledown at 6:01 PM on November 20, 2010
Thistledown, beware. Our cat got really sick from what turned out to be a hair scrunchy in his stomach.
Since our cat can't play with my hair ties anymore, his new favorite toy is bendy straws. He loves them and will ignore all other toys in favor of them. To bring this back to the question at hand, I think part of the reason the straws never get old for him is that he kind of throws them up in the air for himself and chases them, so he entertains himself whether we're home or not.
posted by wuzandfuzz at 7:25 PM on November 20, 2010
Since our cat can't play with my hair ties anymore, his new favorite toy is bendy straws. He loves them and will ignore all other toys in favor of them. To bring this back to the question at hand, I think part of the reason the straws never get old for him is that he kind of throws them up in the air for himself and chases them, so he entertains himself whether we're home or not.
posted by wuzandfuzz at 7:25 PM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: I like to leave new items on the floor every few days for the cat to explore while I'm out. Popular favourites:
cardboard boxes of varying sizes (shoebox to appliance box, they like them all),
dollar store mesh laundry hamper lying on its side,
large pile of laundry,
sheets of tissue paper or printer paper,
crunched-up balls of paper for swatting around,
kitchen chair in the middle of the bedroom- all my cats have always been surprisingly amused by pieces of furniture in the wrong place.
couch cushions half-off the couch to make a little fort,
duvet half-off the bed to make a little tent,
bottom dresser drawer open so the cat can get inside (it's a heavy dresser that can't fall over),
large brown paper bag on its side for the cat to sit inside of.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:06 AM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
cardboard boxes of varying sizes (shoebox to appliance box, they like them all),
dollar store mesh laundry hamper lying on its side,
large pile of laundry,
sheets of tissue paper or printer paper,
crunched-up balls of paper for swatting around,
kitchen chair in the middle of the bedroom- all my cats have always been surprisingly amused by pieces of furniture in the wrong place.
couch cushions half-off the couch to make a little fort,
duvet half-off the bed to make a little tent,
bottom dresser drawer open so the cat can get inside (it's a heavy dresser that can't fall over),
large brown paper bag on its side for the cat to sit inside of.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:06 AM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: We have two cats. I work away from home, and my boyfriend works at home. He reports that when I'm gone, they both tend to vanish during the day, sleeping in any of a number of spaces (on top of the bed, under the bed, on my office chair, in the built-in cabinets in the hallway, under to couch, in boxes in the living room, etc.) and only emerge when I get home from work.
When I come home, one of them meets me at the door wanting to be petted, and the other one comes out and acts all freaked out like he can't remember me and now there's this STRANGER in his HOUSE for about fifteen minutes, until he remembers he likes me and wants to be petted.
If I work from home, they come and bother me in my office periodically, especially in the morning, but end up spending most of the day sleeping until work is over and the house gets active again.
So I wouldn't worry too much - your cat probably meets you at the door and plays because it's time to meet you at the door and play.
posted by telophase at 2:07 PM on November 22, 2010
When I come home, one of them meets me at the door wanting to be petted, and the other one comes out and acts all freaked out like he can't remember me and now there's this STRANGER in his HOUSE for about fifteen minutes, until he remembers he likes me and wants to be petted.
If I work from home, they come and bother me in my office periodically, especially in the morning, but end up spending most of the day sleeping until work is over and the house gets active again.
So I wouldn't worry too much - your cat probably meets you at the door and plays because it's time to meet you at the door and play.
posted by telophase at 2:07 PM on November 22, 2010
« Older Looking for Righty Scissors for a Lefty | Need help translating a letter from French to... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:39 AM on November 20, 2010 [6 favorites]