Cats are complicated creatures.

On the one hand, they may demand to be left alone for large swathes of the day. On the other, they may make you regret leaving them alone in the house.

Many people get cats as pets because they’re seen as relatively low-maintenance, but some of us have learned that they have their quirks when it comes to their routines, the kind of attention they want, and the expectations and comfort levels with a certain environment.

So if you have a cat or are planning on getting one and you’re not going to be home very often, there are some things you should know first.

1. Cats need playtime

Kittens may be able to entertain themselves endlessly with the nearest dust bunny on the floor. Yet others will simply watch you dangle a toy in front of them for 10 minutes and then somehow get mad when you give up.

First of all, don’t expect your cat to make sense.

More importantly, their brains DO need stimulation, even if that means watching you put on a dog and pony show for a few minutes a few times a day. (Hey, they say it’s the thought that counts, right?)

If you are too busy or not home enough to play with your cat, you need to be sure they have enough toys to keep them entertained. That doesn’t mean buying a pack of $3 plush balls either – you need to make sure they actually enjoy what they’re playing with.

Cats that are stimulated develop bad habits to keep them entertained.

Trust us, they aren’t going to find a constructive hobby if you’re not willing to play with them. Instead, they’re going to chew on things, try to escape, or poop in your shoes.

2. The loners get lonely

Sure, cats are known to be solitary animals. But if a cat is used to being around people or other animals, suddenly being alone is going to make them lonely…and anxious.

If your schedule changes and you notice changes in appetite, behavior, litter box usage, or grooming, these can all be signs that your cat needs more company.

But whatever you do, don’t just go out and buy another pet just to entertain the first one! You could end up with two neglected animals.

3. Someone needs to clean up after them

Gone a few days and figure your cat will be just fine because you left enough food?

That could be the case, but it’s more likely that a lack of fresh food/water and – more importantly – no one to clean their litter box on a daily basis could lead to some “welcome home” surprises.

If you’re gone more than a night, consider hiring someone to come over and clean the litterbox. Otherwise, you’ll be cleaning your carpet or furniture.

4. Respect the routine

Most cats need a routine. There are certain times of day that they know someone will be around (whether they care to play with them or not) and times they know to expect a meal.

If you do have someone look in on your cat for you, try to schedule it for their normal feeding time or a time when they enjoy playing (although no one wants to come over at 3 am during their “witching hours”).

Going days without interaction is bad for any animal, especially since you can’t tell them when you’re coming back.

As a result, they can develop all sorts of anxiety issues and that’s really not fair to them.

5. Boarding isn’t always the best option

Cats don’t like change so it’s no surprise that uprooting them from their home and habits and putting them in a whole new environment with new sounds and smells while you’re not there to comfort them is going to be upsetting.

Of course, boarding can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your cat in good hands. But in situations when you can have someone come into your home, that’s far less disruptive to them.

Many cities have pet-sitters that will do 20-minute check-ins and do a quick change of food, water, and litter, dole out some treats, give you cat a quick hello, and even bring in your mail for you!

Even better, it can be far less than the cost of boarding your cat!

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Of course, there are some days when we simply can’t be everything our cats want us to be.

But if you find that those days are more common than others, you might consider whether or not having a pet is right for you (and fair to them).

While some say that around 8 hours is the longest you should leave your cat alone, that’s not always practical (especially if you work full-time with a commute). But just remember that when you are home you need to give your furry friend some undivided attention – for their health!

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Source: I Heart Cats, PetCube