1 cat

Question
Hi! I adopted my first cat, a 1 year old male tabby from the Humane Society in March. I am enjoying very much owning a cat and learning all about cats since I grew up with dogs and before this, I knew very little about them.

My cat is very playful and affectionate, I play with him for at least 45 mins every night but he is alone all day while I am at work. This summer is going to be particularly busy for me and he will be spending several weekends alone (Friday-early Sunday). He will have plenty of food and water but I worry about him getting lonely. I have heard that cats do better when there are two of them..I don't really want to get another cat but I don't want him to be lonely. Also, since he is an indoor only cat leaving the house can be traumatic for him but I do have a friend who has 2 young and playful cats. The next time I leave for a weekend, should I bring him over there? I just want to be the best owner I can and I do try to minimize my weekends away but some can't be avoided. My friends all tell me that he will be fine (and he has been so far, maybe a little lonely from what I can tell) and that I am just used to dogs and not being able to leave them alone. Do you think it is cruel to have only 1 cat? Do you have any suggestions as to what I can entertain my cat with while I am gone and whether or not I should bring him to my friends house.
Jen

Answer
Hello Jen, I sorry for getting back to you so late but my internet was down, anyways he will be fine if left alone with food and water for two/three days, just leave him with some safe toys and a radio on, cats seem to like being alone most of the time anyways, they are deffinitly not like dogs who would pine for those few days if left alone and chances are a dog would tear everything up because you left!