Last Updated: 24/03/2026
How to keep your cat happy when home alone
Keep your cat happy and engaged while home alone with our vet-approved product recommendations. Discover the best interactive toys, puzzle feeders, water bowls, litter trays and calming aids at Pet Circle.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Most cat owners occasionally feel a pang of guilt when closing the front door for the day. Whether it is a full-time work schedule or a quick weekend trip, leaving a feline companion behind is an unavoidable part of life. While those lingering looks at the door can be heart-wrenching, cats are remarkably adaptable when provided with the right environment.
The key to a happy solitary cat is environmental enrichment. Rather than a quiet house leading to boredom or separation anxiety, the time alone can be an opportunity for play and mental stimulation (as well as plenty of snoozing time). By selecting the right tools and products, pet parents can ensure their cats stay entertained, active, and well-fed until the front door opens again. Explore our veterinarian-recommended products for your cats while they are home alone.
A Self-Cleaning Litter Tray
Self-cleaning litter boxes offer a hands-free way to maintain a clean litter environment for your cat. Sensors automatically remove waste after each use, reducing scooping and litter changes. Many also control odors and some track your cat's health. When choosing one, consider your cat's size and the type of litter it uses.
Not all cats will feel comfortable with a self-cleaning litter tray, and it may take time for your cat to get used to the noise and appearance of the tray. It does however provide reassurance that when you are away from home, your cat will always have a clean litter tray to toilet in without having to wait until you're home to clean it up.
Read our article about Best Self Cleaning Cat Litter Trays
A Water Fountain
Have you ever wondered why you cat likes to drink out of the tap or shower head? Interestingly many cats have a preference for drinking running water. Rather than leave the tap running all day, a better option is a water fountain. As well as using a pump to keep the water moving through, these fountains also contain a replaceable filter to keep it nice and fresh. Using a water fountain will also ensure you cat does not run out of fresh, available water and it can encourage your cat to drink more water as well and keep themselves hydrated.
Water fountains are available in a huge array of styles and colours to suit any interior style.
Read our article about How to Increase Your Cats Water Intake
A "Kitty Cam"
Monitoring a cat’s behaviour while away from home provides valuable insights into their wellbeing and what they get up to for their daily antics. Utilising a high-quality pet camera allows owners to observe subtle signs of separation anxiety or stress that may otherwise go unnoticed. These devices are particularly useful for ensuring that cats remain active and are not engaging in destructive behaviours or over-grooming due to boredom.
Modern smart cameras often feature two-way audio and motion alerts, enabling real-time interaction. For pet parents managing chronic health conditions, such as feline lower urinary tract disease, a camera can help track frequency of litter box visits or changes in mobility. Integrating tech into a feline-friendly home environment ensures peace of mind for the owner and a safer, more supervised lifestyle for the cat.
An Interactive Chase Toy
Interactive toys are a useful tool for environmental enrichment, helping to satisfy a cat's innate predatory instincts. By engaging in play that mimics the "stalk, pounce, and capture" sequence, cats can benefit from exercise as well as mental stimulation. Interactive ca toys are particularly effective at curbing boredom-related behaviours, such as over-grooming and scratching furniture.
It can be useful for have a variety of different toys and rotate them frequently to prevent cats getting bored with the same toy.
Read our article about Games For Your Cat
A Cat Tree
Cat trees are essential for an indoor lifestyle as they can provide much needed enrichment to keep our cats happy inside. These come in different sizes and shapes, with various levels and platforms and are essentially a vertical playground for cats.
Specially designed cat furniture provides an area that fulfils a cat's natural instincts to scratch, climb, play, hide and rest. It is a space for cats to explore and extend their territory. There are areas to perch and lounge, allowing them to sit up high and observe the world around them. This provides a sense of comfort and calm, helping your cat feel at home especially when you are away.
An Automatic Feeder
Automatic cat feeders are time-saving devices that can include a variety of features to help make meal time a seamless experience for all. Whether you're looking for style, value, in-depth monitoring of your pet's eating habits, or a way to prevent food stealing, there's sure to be an automatic feeder to meet your needs.
Automatic feeders are very handy if you are going to be away overnight, as you can program them to release food at certain times to keep your kitty fed. If you cat is more of a grazer you can program a smaller amount of kibble to be released every few hours to satisfy their individual needs.
Read our article about Best Automatic Cat Feeders
Puzzle and Circuit Toys
Puzzle and circuit toys are both great for entertainment and mental stimulation keeping your cat happy while you are away.
Place their favourite treats or food in the puzzles for them to find.
A Hideaway Bed
A hideaway bed is perfect for any feline. It provides a confined, safe and comfortable space to snooze the day away. Their hooded design traps heat and well as providing a visual barrier from the rest of the house for a peaceful slumber.
Read our article about Best Cat Beds: How to Choose the Perfect Bed for Your Cat
A Cat Flap
Pet doors are ideal if you have an enclosed balcony, courtyard or cat enclosure that you would like your cat to have access to when you are not home. There are options for microchip sensing to ensure only your cat has access and some pet doors can be controlled via an app to give you access to remotely lock it at any time if you wish. Some fresh air and vitamin D in a safe and secure environment can provide your kitty with more opportunities to explore an be entertained.
The Use of Pheromones
The use of pheromones can create a sense of security and help to reduce anxiety in sensitive cats or in multi-cat households.
Feliway products mimic natural cat pheromones, helping to create a calming and reassuring environment for your cat.
Read our article about Your Guide To Using Feliway
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed Mar 25 2026
Edited by Dr Angie Armstrong BVScDr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
