IMO any cat that has shelter, food, and a loving home is living a good life. Your time away for work won't bother them, a cat will spend 8+ hours sleeping even while you're around no problem. The longest I'd go on a multiday trip is 2 days without someone checking in and cleaning up liter boxes, with auto feeder I think you're good there too.

All that said - I'd still reconsider getting a pair. I wish we got ours together at the same time, we waited 2 years and it was a marked difference in my first cat's personality having a buddy (erm, sparring partner) and I do feel it's better for them in general. They'll do fine solo though. Don't let it deter you from a fuzzy friend.

Why are you insisting on a single pet?

Cats are less socially dependent than dogs, but they are still social creatures who prefer to not be alone for 8+ hours a day.

Either work from home so you can provide their social needs, or get two cats so that their social needs can be met even when you're not there (also makes taking vacation and travelling easier).

Seriously why would you insist on only a single pet? That seems insanely arbitrary.

Two would be better so they can keep each other entertained, but you said you wanted an adult cat and I'm sure there's some poor elderly kitties who would be fine being an only pet. Sometimes the older rescues weren't socialized and don't get along with other animals, so that would be totally fine for you. If that's the case, you almost certainly would have to separate the cat and dog.

I have a "problem" cat that was a spoiled only child, though she begrudgingly accepted a new sister after a while. I'm convinced she would be absolutely content as an only cat.

Sounds like you're in a pretty good position to get cat honestly. Some prefer to live with other animals but others are completely content being the only pet. They're fairly independent and would be totally fine with you being out of the house for work every day. A nice advantage of getting a cat that's in foster care is that the foster parents have a really good idea of their personality and can help you find a good fit for your life. It's generally not a problem to leave them for a few days, ideally cats should be getting more wet food than dry food, but every once in a while wouldn't be a problem. I would say go for it, they bring a lot of joy to your life

There are cats out there who would prefer to be an only cat, so tell the people at the humane society that you're looking for that, and they might even have some adoptable cats to suggest right away. When I was looking to adopt a cat who'd be good with my other cat, I ran across a bunch who were great with people and not other cats. I don't think you'll have trouble.

Many humane societies welcome fostering and it allows you not just a chance to answer all these questions but also a chance to see how well you fit with a specific cat.

Don't allow yourself to get peer-pressured into multiple pets at the start. Every cat is different and some sleep so much and are so low energy that they won't notice your absence while others will miss you right away. Fostering will help you sort this out as well.

I think everyone's life could be made better with a cat in it. The fact that you're aware and concerned with a future pet's wellbeing in your care makes me think you're going to be a great caretaker.

I've had cats my whole life, starting at 2 or 3 years old. Your future kitty will have a good life, even if you are not WFH. Cats are more independent than dogs.

Keep your kitty fed, warm, clean it's litter, and be kind to it. Be patient with it when it inevitably does something frustrating to you - it's a cat, after all. Don't remove its claws - this is like removing your fingertips up to the first knuckle.

There are more things, but these are the biggest.

Yeah, I think it would be a great fit. Cats sleep for 16+ hours a day and can be alone for 2 days as long as they have food, water, and clean litter boxes.

Note that you'll need 2 litter boxes, as there should be n + 1 litter boxes where n is the number of cats. Two cats would be better (most cats like having a buddy) but a single, older cat is totally fine! Just be sure to hang out with them.

I don't know about your humane society, but mine just lets you make appointments to see the cats, you don't have to commit to adoption and they're not pushy about it. You can just cuddle and play with some kitties if you want.

A cat would be perfect for you. Maybe not a kitten, though. They require more attention. Visit shelters, and see if one of the older cats takes a shine to you.

The biggest problems I see are the time left alone and being a single cat. This situation would work fine if you had already established a long relationship and you knew their behaviors, but a new cat, even an adult one, needs to bond with its new human companion, and a few days here and there isn't going to do it well. Then there's behavior, you don't know any of its history and how it might do in your home alone. It could be totally fine, or it could get scared/mad/bored and start tearing up things or even hurt itself. Which leads to the next point, while some cats can be solitary, most do like another companion to play with (can be a dog, sometimes they pair well, but usually cats) so they don't get bored.

I think the problem for you isn't if a cat would work, but finding the right cat, and unfortunately you can't know how they will do thrown into that without time to help them adjust.

You might like to start our fostering. It’s a great way to see if you can fit a cat into your life. As others have said, I think you will enjoy having a kitty. Maybe consider a senior. They are usually low energy

Starting with 1 cat, especially after never having any cats before, is a smart idea. But know that it's very likely a pathway to 2. 2 will almost always be better than 1, unless you're just not ready for the idea of dealing with 2 different personalities. Oh, and never declaw a cat. If it already has been, that's one thing, but expect a lot of aggression, since they only have 2 methods on defense now, instead of 3.

For now, get a single cat from the shelter, tell them about your needs and expectations. Let them know that you, for now, wish to only have 1 cat, and to try to accommodate that. This will get you at least reasonably accustomed to dealing with how cats work; you will be training both the cat and yourself.

Now, maybe you'll never want more than 1 cat, you never have more than 1 cat, you get solo cats, more elderly, and keep on doing that as they continually die every so often, and maybe that's the life you live. And that would still be a good thing, because at least those cats would get some love and care, which is better than just not getting any cats at all.

For now, if you really want a cat, just go get a single cat. Take care of the fuzzball, and give it the love it needs. Maybe you'll change your mind in the future, maybe not. No one knows the future, even yourself. And that's okay.

Just make sure the kitty has toys and scratch post to self-entertain while you're away, and that sounds like a great situation for a cat. Cats like when people give them space, in my experience. If you had a big social life I would say no, but it sounds like you're in a position to give plenty of attention when not at work. Gofor it! I think you'll be quite happy.

And as for the allergies, sounds like you're in the clear. About half the people I know with an allergy can't even be in the same room without having a reaction. Many others would also have a reaction from being brushed on by kitty.

Get a cat. Cats are great. You’ll never want to live without a cat again.

Source: I have two cats.

If you get a self cleaning litter box and a couple scratching posts you will have a good experience. Really w.e toys you get they will be fine with, but they will prefer all the things you don't give them. Straw wrappers, cardboard boxes, paper grocery bags. As for 8 hour days you'll be fine. The cat personality will dictate how it acts when you get home. Our cat acts like I have been gone for years if I leave for 30 minutes, even if my spouse was here the whole time. And other cats won't care much at all.

Most cats won't come on command, but most of my cats have come and cuddle and sleep in the bed. They will play, and they will want to sit with you on the couch. Sometimes less is more with a cat. I give the cat less attention than my spouse does, and the cat tends to want my attention more then.

Warning. They scratch things. Find them alternative things to scratch. And if you have a laptop, close the screen when you are not in the room, or they might scratch the keys out because they seem like toys. Also, when your laptop is closed it is like a warming pad, so they will probably try to nap on it. When you get up from the couch and go to the bathroom, they will follow you to the bathroom, then run back to the couch and try to nap where you were sitting because it's now a warm spot.

They are VERY easy pets. And mostly like warm spots to nap

If you end up going for it I'd get two cats, ideally socialized ones from a shelter or previous owner. That way they're not lonely while you're gone and you can skip the (cute but much more involved) kitten stage.

Not ideal with the time you are spending at work but doable.

Visiting your mum for a couple of days may be an issue. Is "couple of days" just one night? Or two nights and three days? I wouldn't recommend leaving cat on his own for more than one night/two days unless you have someone to pop in on regular basis.

You could consider a cat flap so your cat could go outside when you are not in. Just perhaps not straight away, give him a couple of weeks first.

If you're interested in hearing what the cat thinks, here's a podcast episode about that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHdnqpOFShc