Leaving Your Cat Alone All Day Is Against The Law in Sweden

The Law Explained

Sweden’s current animal welfare framework took effect in April 2019 through the Animal Welfare Act (2018:1192) and the Animal Welfare Ordinance (2019:66). Detailed guidance for cat care is published by Jordbruksverket, the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Under these statutes, cat owners must check on their cats at least twice a day to ensure their wellbeing. The rule applies to all cats kept in Sweden, including:


• Indoor cats

• Outdoor cats

• Barn cats or working farm cats

The expectation is that an owner or caretaker physically verifies the animal’s condition. Simply leaving food and water for several days does not meet the requirement.

The twice-daily standard is considered the minimum level of supervision. In some situations, cats must be monitored more frequently. Examples include:


• Newborn kittens requiring close supervision

• Cats that are sick or recovering from injury

• Pregnant cats approaching their due date

• Cats displaying unusual behavior or signs of distress


These situations require owners to adjust their care schedule accordingly.

Why Sweden Takes This Approach

Sweden’s animal welfare laws are based on the idea that animals should not only be protected from harm but also provided with conditions that support their wellbeing.


Regular supervision helps ensure that illness, injury, or environmental problems are noticed quickly. Because cats often hide signs of illness, frequent observation makes it easier for owners to detect subtle changes in behavior or appetite.


The twice-daily rule reflects this philosophy and treats animal care as a clear responsibility rather than a casual preference.

Who Needs to Pay Attention

The rule applies to anyone keeping a cat within Sweden’s borders. That includes residents, long-term visitors, and anyone temporarily responsible for a cat’s care.


Situations where the rule becomes especially relevant include:


• Residents planning travel who must arrange daily cat care before leaving

• Expats living in Sweden with pets

• People house-sitting or caring for someone else’s cat

• Remote workers staying in Sweden for extended periods

• Anyone adopting or fostering a cat in the country

If an owner plans to travel, they’ll need to arrange for someone to check on the cat twice a day. That could be a neighbor, a professional cat sitter, or a boarding facility.

Automated feeders or water dispensers on their own don’t meet the legal requirement because someone still needs to physically check on the cat.

When Additional Permits Are Required

Most cat owners in Sweden don’t need a permit. However, the thresholds vary depending on what you’re doing, and they’re lower than most people expect.

A permit from the county administrative board (Länsstyrelsen) is required if someone:

• Keeps 10 or more adult cats of their own (cats over 12 months old)

• Breeds 3 or more litters per year, or breeds cats commercially at any scale

• Boards or houses 4 or more other people’s cats at the same time

• Sells cats from 3 or more litters per year, or sells commercially at any scale

• Rents out 3 or more cats per year, or does so commercially

• Runs any professional or commercial operation involving cats, regardless of scale

Operating under these circumstances without a permit is considered a violation of Swedish law. The permit process typically includes inspections of the environment where animals are kept.

Full guidance is available from the Swedish Board of Agriculture: How to Take Care of Your Cat (Jordbruksverket).

Other Swedish Cat Rules Worth Knowing

The twice-daily check rule is part of a broader animal welfare framework that can surprise people new to Sweden.

Additional rules include:

• Cats may not be permanently tethered or tied up

• Kittens must remain with their mother until at least 12 weeks of age

• Declawing is illegal unless medically necessary

• Early-generation hybrids between domestic cats and wild species are prohibited

• Owners are responsible for preventing uncontrolled breeding

• Indoor cats must have climbing areas, scratching surfaces, hiding places, and natural daylight

• Environmental enrichment is considered essential for indoor cats

These standards reflect Sweden’s emphasis on both physical health and behavioral wellbeing.

Many countries publish animal welfare recommendations for pet owners, but those guidelines are not always legally binding. Sweden takes a different approach by placing many expectations directly into law.

The country’s dog walking requirement gained international attention in 2025, and the cat supervision rule is now receiving similar interest. Both policies are part of the same animal welfare framework.

For people relocating to Sweden or spending extended time there with pets, understanding these rules helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures animals receive the level of care expected under Swedish law. For most owners, the requirement simply formalizes something they already do. The key is knowing the rule exists before making plans that leave a cat without supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions: Leaving Your Cat Alone All Day Is Against The Law in Sweden

Is it illegal to leave your cat alone in Sweden?

You can leave your cat at home, but someone must check on it at least twice a day. Failing to arrange these check-ins can lead to enforcement actions.

When did Sweden’s cat welfare rule take effect?

The current framework took effect in April 2019 under the Animal Welfare Act (2018:1192) and the Animal Welfare Ordinance (2019:66).

Does the rule apply to outdoor cats?

Yes. The requirement applies to indoor cats, outdoor cats, and barn cats.

Can I leave extra food and water for several days?

No. Food and water alone do not satisfy the twice-daily check requirement.

Who enforces Sweden’s animal welfare rules?

County administrative boards oversee enforcement and investigate reported welfare concerns.

What penalties exist for breaking the rules?

Consequences can include warnings, fines, removal of the animal, or an animal ban preventing someone from keeping pets.

Do I need a permit to own a cat in Sweden?

No permit is required for normal ownership. Permits are required only for larger numbers of cats or commercial activities.

Is declawing legal in Sweden?

No. Declawing is prohibited except when medically necessary.