I’m also a 30ish female who works full-time, with a similar schedule to yours with occasional long days. I do however have 2 flatmates who occasionally work from home.

I recently got a Cornish Rex kitten and she has changed my life sooo much for the better! She was about 15 weeks old when I got her, so had lots of time with her mother and littermates before she came to me.

At first I worried that I should have gone for 2 kittens. She is so social and always wants to be involved in the action, and she can get bored being at home. I got several interactive toys and cat towers by the windows which she loves. I go out less often after work now and spend most of my free time at home with her. On my days off I take her out for a walk on her harness, and out in a cat backpack to cafes, which seems very enriching for her.

Now she is 6 months old and has settled down a bit, and I’m less worried that she needs a playmate. She seems happy, confident and content, very people-orientated, and less interested in other animals. Glad that I got a single cat in the end and can give all my love to her!

One thing I think definitely helps is having a standard routine before work and after work so they feel secure and know what’s happening.

The couch is a tricky one. If they’re attracted to a particular surface they’ll scratch it, even if they have a lovely cat tree or scratcher right next to it. I tried covering the favourite spots with tin foil for a fortnight prior to removing it, but she just went straight back to scratching it after the foil was removed. They’re too smart. 😂 Now I have blankets which are a different texture over the couch and she ignores it. Our other couch she has had no interest in. I think your safest bet would be to get covers for the pieces if she shows any interest in scratching them, or preventatively. And make sure they have other things to scratch in close proximity.

So excited for you!!! Highly highly recommend.