Cat Home Alone

[Jayne-123]

I am just booked a three night break away, the problem is all the catteries are booked up and I don't have anyone to take care of my cat. My dilemma is do I leave him at home and leave a big bag of dry food out, would he be OK?

[murraymints]

Do you have cat flap? If you do and leave plenty of water too...then it should be ok....close off doors to rooms where it may scratch !

[Sam1960]

can a neighbour or a friend not pop in to attend to your cat ?

[Jayne-123]

My cat is very much an indoor cat, he does go out occasionally but prefers to be inside.

[murraymints]

Does he use a tray ?

[IggyB]

you could hire a cat feeding service to come in just to check they are ok, feed them, play with them for a little bit?

[Jayne-123]

Yes he does use a tray and I don't really have anyone who can pop in, my aunt has offered to look after him at her house but worried he might escape.

[Sam1960]

think again about yor aunts offer, i'm sure she will look after your cat just fine

[puzzled54]

You can get an automatic cat feeder (google it). Don't know how good they are, but its worth a look.

[murraymints]

Might be a bit messy and smelly to come back to, otherwise it should be fine, they are very self sufficient, leave toys out too, maybe a radio on for "company"

[Wharton]

3 nights
3 litter trays
3 bowls of fresh food
3 bowls of dried food
3 bowls of fresh water

The cat will be ok but don't expect purrs when you come back.

[askyourgran]

My daughter is having the same problem, she is coming to stay with us over Christmas. Her neighbour has popped in to see to his food and let him in and out at night but only for two days, this time it will be longer. Somehow I am expecting her to arrive at Christmas with the cat + his entranklements. My neighbours opposite often go away for the weekend leaving two cats I think they have a timer which opens their food tray (not ideal), and I think they have a catflap which solves the problem of the full litter tray. I'd chance it letting your aunt look after it and watch out for it when he goes out.

[bednobs]

personally i thing 3 days is just ont he right side of reasonable. Expect to be completely ignored when you come home tho

[Jayne-123]

Thanks all for your advice!

[woofgang]

loving "entranklements"

[stewey]

If the cat stayed with your aunt and she let him out, wouldn't his natural instinct be to attempt to find his way "home"?

[stewey]

Yes, that's an interesting word, woofgang.

[Tilly2]

I really do not know how you would dream of leaving your pet to fend for itself for three days, whilst you were away enjoying yourself.

[Daisybellemay]

Hello,
I agree with Wharton. 3 litter trays etc. HUGE bowl dried cat food, ditto water (never enough even though they pretend not to drink...). Also, the battery-operated feeding dish is great for two days).

Your main problem is what happens if you can't return at your proposed date - I always make arrangements for the creature 'in the event of......' etc

Another thought: if you are turning your heating off: remember cat! I have a small, low-wattage "Back Warmer" in a fleecy cover, with a timer (try Argos). My cat adores it and won't sit elsewhere.
Your cat will freeze or you will have a huge fuel bill if you don't address this issue!
Best of luck!

[woofgang]

Daisy I can't see how the fuel bill would be any huger than if the OP stayed at home?
I am not a cat person, I like cats but have got dogs. I am afraid though that I agree with Tilly, if I couldn't find a carer, I wouldn't go.

[ladybirder]

And don't forget to leave the number for the Vet by the phone so he can get help if he's ill.

And food and water won't be fresh after the first day.

Honestly, wouldn't even consider leaving a cat that long to fend for himself especially when your aunt has offered to look after him.

Please don't.