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Leaving cat for weekend - any advice?

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  • Agree with BitterAndTwisted, unless there is a pre-existing condition which makes it likely that the kitty could take a turn for the worse there is absolutely no reason to expect that the cat will become ill.

    There are always differences between cats. When we go on holiday in the summer we leave ours outside (because they prefer it - anyone who tells me that my cats would be better in a cattery knows nothing about my cats) and someone looks in on them twice a day to feed them etc. Three of them are fine with this arrangement and treat the visitor as nothing more than a food delivery - one of them is a roamer so doesn't even seem to notice the difference :D The smallest girl however goes MENTAL and cries if she doesn't get hugged so we have to ask them to stay for half an hour to let her get some snuggles.. and then she goes off quite happily. It's the first time that I have ever had a cat that was so obsessive about hugs though :P Would suggest that maybe LittleBottle is best placed to know how her cat will react.
  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Chi used to sulk :(when I was away weekends or came home late from work so I got him Mia to keep him company. I realise this is not for everyone but I think it's something to think about (I see them as my companions not the other way around).

    As you say a good reason to have a pair of indoor cats. Unfortunately Noah does not like other cats, he was tried at his foster home. :( In any case I am presently unemployed so it would be irresponsible and selfish to get a second.
    Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
  • louisdog
    louisdog Posts: 250 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    In an ideal world you'd have someone come in - imho it's a long time for a 7 month cat on her own, be different if she had another cat for company or was a bit older. Saying that though she will probably be just fine. Maybe you can leave her some new toy to play with to keep her amused.
  • Pixiechic
    Pixiechic Posts: 801 Forumite
    I think that your kitty should be fine. We have gone away and left our cat for a similar amount of time and although we did worry, he was okay. We have a few things that help when we go e.g water fountain - keeps the water cool and clear, lasts as long as needed and he prefers running water. I hate the idea of him not having enough and the fountains are so useful! We also have an electronic feeder that you put the ice packs in and set the timer to open each compartment of wet food at set times. This keep the food fresh and he eats at a normal time for him. It took a while for him to get used to but we fed him in it for a while when we weren't away so he got used to it before we went. He has a dry food dispenser too which I leave out and that dispenses as he eats. Two litter boxes in different rooms. My cat will not use a dirty litter tray bless him so I have two in the hope that if one becomes yuk for him then he has an alternative. I leave the radio on too, batteries so it's not expensive and he has some soothing voices, normally radio 4, something nice and calm! He has a treat every night so I leave the treat on our bed so he still has it as usual. Lots of toys left out a little catnip sprinkled on his fave blanket. I can't think of anything else!
    He's not spoilt at all :D When we do go away and leave him, both of us are itching to get home we miss him so much :p I hope it goes well! :)
  • Thanks so much for all your responses, unfortunately I don't have anyone available that I would trust to pop in while I am gone (my family are on holiday) so I will have to hope she doesn't get poorly. She has recently been spayed and the vet said she's in good health so it's unlikely anything serious and requiring immediate attention would come up overnight. I definitely would not be happy to take her to a cattery as when she stayed away before she would not eat or sleep and that was with a friend who she is already used to.
    She has had her own room since she arrived and I really think she sees it as her territory, removing her from that seems to cause the stress more so than the removal of me (much as I like to think she's attached to me).
    I have removed any toys that could present hazards (dangling furry toy etc.) and she's not collared anyway so she can't get that caught.
    Pixiechic - did your cat take to the water fountain with no problems? I have thought about getting one but as mine has a water fascination I tend to think it might become a plaything very quickly. If they're fairly sturdy then that would be a better idea for her.
    Really appreciate everybody's advice, feeling more reassured now.
  • kamperkat
    kamperkat Posts: 214 Forumite
    Just make sure that you tell her before you leave that she isn't allowed any friends around and not to organise a party and advertise it on facebook .... :D
  • ~Chameleon~
    ~Chameleon~ Posts: 11,956 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Fire_Fox wrote: »
    As you say a good reason to have a pair of indoor cats. Unfortunately Noah does not like other cats, he was tried at his foster home. :( In any case I am presently unemployed so it would be irresponsible and selfish to get a second.


    Not all cats get along and would prefer to be on their own, as you're aware. I had to do it for a couple of years but fortunately my apartment was large enough for them to comfortably have their own space.

    Btw, I thought you were currently self-employed?


    To the OP: I'd normally say 7mths is a little too young to be left alone for such a long period. Kittens are usually more active and liable to get into mischief more than an older cat who would sleep most of the time. You know your own kitty though and are best placed to make a judgement.
    “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
  • paddypaws101
    paddypaws101 Posts: 2,093 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I am sure she will be fine.... I am sure i left my brood alone for similar spans when they were younger.
    When you get a chance though....do look around for a local cat sitting/visiting service. There are several operating around here and they advertise in local vets where they are well known so can be trusted. For a very reasonable fee you then know someone will pop in, check litter, food and kitty!
    Or....do you have a laptop or computer with web cam? I am sure it could be left on to monitor kitty. Now that is a modern solution!
  • spike7451
    spike7451 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    I regulary go away at the weekend with the TA & leave Daisy from Friday night thru to Sunday luch on her own & the's never been a problem.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I am absoulutey horrified at this thread. I wouldnt dream of leaving an animal for that lenght oftime on its own. But as a cat owner thats just my personal opinion.

    I think rather than ask on here you should ask the RSPCA for their opinion.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
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