Please read and advise

I_am_mad

But what if I wanted to go away for 3 nights and I cant get anyone to check on her and all I have is an automatic food and water dispenser? I would then feel bad that I have left her all that time even though she would have food and water.

meritaten

I second, third and fourth everything said above! Cats dont seem to suffer separation anxiety! as long as its only an occasional short weekend away cat will be fine! and it does depend on where you go for your breaks - some places are fine with cats coming along too! otherwise, find a cat dotty neighbour and let them come to feed the cat - with a nice pressie when you come home!
If you dont trust the timed feeding bowls then buy one and use it anyway! Cats love having dinner on the dot! that way you will trust the timer and your cat prob wont even notice your gone!
Dont agonise hun - you obviously love the cat and as long as you are not away for more than a couple of nights the cat isnt going to suffer.

Darlyd

I know someone who had one cat, she got admitted to hospital, no one around to cat sit, etc, the kind ambulance woman, filled the auto cat feeder, and water, litter tray's etc, cat also used the bath if litter tray was to full, as owner was disabled at this stage, she was away for a week, and the cat was fine. she now has 2 cat's, just incase it happens again, they will have company. She also had a cat flap installed, and collar has an electric thing where cat flap opens for them only. ? But they rarely go out anyway, they are house cats.

To many animals being abandoned, and lovely people like you take them in to a loving home. Please don't let weekends come between you, cats will be fine. They are very independent!

rising_from_the_ashes

3 nights would be too long without someone popping in to check on her - if it was going to be this long, then a paid sitter (helpful tips from others above) or a cattery would be needed. A cattery only costs around £7-8/day so not too expensive for a few nights & peace of mind.

hethmar

Im sorry but you do seem to be looking for problems and worrying too much. Why cant you take her to a cattery? You may even find the rescue would accommodate her for payment.

SadBunny

I_am_mad wrote: »

I dont know if I would trust a cat sitter coming into my house. I have looked into automatic feeders but what happens if they run out of battery or go wrong. I would constantly be worried about my cat whilst I was away. I just really want the best for her but its breaking my heart just thinking about it

I don't think a gravity feeder would go wrong.
If it's really breaking your heart - just stay home!

I_am_mad wrote: »

I could get a friend to pop around once during the 3 days away and check on her ...

That's sorted then.
Even better if you have 2 friends - they can each pop round once.
I used to pay a responsible older child to look in on my cats - she took it very seriously.
Instead of going away for 3 days - go away for 2 days, twice. You get an extra day away.
Have you a relative or a trusted friend that lives away who might like a weekend break in your neck of the woods?
Stop agonising and book her into a nice cattery - peace of mind.
Whatever you do - keep the cat!
The cat is worth more than a million weekends away - when you've had her longer, you will understand.

SnowyOwl_2

I echo the comments about taking your cat to a cattery. You can phone a few before you book in - ask if you can visit them, then have a look around, say hello to the residents they have, talk about their feeding schedules and type of food/litter, meet the staff etc etc. A good cattery won't mind, they'll have nothing to hide and in fact will be proud to show their premises off to a potential customer. Some of them even have "cat cams" so you can log in and have a look at your kitty from afar!!

I truly understand that you may feel uncomfortable giving your key to a neighbour, or perhaps feel that asking a friend to call in every day is a bit of an imposition. IMO a cattery is the answer to your problem. Yes, you have to pay, but paying for peace of mind is worth it. You really don't have to give your cat up so that you can have a weekend or longer away.

Edited to add: I have three cats, no cat flap and also work full-time. The cats don't mind in the slightest - I have my routine, and they are happy with their feeding times and litter box arrangements. I take the three of them to a cattery on the rare occasion I have a holiday. The woman there is happy to administer medicine to my cat who needs it daily for life. She also ensures she has my phone number and my vet details just in case something should go wrong, and this really reassures me that my kitties are in safe hands while I'm gone.

ERICS_MUM

I_am_mad wrote: »

But what if I wanted to go away for 3 nights and I cant get anyone to check on her and all I have is an automatic food and water dispenser? I would then feel bad that I have left her all that time even though she would have food and water.

I know exactly how you feel - little cats seem so vulnerable and we feel so responsible for them (rightly so), but there's a lot you can do.

3 nights in a cattery wouldn't cost more than £30 (round here anyway) and wouldn't be too traumatic for YOU ! Take her toys with her and something that smells of you, and she'll be fine. When my cat Eric is at the cattery I call them (cattery not him, wish I could ask him how he's doing ) a couple of times while I'm away to check on him :D

I used to work very long hours but he was fine, as others say he slept a lot. I kept the cat flap locked until I got home and he had no problem using the litter tray during the day.

Don't worry too much, she will be so much happier and cared for with you than at a rescue centre, that leaving her alone all day is a minor worry - for you not the cat.

Good luck

Linda xx

viktory

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Re going away, I have left mine from lunchtime Sat to lunchtime Sun:

They get dried & wet food - I give them their wet just as I'm leaving and make sure there are several bowls of dried left out (I know there's no way they'd get through it all, but.... just in case) and of course, plenty of water.

This is what I used to do. I'd leave several bowls of dried food around, a couple of big bowls of water and a litter tray. Cat was always absolutely fine.

OP - you are either a born worrier or are looking for reasons to give the cat back. You really should have thought all this through before you rehomed the cat.

Caroline_a

OP - if you go away you have several options. You can employ a pet sitter in your home, take them to a pet sitter who has pets in their home, use a friend, family member, neighbour, or failing that a cattery or kennels. It really isnt that difficult, and cats will quite happily settle for the most part with any option, so long as they are fed, given a bit of a fuss from time to time and have a litter tray that is clean. Cats by their nature are solitary animals, most are ok on their own, unlike dogs.

I really think that you are making excuses to return the cat and trying to get us to condone it. You should have thought through all of this before you got the cat - going away for a long weekend does not mean that you have to return the cat, it just means that you have to either ask someone reliable to help, or pay out for the cat to be cared for. This should have been factored into your budget for your weekend, now that you are a cat owner!