Please read and advise

Mupette

OP

It does look like you are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Cat's cope, end of....

As long as there is water, food be it dry which they will eat, a nice warm cosy bed that's all they want, the only reason they tolerate us is because it's us who provides their needs.

A weekend away, if it bothers you that much then don't have weekends away.

I have a pup (3 years old) and a 8 week old kitten, weekends away is the last thing on my mind.

Stop worrying about what if this breaks down etc etc... leave a big bowl of dry food out, and a big bowl of water, their favorite pillow/cushion, job done.

I've only been a mum to Georgie for a week (today) already i know what i am there for.... change the litter tray / feed me/ feed me again/ milk please.

Now if i went away whilst she was so young now that is a different story, she is still new to my home... she has adapted.. there is a goggie in the house that keeps her in check..

Fleago

I agree that cats can be left for a short weekend if they have food, water and a clean litter tray or access to a cat flap.

However, please check where your cat is before you set off! We had an occasion when our old cat, now sadly departed, sneaked in the open front door while my OH was taking the bag out to the car. Cat then scuttled upstairs and into the bathroom and the door swung shut on him! :eek:

We came back a couple of days later to a cat in the bathroom with crossed legs and a very pained expression! Bless him, he hadn't toileted at all and we think he had drunk water from a dripping tap. He was fine after a loo trip outside and some food but we felt so incredibly guilty about what had happened.

hethmar

With our dogs we either go away with them, OH and I go away on our own separately for a few days or we get one of our sons to come over 100 miles to baby sit them. Pets are for many many years - they give love and pleasure 24/7 which outweighs the loss of holidays for us.

bratz81

I work full time and my cat is grand at home. He's an indoor cat so as long as he has food, water and a litter tray he's happy He spends most of the day sleeping even if I am there anyway!

If I go away for weekends or something, I bring him if I can, otherwise I do one of several things:

*if it's 2 nights away just (say Friday to Sunday lunchtime) I leave him out loads of dry food, loads of water bowls and fill the sinks etc, plus clean the litter box before I go.

*if it's a longer holiday either my friend Brian moves in to my spare bedroom and cat-sits or the cat gets taken up to my dads (who spoils him!)

*if I can take him with me I will.

Any of these options and he's completely fine.

walwin

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.

Cattery, cattery, cattery!!!

Then you'll know she's being fed and watered and has company.
It's too long to leave a cat all alone in my opinion

catswhiskers4

Pet sitters are great. Mine would hate a cattery so I always have a pet sitter. I used to use a company called Pet Pals who were great, but one of the veterinary nurses from my vets advertised as a pet sitter so I now use her. You could maybe ask at your vets? She comes twice a day for £10 a day and she feeds the cats, changes their litter and even opens and closes my curtains so it looks like there's someone in. She's brilliant and I trust her totally. If you use a pet sitter, they come round so you and the pet can meet them first so you can decide if you're happy. It's the only option for me as my cats get to stay in their own house with all their familiar things.

Tiddlywinks

Caroline_a wrote: »

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!

I agree with this poster - you should have thought about holiday care BEFORE getting a cat.

Anyway, now you have to decide whether to stick by your commitment to your cat.

I personally would never use a cattery for an ex-rescue cat (how will they know they have not been dumped again?) or one of a nervous character.

You need to find someone to catsit or visit regularly. Local professional sitters will be bonded and can provide references so should pose a minimal security risk - ask your vet if they have any recommendations.

Do you have any relatives / friends that have kids of school leaver / uni age that can be trusted? They could travel to you (you pay the fare) and then live in (you pay them and feed them in return).

When you rescued that cat you made a promise to care for it for ever - that includes holidays and there really isn't any excuse for not following up on that promise is there...really?

Ilona

Two people have a key to my house, when I go away they both come in and look after the two cats. They won't take payments so I get them a gift. You need to make friends with someone close by who you can trust. My cats have never been in a cattery, they would hate it.
Ilona

spike7451

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

This to me just makes me even more convinced you belong together!


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.

They are absolutely fine - however, any longer than that and one of my neighbours pops in just to check on them etc.

When I lived away and needed to come home (Fri - Sun) I used to drop my old boy off at a fantastic cattery - as Hethmar suggests try looking in local papers or ask at your vets if they can recommend any.


Re going out during the day - don't even worry about that!:) I don't have a cat flap - my wee girl isn't "allowed" to stay out when I'm not here (dodgy knee and I have to stop - or rather try to as much as possible - her jumping from heights so she can't be left out for long periods) and it never bothers her. My boy has the option of in or out and most days he comes in when I yell for her as I'm leaving for work.

If he does decide to stay out, I've got an old dog kennel in the back garden with 1/2 the entrance covered, a bit of carpet on the floor and an old duvet in so he's got somewhere safe, warm and dry in case the weather turns.

By the time I leave in the morning, both of them are usually curled up in bed after a couple of hours "roaming" and can often still be found there when I get home - honestly, they sleep for up to 18 hours a day: http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/43/Cat-Sleep-More-Than-Just-a-Catnap.html

Exactly the same as my Orbit (rip) & Daisy,I go away with the TA on weekends & Daisy is left from Friday night thru to Sunday afternoon & she does OK,Either my neighbor pops round or I leave enought food out for her as well as 2 extra litter trays.(she's a house cat)

Fire_Fox

I_am_mad wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I have recently rehomed a cat and I love her dearly. However, I have been wondering if I have done the right thing. I have been offered a full time job and I don't know if I can look after her any longer. She is extremely adorable and mischevious but I don't know if I have enough time to devote to her.

My main worry is what happens if we decide to go on a weekend away, I have no neighbours of friends who live close by that I could rely on to look after and feed her and its not fair or right to leave her on her own. I thought long and hard about getting her but now I just don't think I did the right thing as I didn't realise it would be such a responsibility. What does everyone else do when they go away for a weekend?

I know a lot of you now will be thinking I am an irresponsible pet owner but I am not as I have come to terms with this and instead of burying my head in the sand am going to do something about it. The shelter made us aware that not all rehomings go to plan and they will have her back but I guess I just wanted some advice on what everyone else would do in my situation?

It makes me sad to think and write this message but I just want to do what is best for her as she deserves it.

Thank you

What a cat needs depends on the individual cat. Some are solitary creatures, some like feline company and can take or leave humans, some like human company and hate other cats.

Cats tend to sleep all day when there is nothing better to do, one that is stimulated sleeps less - but stimulated does NOT mean YOU doing an Irish jig. It can be sights and smells outside, solo play toys indoors, a cat companion etc. Some cats enjoy climbing, some like mental puzzles, some like to play with 'drugged' toys (catnip, valerian, honeysuckle), some are only interested in toys that move independently in a lifelike manner, some watch TV avidly. Work out what makes your cat tick (aside from human company) and provide that.

I will be honest - I didn't think enough about the practicalities of an indoor only cat before getting my last boy (he could not go out due to health issues and my upper floor city flat). I bought a second litter tray, loads of solo play toys (see Purrsinourhearts shop) and a five meal feeder, but did not enjoy my first weekend away as I was worried sick! I could not using a cattery (nervous cat) or friend/ sitter (snow snow snow!) but it worked out fine and was easier the second time.

Whilst you can hand the cat back to the rescue - and are probably contracted to do so - it's quite likely they will not have space in the cattery or with a fosterer. In which case they may ask you to keep her with you and put her on a waiting list: this could be weeks or months, how will that work with your weekend away? Bear in mind at this time of year rescues are full to bursting with it being kitten season and so many urgent cases getting dumped.

I_am_mad wrote: »

The me having a full time job doesnt really have anything to do with it I just worry if she is left alone all day as we dont have a cat flap she would have to stay in doors. I do love her so much and I know she is so much better than me than at the rehoming centre. We want to go away for a Friday - Sunday break but as I have no one to watch her or check on her I dont know what I should do for the best. What does everyone else do? I have been looking at automatic feeders but don't know which one to go for or if they are any good?

I could get a friend to pop around once during the 3 days away and check on her but I dont think I could get anyone else as its a lot to ask for. My neighbours are always out too and I have never had much to do with them.

Taking her back is the last thing that I want to do and I am aware that she will cost alot for vets fees and food etc and I am totally prepared for this and I only want what is best for her.

I am rambling and I am sorry I am just a bit upset at the moment as I don't know what to do.

No home situation is perfect, if someone is old enough to be at home 24/7 they probably have cat-tail-pulling screaming grandchildren OR are at risk of being taken into hospital suddenly. Why don't you fit a catflap? They can go in doors, walls or windows - if the property is rented you may be able to remove a pane or panel and simply replace when you move out. I know of people who have put 'stairs' and 'ladders' in so their cat can use a flap that is not close to the ground! That way the cat gets stimulated by things going on outdoors - other cats doings, prey, the wind - and can get their own food and water if the worst came to the worst and a feeder did not function. If not then definitely use a cattery - three days is far better than three months whilst she looks for a new owner.

Having said all that if you are not willing to adjust your life to accommodate the amount of pleasure and responsibility a pet brings then it's probably best you do rehome her. But I get the feeling there is more to this, perhaps you are having a difficult time yourself, feeling stressed or low mood? :grouphug: The reason I say that is 'wanting' to have a weekend away' and 'taking her back being the last thing you want' and being upset doesn't make sense.