How long is too long?

Buddingblonde

I live very rurally so there isnt much in the way of facilities unfortunately.

I have thought about taking my 3 with me but the family I will be staying with have cats too so that might be a no no (esp given the stress of a long car journey for my 3).
I would rather not have to cut my trip short as the drive is very very long and too much for me to do in 2 days and my visit is due to illness in the family not just a social visit.

I think that I may have to rethink the pet situation as I will need to make more and more trips to see the family and if the cats cant be left alone fpr a couple of days then I will have to get rid (which would break my heart as they are my babies) but if everyone thinks it is too cruel to leave them then it is just what I will have to do.

Fridaycat

I, too, have three cats, and along with the majority of replies, think that what you are proposing is far too long to leave them alone. I have left mine for 1 night, but any more than that, they go into the cattery. I find it odd that there are none around you who could not board all together! The usual number of cats I have is 4 (one passed away in Feb), and I've never had a problem in housing them all together, both in my previous house and where I live now.

It seems to me that you know in your heart this is too long, otherwise why are you asking the question? But you also seem quick to reject all sensible suggestions. Sorry to be harsh, but that is how it is coming across!

A little tale - my neighbour (who, coincidentally, also has 3 cats) went away for a week and asked someone to come in and feed her cats. That person did do that, but because the cats had full access to the outdoors via a cat flap, she didn't necessarily see them every day. When my neighbour returned, one of her cats had a very poorly foot which would have been very painful for puss (and cost ££££ at the vet). The vet said it happened a few days previously, so not long after she'd gone away. Not good.

lostinrates

Have you looked at housesitters who will do cats....there are people who will stay in the house overnight but don't live that locally. They could do just one night. I agree overnight and a day either side is the longest I'd leave mine.

Did you ask the vets or just check the board....a vet nurse might be prepared to do it for a small fee.

A bit out of the expected but what about a freelance groom. They'd probably think it hilarious to be called for cats instead of a horse, but most are friendly with other animals besides horses.

As its going to be a frequent thing what about putting a card up in your vets advertising for someone? And if you have one a local shop or parish coucil notice board? I'm sure there will be someone...just you haven't found them yet...though that must be incredibly dispiriting.

Fridaycat

Buddingblonde wrote: »

I live very rurally so there isnt much in the way of facilities unfortunately.
o.

I live very rurally too, and it is surprising what is available that you may not be aware of - for example, my cattery is down a tiny country lane and you wouldn't know it was there by chance. Have you asked other cat owners in your area if there are any catteries they could recommend that can accommodate 3 cats? Not wishing to labour the point, but within a 15 mile radius of my house, there are 3 excellent catteries I would consider, and all 3 have accommodation large enough to house 4 cats. Or, if this is really bot possible, then house 2 in one pen and the least skittish in another - may not be a great option, but better than leaving them alone or getting rid of them! My Harry cat is very skittish, and he survives 2 weeks at the cattery when we go on holiday. He hides under the blanket and sleeps most of the time. I know this isn't ideal, but at least I know that he is being fed, watered and looked after by a professional

tankgirl1

OP - I am very rural too, don't advertise, but will pet sit on occassion, as will many people I know, up and down the country. If you PM me you location I could try and see if I know anyone suitable.

lazer

We have left our cats before for around 3-4 days, however these were outside cats used to fending for themselves and were not overly reliant on us so they were fine although happy to see us when we got home. I'm not so sure i could do it with house cats

If you are doing it I would suggest an automatic pet feeder
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_sq_top?ie=UTF8&keywords=automatic%20pet%20feeder&index=blended&pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0015NLDRU&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0X7JK9WCV09MCTB4PSK5

Buddingblonde

I am rejecting every suggestion that is not doable in my situation - I live in a remote area in Scotland where there isnt the facilities that you would commonly expect in a small town. There are only 2 small catteries locally that are more kennels for dogs with cats as an afterthought.
I cannot help that there are no pet sitters locally nor can I help that my neighbours and friends up here are anti pets and would not assist me to see a very poorly member of my family hundreds of miles away. Nor can I help that the vet I use does not have any recommendations for solutions either.
The cats cannot get in or out themselves - they would be locked in the house with water, food, clean trays.
I am not happy leaving my cats alone - of course I would rather not have to leave them but this is a situation that I couldnt have forseen and I am really posting here to see if anyone has any suggestions that might be applicable in this situation.

Buddingblonde

I spoke the vets receptionist who in turn asked the vet if they were aware of anyone in the area who watched cats, I have also been through the phone book, yellow pages and even placed ads at work to see if anyone knew of anyone. I dont want to advertise to strangers as I dont want just anyone having access to the house (at least if it is someone through work then they would likely be known to me).

bacardi66

I used to leave my two cats for 2 nights with plenty of dried food and wet food in an automatic catfeeder - they were fine. But they had a cat flap so were out most of the time and had each other for company. If yours are indoor cats they might get up to mischief but I can't imagine they would come to any harm.

As Ive always had fairly nervous cats who don't like strangers I always thought this was a less stressful option than a cattery.

Now Ive only got one elderly cat I don't leave him for longer than 1 night with the automatic catfeeder/dried food and pay a vet nurse from the local vets to come in and feed him and check on him twice a day.

One of my friends leaves her cats for 3 nights/4 days with plenty of dried food and water and they have always been fine.

Having said that I think a cattery is the 100% safest option for cats as they are constantly supervised - whether they will enjoy the experience is another thing altogether!!

lostinrates

Buddingblonde wrote: »

I am rejecting every suggestion that is not doable in my situation -

That's all anyone can do not knowing where you are we can only make suggestions based on generalisations. Yoiu sound upset, but people are trying to help I live in a remote area in Scotland where there isnt the facilities that you would commonly expect in a small town. There are only 2 small catteries locally that are more kennels for dogs with cats as an afterthought.
So the catteries are rules out, I think that's fair (personally I don't like putting my cats in catteries, which is why we have someone stay here )

I cannot help that there are no pet sitters locally

That's why I suggested a less local housesitter for one of the nights...a comprimise on cost v length of time.
nor can I help that my neighbours and friends up here are anti pets and would not assist me to see a very poorly member of my family hundreds of miles away.

No. That's hard on you, but I'm still confident that you'll find someone, though it must be very stressful worrying atm, poor you Nor can I help that the vet I use does not have any recommendations for solutions either.
Are there other local vets? Maybe try calling them all, even the large animal vets might have a vet nurse/employee who'd do it or know of someone.
The cats cannot get in or out themselves - they would be locked in the house with water, food, clean trays.
I am not happy leaving my cats alone - of course I would rather not have to leave them but this is a situation that I couldnt have forseen and I am really posting here to see if anyone has any suggestions that might be applicable in this situation.

Everyone is trying to help. What about other vets' and you advertising at the vets?

re strangers coming in, you could ask for a police check I suppose. TBH, we've just used people we've got through advertising with references (from teachers/family friends if they were young people). There is nothing to say you cannot ask for references, in fact it seems very wise!