Have I been unfair?

balletshoes

peachyprice wrote: »

It's a cat, as long as it has dried food and a couple of litter trays it won't need to be fed to a schedule.

I think you're making this into a bigger problem than it is.

I do agree with this - if you go into labour/give birth while your friend is away on holiday, and the person who is first in line to look after the cat can't go round to feed it, as long as the cat has been fed, dried food left out plus water of course, and litter cleaned the day before, the cat won't be in any danger being left on its own for a day or so, until your OH has an hour to nip over and check on it.

scottishchick27

I think it's unfair of your friend to put you in this position, no way would I ask my friend who was due a baby shortly to do this for me even if I had fed her cat in the past. I'd just explain that you'll do it as long as you haven't gone into labour. Isn't there a neighbour who could do it?

willow_loulou

I often look after a friends cat (well annually lol) she goes away for a fortnight but the cat cant go in a cattery because - well she cant afford it and go away. My friend lives quite a journey away so what my friend and I do is put down 3 water bowls and she has a gravity feeder that holds 3 days food so I go twice a week. Yes the litter tray is usually full but the cat is more than happy and usually there is food left and always water. As your friend looks after yours maybe you could suggest she gets a gravity feeder (like a big bottle with a bowl at the bottom) and between you and 1st choice feeder Im sure the cat will survive and everyone is happy?

willow_loulou

http://www.petplaypads.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_50

said feeders

merlot123

Get your friend to buy an automatic feeder from E-Bay incase you can't make it for a day or two.

I have two cats and leave them for upto 4 days with plenty of water, two litter trays, a large bowl of dry food and an automatic cat feeder with wet food in.

Make-it-3

No, your friend shouldn't have asked you. Your baby must take priority whether it arrives early, on time or late, someone else's stray cat is way down the list in terms of priorities right now. Yes she helped you in the past, but sounds like she had a cushy time of it making herself at home in your house for the duration. Not having to travel there and back and be bending down sorting out trays and plates with a massive bump, let alone trying to sort out an alternative carer if you do go into labour.

DUKE

No, you're not being unreasonable at all. She asked & you said no & I don't think she should be pressuring you, certainly not in your condition. Don't cats fend for themselves anyway? My stepson's had a rottweiler which he thought he was bringing in to my home, but I've told him no chance.

Lunar_Eclipse

leandygandy wrote: »

It is all very well saying that my husband should be able to do it, but what if I am actually in labour? He is my birth partner, I can't see him saying halfway through 'oh, just got to go and feed the cat!

I think you're worrying too much.

It's a cat, so can easily be left with enough food and water to last 2 days. You'll be very unlucky to be in active labour, in hospital, for 48 hours. It's not impossible, but it is unusual, so the above scenario really shouldn't happen. Also, I think you mentioned this is your first baby, so statistically, you have a c85% of still being pregnant when your friend returns from holiday, with a 5% chance of having the baby that day. It's only something like 10% of 1st babies that arrive before their due date (which will include twins, incorrect due dates etc.) Relax! :-)

Your friend has asked you to be a back up cat feeder. I wouldn't take on worrying about everything that could possible go wrong. I love cats, but doubt this one is going to starve to death in a week!

Brighton_belle

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I think you're worrying too much.

Several people have suggested this. And yes, maybe the op is (or not, I have no idea)...er that is becasuse she is due to give birth to her first baby in 2 weeks. That is another reason I wouldn't place any pressures on a friend in this situation - what seems a small problem to them, may take on bigger proportions for someone in this situation. The may may feel fine, they may feel irrationally vulnerable etc etc. And no. I haven't had a baby, I just listen to how it has been for others and apply a little loving imagination and thoughtfulness.

Would the people (not you Local eclipse) who have been a little damning of the OP saying she should never ask for her cats to be fed again, feel the same if the friend's mother was very very poorly for example, even though there was nothing to be done to help her...might not she feel a little distratced with a big life event going on and not want to take on anything extra?

rachbc

A real friend would not have even asked you to do this being so heavily pregnant - espeically with it not even being nearby but a half hour drive away. Also - its not even her cat - its a stray - I'm sure its wiley enough to get food from some other mug for a few days.