How long would you leave a cat home alone for?

Feral_Moon

Slinky wrote: »

I do feel sorry for my local RSPCA branch that you suggest they do nothing for animals.

They do a huge amount of hard work rehoming 600-700 cats every year and still more keep turning up. We've adopted 2 cats from them over the years and support them with food donations on the several times a year they have to appeal for food.

I never said your local RSPCA branch do nothing for animals. Quite the reverse actually, but these have absolutely NO financial link to the central RSPCA body which collects all the national donations. They are just a money making propaganda machine and the inspectors and animal collectors they employ are often useless, unless they happen to have a TV camera following them around.

I'm glad you support your local shelter, they absolutely need this support as they have to do their own fund raising in order to survive. I wish more people would do this so the animals actually benefit directly rather than lining the coffers of the bigwigs at central office.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

GwylimT wrote: »

No, animals should not be left for long periods, the longest ours is left is four hours, in which case we put her in her room where she cannot get tangled in wires eg fairy lights and harm herself.

We have a pet sitter come in daily during the week to feed her and keep her company. If we went away for the night we would hire a live in sitter if a friend was unable to do this.

Not only will she be lonely, she would need four or five trays, otherwise she would be forced to use a very dirty tray.

Really? I think you're being a tad overprotective there. I've left my cat overnight - she was fine. My tangling in wires (!) and she even managed to use the foul and disgusting litter tray.

If anyone were to take you seriously anyone that worked full time could have a pet. Damn, ever part time workers would struggle!

OP, I've left my cat. I filled a clean bowl with fresh water, as well as her water bowl. Left loads of wet and dry food for her and a clean litter tray. She was absolutely fine.

Edited to add: I also leave my dogs alone three days a week when we're all at work. They get a good walk early in the morning and sleep while we're out. I totally agreed with GR's post re rescues and dogs being alone. My two have everything they could need - including each other.

noelphobic

She's having her Xmas today. I let her open one of her presents and gave her a special lunch.

However, the highlight for her has been that when I unpacked the Zooplus box that contained her present, I found that one of the Whiska's Temptations pots was damaged and had a hole in the lid.

Trying to get the biscuits out has kept her occupied and me highly amused!

I was going to contact Zooplus to complain, especially as the rest of the contents of the box were in good condition, leading me to believe that they had packed a damaged tub. However, I now feel that I should contact them to thank them!:rotfl:

DigForVictory

Where the human is suffering, ask a neighbour if they could drop in on cat to check all is well. Leave food packages in catproof but human accessible view, ideally next kettle?!
Assure neighbour this cat sitting is remunerated, agree a rate (to be paid on return) & have a splendid Christmas day away, secure in the knowledge that not only is your cat being watched over, you have improved neighbour's christmas by having choice of places to hide over festive season...
Have a wonderful day!

noelphobic

I didn't end up staying overnight after all and was only out of the house for around 12 hours.

My son and his girlfriend have now gone away for a couple of days. I'm going there to feed their cats tomorrow night and they will be fine until the next day!

meritaten

I did leave my cat for a week with both my sons 'popping' in to look after him. he was much happier than if he had been left in a cattery (he doesn't actually like being around other cats). and my sons and their families spoiled him rotten!
most cats prefer 'home' and as long as they are fed, and their litter trays kept clean, will be quite content.

gunsandbanjos

meritaten wrote: »

I did leave my cat for a week with both my sons 'popping' in to look after him. he was much happier than if he had been left in a cattery (he doesn't actually like being around other cats). and my sons and their families spoiled him rotten!
most cats prefer 'home' and as long as they are fed, and their litter trays kept clean, will be quite content.

Totally agree, I get a cat sitter in when I'm away, much less stressful than the cattery particularly as they're rescues and get very upset.