Going on holiday and leaving cat...

Dick_here

We're doing this for the first time this weekend for a week since getting her last autumn, she's a 'mature' cat in age terms. The neighbours are happy to come in and feed her etc, so that's good, and if the weather is decent she's happy to lay outside for hours during the day. But... she refuses to use the catflap we've got so she'll be stuck inside (hopefully) for a long time overnight. We've got a litter tray that she will only use in absolute emergencies.

So, anything else we need to consider ? Might she ignore the neighbour calling her in for food/overnight ? What are the chances of her wandering off never to be seen again ? Very low hopefully. And so on. All views welcomed !

PasturesNew

I've fed many cats when people have been away and the cats really don't care. All they want is their food in their bowl. They don't really get attached to owners or care if they're there or not.

So long as the food's in the bowl.

I used to really stress when feeding people's cats. I'd worry if they didn't eat, or weren't eating enough. I'd be religiously keeping the bowl topped up with fresh food and making sure their little bowls were clean. And I'd talk to them and stroke them. But they really didn't care.

They cope. They just get on with it.

However, the neighbour calling her in might be an issue. If she's not used to it, then she'll be off doing her thing and won't recognise the importance of the call. Or care probably. They come if you call, just to check what you're feeding them.

Can you get a small dog kennel type place for her? Out of the wind? Just to be sure.

If I were the neighbour and she didn't come, I'd keep looking and calling every 10 minutes for hours until she appeared (I worry like that).

cazziebo

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've fed many cats when people have been away and the cats really don't care. All they want is their food in their bowl. They don't really get attached to owners or care if they're there or not.

.

So brutally put! :rotfl: :rotfl: But sadly true. The cats are in charge and we're just the minions who feed them, house them, pamper them. My cat always looks rather disappointed when I return from a trip away - think she likes having the place to herself....

Have a great holiday, OP!

x

Little_Chicken

If it were me I'd probably tell the neighbour not to let her out - unless they're 100% responsible. I think it's alot to ask - what if they're going out one evening and they can't hang around to get her in.

My neighbour lost her cat last year as the person looking after him didn't understand the importance of getting him in at night. She never found out what happened - I guess he probably go run over.

I don't let my cats out alone anyway, and i still worry when we leave him home alone that he might escape.

Sorry to be a bit negative, but i reckon she'll cope inside for a week.:D

Sagz_2

I'd agree with the 2nd and 3rd posts - cats like places ..... with staff!

I have 1 semi-feral cat and one nervous nelly cat, both were fine whilst I was away a few weeks back: food bowls were empty every day and both in excellent condition on our return. The dog sitter texted one day as she was so excited that she had seen one of them!

To put your mind at rest why don't you ask your neighbour to practise calling your kitty in for dinner?

I think the outside kennel is an excellent idea, just in case your cats out and the weather turns wet or she won't come in one night.

Hope all goes well - enjoy your break!

Dick_here

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've fed many cats when people have been away and the cats really don't care. All they want is their food in their bowl. They don't really get attached to owners or care if they're there or not.

So long as the food's in the bowl.

That's reassuring, thanks.

However, the neighbour calling her in might be an issue. If she's not used to it, then she'll be off doing her thing and won't recognise the importance of the call. Or care probably. They come if you call, just to check what you're feeding them.

If I were the neighbour and she didn't come, I'd keep looking and calling every 10 minutes for hours until she appeared (I worry like that).

Well, the neighbour was used to looking after the previous occupant's cats over the years, so hopefully she won't over stress about it.

Thanks

Dick_here

Little_Chicken wrote: »

If it were me I'd probably tell the neighbour not to let her out - unless they're 100% responsible. I think it's alot to ask - what if they're going out one evening and they can't hang around to get her in.

Luckily, they're an old couple, they won't be going anywhere

Whilst we do want her in at night, if possible, I don't really want the neighbours having to change litter trays etc either...

Dick_here

Norbertsmum wrote: »

To put your mind at rest why don't you ask your neighbour to practise calling your kitty in for dinner?

It's a bit of teaching granny to suck eggs I guess. I don't want them to have to follow so many rules that they'll not want to offer again, so I guess we'll have to grit our teeth and cross our fingers...

floyd

What sort of food does your cat eat? If its something rattly like dry food in a box your neighbour could try that as a tactic for getting puss inside. We used to do it if our cats were ever gone for a long time, standing in the doorway rattling a box of Go-Cat (this was the 80's before posh food!) the neighbours must have thought we were cracked but it did work.
My Mum has a kennel for her cat and she uses it all the time.

I wouldn't worry too much, cats will usually find some other unsuspecting soul to squat with/take advantage of given the opportunity

One of ours used to get sausages from one neighbour and nicked a rainbow trout from another!!!!

Dick_here

floyd wrote: »

What sort of food does your cat eat? If its something rattly like dry food in a box your neighbour could try that as a tactic for getting puss inside.

She prefers wet food, but will normally come in if a pack of catnip treats are rattled too. Thanks, I'll try to remember to pass that info onto the neighbours !

lady_stardust

We have been away for a week, and the cat is completely fine with that (she has access to the utility room but not the house). The neighbour who feeds her says she doesn't see her at all but can see whether the food has been touched. We said if there's no sign of food being touched for two days then go and have a look for her, but it's never come to that.