Cat owners

[FlyingDumbo]

How long would you leave your cats without a pet sitter? I have 2 five year old indoor cats.

We have the self feeders and water fountain things. I usually don't mind doing 3 days (leaving on Friday coming back Monday night) we have never had a problem. This trip we are leaving Fri night after dinner, wont be back until late Wednesday. Our pet sitter was supposed to check in twice while we are away, she just cancelled on me she is going on a last minute trip. I don't have a replacement and dont know what to do. My husband thinks the cats will be fine, aside from being annoyed with only dry food & water.

I can't help but worry, but I am afraid to give a stranger a key. How long would you leave your cats? I do not want to leave them alone, but do not have a back up sitter. Ugh. Boarding is out of the question my cat was traumatized last time we boarded him.

Poll to follow

 

[Wall-E1]

I also have the automatic feeder/water dish. I ask a friend to come by every other day to check in on the cat. Your situation is not ideal with the sitter canceling at the last minute, but I think the cats will be fine.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

They'll be fine. We had to leave our kitties for 7 days 2 years ago when my father in law passed away. They had fresh liter (We had an automatic box), and 10 day auto feeders when we left, plus plenty of toys and big windows to look out of!

When we got back they still had food and water even! They curled up in bed with us when we got back pretty tight, but they were absolutely fine.

Cats are so independent. They may not be pleased with you, but as long as you provide the things they need they will be okay for 5 days.

 

[LJRJR]

I think you will be ok if you leave them for that long. In addition to extra dry food and water, I would just leave a few different litter boxes around, even if you have to go out and buy one or two cheap litter boxes so they have more litter to use. Its not the ideal situation, but, they will be fine.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would never do it. I left my 4 cats for 8 days one time but arranged for my neighbor to come in at least once a day and for my niece to come every day as well. She promised to play with them when she was here. They were fine but I was not. Then next trip we had my niece just stay here.

 

[Micca]

Under the circumstances I'd say yes. One caveat: Are you getting ready to travel somewhere the blizzard conditions might delay your return by several days?

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Under the circumstances I'd say yes. One caveat: Are you getting ready to travel somewhere the blizzard conditions might delay your return by several days?

No we are South and going to Disney.

 

[nathalee81]

I think you will be ok if you leave them for that long. In addition to extra dry food and water, I would just leave a few different litter boxes around, even if you have to go out and buy one or two cheap litter boxes so they have more litter to use. Its not the ideal situation, but, they will be fine.

I agree it is not an ideal situation, but they will fine. Definately leave out a couple of extra litter boxes (at our Petsmart they even have the disposable kitty litter boxes you can get and just throw out when you are done with them).

 

[tiggersbombed2]

I wouldn't be happy about it, but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. You have gotten some really good suggestions here. If you have a trusted neighbor, maybe they can just poke their head in every day or so to make sure they haven't trashed the place with a party.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't do it for that long. If one of them gets sick that is a long time to go and could make the difference in life or death.

I would have a very hard time getting over something happening to them that could have been prevented if someone had checked on them.

There is NO one that could look in on them? they wouldn't have to do anything as far as litter or anything but could make sure nothing happened to the water and they were OK.

If you do make sure you leave out extra water in case something happens to the main source and extra food if you are delayed. But I wouldn't do it.

have you called other pet sitters? or do you just not want to pay? Even 1 stop would be better than nothing.

 

[mickeym96]

I think they will be fine, too. Cats are pretty independant. I'd maybe leave some blankets that they can lay on that smell like you and maybe leave a radio on soflty somewhere for them and make sure to leave some toys out for them.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

I wouldn't do it for that long. If one of them gets sick that is a long time to go and could make the difference in life or death.

I would have a very hard time getting over something happening to them that could have been prevented if someone had checked on them.

There is NO one that could look in on them? they wouldn't have to do anything as far as litter or anything but could make sure nothing happened to the water and they were OK.

If you do make sure you leave out extra water in case something happens to the main source and extra food if you are delayed. But I wouldn't do it.

have you called other pet sitters? or do you just not want to pay? Even 1 stop would be better than nothing.

It is not a money issue, it is a letting a stranger in my house issue. I dont know any of the neighbors and my coworkers all live to far (i commute over and hour to and from work)

I don't know anyone and the vet suggested some people from their bulletin board, but these are all complete strangers and I can't decide what is worse. I called 3 of the bulletin board people and they were all sketchy to me ON THE PHONE which means in person, more sketchy, they are like craigslist people know what I mean?

I wish I had someone that was recommended by someone I know. My regular petsitter is a college kid, I work with her mom. She said she wouldnt give the key to anyone she knows at school.

 

[tiggersbombed2]

Does your vet have any techs that might be interested in just stopping by once a day for say $10 a day?

 

[FergieTCat]

I am in the same situation as FlyingDumbo. I have no coworkers, family or friends that live nearby and I do not trust my neighbors.

When I had two cats, I had no problem leaving them alone for a few days. I once inadvertently left them alone for 9 days (I was only planning to be away for 4, but my father unexpectedly passed away so my plans changed) and they were fine. I do not recommend that at all, but that's what happened. Just make sure to leave extra food and water, just in case.

When I went away for two weeks, I hired an insured and bonded pet sitter. I think I paid $200, but there is no way I'd let anyone who is not bonded into my apartment when I am not home.

 

[WDSearcher]

I'd have no problem with three days, but too much can go wrong in a five-day span. I'd want someone in the place at least once during that time just to be sure that there was nothing wrong and to keep the place looking "lived in". Lighting timers and such can only do so much. And the last thing you want to come back to is a burst pipe or a broken-into garage!

Do you really not have a single friend or relative that you trust enough to give your key to so that they can just check in once a day (or even every other day)? They don't have to be a true "cat sitter" in the sense that you're expecting them to scoop litter or spend hours playing with the cats, but I'd be really uncomfortable leaving my house totally empty for five days with no one in or out.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Do you really not have a single friend or relative that you trust enough to give your key to so that they can just check in once a day (or even every other day)? They don't have to be a true "cat sitter" in the sense that you're expecting them to scoop litter or spend hours playing with the cats, but I'd be really uncomfortable leaving my house totally empty for five days with no one in or out.

No we just moved here from 2 hours North of here. That is where all of our friends and family live. We live in an apartment complex and do not know any of our neighbors.

 

[Hannathy]

Look in the "phone book" -you can do it on line google pet sitters- I'm sure there are some professional pet sitters in the area. These people are not strangers they are insured and bonded.

I would hire a professional pet sitter before leaving mine for 5 days. That is what I did when we moved to a new area of the country. found someone with insurance and references. It isn't that hard.

 

[moburg]

How long would you leave your cats without a pet sitter? I have 2 five year old indoor cats.

We have the self feeders and water fountain things. I usually don't mind doing 3 days (leaving on Friday coming back Monday night) we have never had a problem. This trip we are leaving Fri night after dinner, wont be back until late Wednesday. Our pet sitter was supposed to check in twice while we are away, she just cancelled on me she is going on a last minute trip. I don't have a replacement and dont know what to do. My husband thinks the cats will be fine, aside from being annoyed with only dry food & water.

I can't help but worry, but I am afraid to give a stranger a key. How long would you leave your cats? I do not want to leave them alone, but do not have a back up sitter. Ugh. Boarding is out of the question my cat was traumatized last time we boarded him.

Poll to follow

I once came home after a long day away, and found a cat lethargic and dehydrated. Some underlying issue caused the cat to stop drinking and eating, she became dehydrated and lethargic. After a late night/early morning trip to the emergency vet, she got fluids, and recovered completely.

My sister, on the other hand, had a pet sitter who reported that one of her cats was acting a little lethargic. My sister decided to have the sitter wait to see if the cat was better the next day. The next day the sitter found a dead cat.

I have gone away long weekends, Fr-Su, and maybe even a Fr-Mo without getting a sitter. We are going away later this month, Fr-Su. Normally, I would have left enough food and water for the weekend. After the incident with my sisters cat, I think I will ask a neighbor to check in on them on Saturday.

So, yes I think 5 days is way too long. Chances are small that something will go wrong, but if it does, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days before someone finding out could be too long.

 

[WDSearcher]

No we just moved here from 2 hours North of here. That is where all of our friends and family live. We live in an apartment complex and do not know any of our neighbors.

I know you said that you work an hour away, but is there a co-worker who could stop by just once -- maybe half-way through your trip -- just to make sure everything is okay? Maybe give them a gas card to pay for the gas to and from, or take them to dinner once you return.

I've done this for other people at work (and I can't possibly be the only person in the world crazy enough to do so! ). Maybe someone you work with is enough of a cat lover to do a one-time favor, since your cat sitter cancelled at the last minute. Just a thought.

 

[kwelch10377]

I have left my cat for 5 days and she was fine. She isn't a real social cat and honestly she seemed a little annoyed when I got back.