Cat -vacation?

[lisajl]

I have a VERY social cat, no way in hell would I leave her for even a WEEKEND, I hire a pet setter to come in twice a day to feed her, play with her, do the litter box scoop, etc. On extended trips I pay to have her spend the night here as well. She is like a DOG in many ways, and no one would EVER think of leaving a dog alone, even for a weekend.

I know all cats are different but honestly I think it's ABUSE to leave a pet alone for TEN DAYS! The litter box alone would be horrendous.

Get a friend to come in and watch her or hire a pet sitter, they are not THAT expensive. Anything else is cruel, in my opinion.

I agree with you! Listen, I work for a vet...do not leave the cat alone!! Lots of things can happen and may happen. What do you do when there is no one there to help your cat? How would you feel?
Definately do not leave it alone for more than a couple days.

Lisa

 

[Cruisin]

We would never consider leaving our cats home alone for that long.

The one is really social and needs human interaction on a daily basis.

One time when we were away, my inlaws were coming daily to check on the cats. Somehow one of them was in a bedroom and the door had swung shut and she couldn't get out by herself. Just imagine if no one was checking on her and she did that on the first day of a 10 day vacation

Now I make sure that all doors are secured open when we leave, along with a daily visit by someone.

 

[swankybeth]

The most I would do it is just one night. I'd feel too guilty with my poor cat all alone--what if something happened? Also, my cat loves attention and would be SO upset with no human contact for more than a night.

 

[vettechick99]

Now my cat is the queen of solitude, but I never leave her alone for more than a long weekend. 10 days is far too long, your friend is crazy!

 

[helenabear]

I'd say 4 or 5 days would be tops to leave a kitty alone unchecked. Usually my family is happy to come daily to check on them, or at min. every other day. When we go in Dec, my sister will probably come over daily to check. Just like when they leave for a vacation in Jan, I will check on their kitty daily

 

[chrissyk]

I hope your friend hasn't actually DONE this to her poor cat. I did it once for 2 nights because we didn't live near family at the time and I worried the entire time. What if one of them got sick, I kept thinking? Seriously, cats can get urinary tract blockages (esp males) and could die without help. Please hire a pet sitter.

I was going to post about this. Mine goes with us everywhere because of this issue. He has had urinary blockages in the past, with nothing to predict when one is coming on. In the past, my sister was able to stay at my house and pet-sit for us, and that worked out well. No way would I leave mine alone for an extended period of time with just food and water out. I second the recommendation to hire a pet sitter. Either that, or take him to a cat-hotel/vet boarding place.

 

[justplaingoofy]

For one litterbox I'd say 2 days, with 2 litterboxes I'd say 4 days. 10 days with no contact seems like a long time Is there someone that can come in to scoop boxes, give fresh water, new food? Maybe a kid in the neighborhood after school?
We purchased a "catmate" automatic cat feeder (runs on batteries), and has a couple of cold packs on the bottom. Works well for us.. Good luck

 

[GailT]

I leave my cat for 8 hrs when I work and that's all. I have someone come in 2 times a day to watch after her, 10 days, she would get pissed at me and make a mess of the house

 

[Laura]

You need to hire a pet sitter or have the kitty boarded somewhere. Pet sitting is probably the best option for a cat--none that I've had like to take trips anywhere. They prefer to stay home. For any trip longer than 2 nights, I have had someone come in and take care of things.

 

[Martha7]

If you need to find a petsitter, call a local vet or petstore and see if they know of any. I know you're new to the area, but you'll have to do this eventually, so it may as well be now. Besides the obvious issues of leaving your cat alone this long, many things can happen to your house as well, such as pipes freezing, bursting and flooding the house, burglary, etc. If I left the house unmonitored for so long, I'd be afraid of what I might find upon my return!

 

[PLUTO2]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I thought I was the only one who babies her cat and was out of the norm. Will be putting kitty in a pet hotel so I'll know he will be safe. Thanks again.

 

[mum4jenn]

We have left our alone for 4-5 days before. I put out gobs of food and water and I fix up 3-4 litter pans and they do fine. I have also been away for a week before but had my mom come by every 3rd day to scoop the litter.

 

[Meezers]

I have only left the babies for about 48 hours.

On our first trip to WDW I had a pet sitter (neighbor)...their cell phone broke...couldn't contact them...too scared...had to call Mom's neighbor to go and check the babies.

After much discussion...this trip the babies are going to the "spa" for the trip. There is a place called Best Friends....all they do is boarding and grooming...they even have day care.

We decided that to leave the cats (my 2 and Mom's one at her house) that long might have some reprucissions behavior wise that we didn't want to deal with (going potty in the wrong place or tearing up furniture)...that is why they are going on "vacation" the same time we are...

You should see the place they stay...a 4 level kitty condo with private toilet area...the GF for cats!

Please note my tag and that the cats are a little spoiled!

 

[PLUTO2]

You should see the place they stay...a 4 level kitty condo with private toilet area...the GF for cats!

Wow! Sounds great.

 

[Meezers]

Best Friends is a national chain...google it and see if there is one near you....plus you can see the kitty condos...

Can't type any more....cat wants petting and has shoved my hands off the keyboard!

 

[PLUTO2]

Best Friends is a national chain...google it and see if there is one near you....plus you can see the kitty condos...

Can't type any more....cat wants petting and has shoved my hands off the keyboard!

 

[Martha7]

I have a friend whose ageing dog actually jumped on top of her bed and pooped on the comforter to register her displeasure with being left in the hands of petsitters! Maybe the boarding facility really is the way to go! Good luck with your kitty! Hey! No cat smilie? What's up with that?

 

[Meezers]

Yep...the whole pooping thing would not be good...

Cats don't like the word "boarding"....so they are spending a week at the "spa". And getting manicures and pedicures...no lipo suction needed...skinny Siamese cats!

 

[aprincessmom]

We've left the cat for two days with extra food and water. Anything longer than that I have someone come in, feed her, give her water, play with her, brush her and empty the litter box.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We leave our cats up to 5 days...we set up extra litter boxes and we set up extra food and water.

By then our cats are stalking the door when we get back wanting interaction with their humans.

I could see if their cats are fairly independent, that 10 days...might work....but you would need extra extra of everything..and then be prepared to meet up with a really miffed kitty upon return. Too risky IMHO.