leaving cat at home

[Meezers]

1) Always block open the doors in your home. If kitty is playing, he could accidentally shut a door on himself and be kept away from litter or food until someone arrives to check on him.

I have left my babies home with someone to come by and I have left them in boarding. I think they did better left at home with someone coming by to check on them.

My brother did this for my last trip to Disney....he didn't come one day and the next one cat was locked in the bedroom and one in the bathroom....now the doors are blocked open whenever I leave the house

I use the crystal litter and it doesn't get scooped as often as it should...so the babies can go about 14 days without a litter pan change. I will probably get a second litter pan for our trip next year....but will still have someone come check...guess I am lucky they only eat dry food

She will be fine....plus you will know who is watching her so you can call and check!

PS....anyone want to come sit in the laz-y-boy and watch the satellite TV while a cat sits on your lap next January?

 

[pediatric-rnp]

This is my one big worry about our trip next year in July. We have a 12 yr old kitty, who is a real lapcat and craves human attention, more so now that she is older. She also has asthma. In the past we have left her alone in the house for our week-ends away, leaving enough food and water, but for anything longer she went to the "kitty hotel". I really like the owner and her assistants - they are true cat lovers, but our cat does get stressed, I think. They tell me she settles in nicely, but last yr when we came home, she was in the vet's office 2 days later getting IV fluids because she was more stressed when we came back. The vet said some cats will do fine while you are away, but once you come home, their bodies just "let go". She stopped eating/drinking when we came home, and never moved from our bed. I was so upset - she really is our "third " child. This was the first time she ever did this.

My dilemma is that she also, a few yrs ago, had an near-anaphylactic reaction to either a bee that she decided to eat, or a spider bite. Luckily we were home and rushed her to the vet, who is nearby. I worry about this happening in our home while we are away. I know this is foolish, as we leave her while we work, etc, but at the kitty hotel, they are there all day tending to the kitties.

I also worry about something happening to the kitty sitter if we were to get one, and her not showing up to feed/love our kitty for days. Does anyone know if the pro kitty sitters (not family ones) have back-ups to do their work in emergencies?

One last (and probably most unreasonable) worry is if someone were to break into the house and the cat got out - our kitty is a house cat, and would not know what to do outdoors, especially if we weren't around. We are in a neighborhood full of dogs and people who don't always follow the leash laws in town. She also came to us declawed.

As you have probably guessed - I have thought of every "worst case " scenario (LOL), but seriously, I would love to hear from others with elderly cats, who have relied on professional kitty sitters come to their home.

 

[dixipixi]

My cats are so used to being outside that if they were cooped up inside for a few days, they would freak!! I'm lucky, though, we live on a large farm and my parents and sister are nearby (on the same farm) and they all stop by at least twice a day and check on our animals. We take our dachshund, basset hound, and our cockatiel to my mom's while we're gone. But someone has to come by and check on our pig, ducks, chickens, fish, and cows. Yes...I'm running a zoo!!!

BTW, I return the favor when my parents and sister take trips!!!

 

[Marseeya]

We have three pets -- a dog, a cat, and a new bird. The dog gets boarded at a great kennel, and we always leave the cat at home and my dad comes to visit with her during the day. By the time we get home from our trip, the cat is starved for attention, so we're a little worried about our upcoming trip since we'll be gone for close to two weeks.

The bird is another thing I'm worried about. We left him at my mom's for a few days over Easter, but she can't handle taking him out of his cage and interacting with him.

Anyway, I just wanted to chime in. I think cats are fine staying home alone, but I'd definitely have someone come check on them if you'll be away longer than a few days.

 

[tbelfonti]

pediatric-rnp said:

Does anyone know if the pro kitty sitters (not family ones) have back-ups to do their work in emergencies?

Our pet sitter requires two sets of keys and they do have backups. They have been around for YEARS. That's a great question to ask when you interview them

 

[pediatric-rnp]

pediatric-rnp said:

Our pet sitter requires two sets of keys and they do have backups. They have been around for YEARS. That's a great question to ask when you interview them

Why does she require 2 sets of the keys - is it so she can leave a set with her back-up? Do you ever worry about someone you don't know having the keys & access to your house while you are away - or are they bonded and insured?

We have a garage entrance to the house also, and it has a keypad w/code which will open the door - I was thinking that rather than leave keys with someone, I would give them the code and then change the code when we come home. The only bad thing with that is if the power goes out they can't get in, but for us that is rather unlikely in the summer, and if it does go out, it is back on in a few hrs.

It's so hard.....they really are a member of the family, and you want to do what is safest and best for them, especially as they become senior citizens! It will also be devastating to my younger DS when the time does come for her to leave us.... they have always had a special bond since we got her when he was 5 yrs old. She just adores him.

 

[Kasmir]

We used to leave our cats home alone when we went on vacation as well, with someone stopping by each day to care for them.

We stopped that abruptly and here's why:

1. A wonderful and trustworthy good friend of my parents watched their three cats for two weeks while they were on vacation. Because one of their cats is very skittish, the pet sitter didn't think that it was unusual that the cat didn't greet her or that she didn't see the cat for a few days. My parents came home to find the three-year-old cat dead under their bed. What did it die from? A urinary tract stone, something that could have been easily treated. The guilt that my parents felt was horrific.

2. We returned home from a long weekend to find that one of our cats had somehow fallen behind the washing machine and gotten wedged between the wall and the appliance. Now he couldn't have been there more than 24 hours, because the pet sitter had been there the evening before and had cared for him, but it really scared me (and definitely terrified him!). Go figure! I had never so much as SEEN the cat get near the washing machine before.

So maybe I'm a worry wart, and I'm not trying to be a downer, but that has been our experience. We have found a WONDERFUL kennel that has a cats-only section and they take great care of our pets. The piece of mind that it provides is well worth it to me. Yes, it can get expensive, but I just budget in that expense as part of the vacation.

I echo the same concerns that others have said about not knowing pet sitters or giving a stranger keys to your home. We asked the the veterinary assistant at our vet's office if she could do it, before we started strictly boarding. She enjoyed making some pocket money and we trusted her.

For those interested in a pet sitter, make sure that they are licensed and bonded, check with the BBB, ask for three client references, as well as three professional references (vet clinic, training center, groomer, etc). This is not too much to ask - if they are going to be entering your home when you aren't there and caring for your pet (who many of us value as a member of the family), you need to do your homework. Ask for a copy of their licensing and bonding and confirm with their insurance agent (which should be listed on the sheet) that their policy is active.

Have a fantastic vacation!
Sheila

 

[tbelfonti]

Why does she require 2 sets of the keys - is it so she can leave a set with her back-up? Do you ever worry about someone you don't know having the keys & access to your house while you are away - or are they bonded and insured?

I believe they want two sets of keys because what if they lose a key or someone calls in "sick" - there is a second key at the office. The last thing I want is a phone call in WDW telling me they can't get into my house.

They are bonded, insured and have a great reputation locally. My mom and sister have used them for their dogs and never had a problem. They were recommended to us 8 years ago when we moved back to the area from our old pet sitter.

We have used friends in the past but this time it just wasn't going to work out.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

Kasmir - thanks for your thoughts. Our cat has a tendency to want to hide sometimes, and when we leave her alone for 1-2 days, I always rearrrange furniture a little so she won't get stuck (she's also a "full-figured kitty", and can get stuck quite easily! ), and we close some bedroom and laundry room doors, which limits where she can wander and get into trouble.

Your ideas for checking out a pet sitter are excellent - I would not have thought to get a copy of their bond/insurance to check to see if it is still active.

 

[spiceycat]

I have used pet sitter 3 times - my last one was a keeper!

the first two - no - it was my fault - they were dog people - not cat people - my younger was so unhappy he ran away.

I have also boarded my pets with the Vet....

big mistake on my part - Spicey, my baby, won't eat dry food - I make sure the vet knew this and I gave them enough cans....

Spicey lose 3 pounds - he didn't eat the entire time we were gone - why!!! they were trying to make him eat cans...Spicey when he was little almost staved to die - I tried everything out on the market - and he finally started to eat cans....

Anyway I learned the hard way - have someone he trusts to come by and give him a fresh can(s) every day or every other day.

My other 2 - can and will eat dry food - they prefer cans - but they will eat dry food.

they are both overweight (but hey so am I) - while Spicey is underweight.

Spicey generally goes with me to WDW. but I am flying with Delta and Delta says that pets are luggage - NO WAY.... He is very happy at FW kennel. I go around 3 to 4 times to feed him and take him for walks.

Oh Spicey will be 19 years old and LOVES to travel in the car... He is going on my Sept and Nov trips!!!

 

[Kasmir]

...and we close some bedroom and laundry room doors, which limits where she can wander and get into trouble.

Duh - I wish that I had thought of that!

Yes, I learned the hard way with a local moving company. They moved our furniture and ripped a part of our new couch and smashed some wainscotting. They had given me a sheet of paper showing that they were bonded, but I didn't call and confirm that their policy was active. Their coverage had lapsed and I had to really fight them to repair the couch and replace the wainscotting. Since then, whether it be cleaning companies, movers, pet sitters, appliance repairmen - WHATEVER - if they're "bonded & insured", confirm that they are.

I was later told by my insurance agent that it's one of the biggest scams out there: A company will establish the policy, pay one premium, receive paperwork, then let it cancel for non-payment and still offer their policy info as proof to unwary customers. Then repeat the pattern the next insurance term.

Okay - getting off soap box now!

 

[dtsaos]

I didn't read all the follow up posts here, but just wanted to add my 2 cents...When my cat was about 6 mo old we left her with plenty of food and water for about 4 days. I thought she would be fine, but she was so freaked out and scared when we got home and she was never the same after that. Now maybe she was too young to do that and that's why it happened-I don't know. But after that I looked into cat boarding places and found an awesome one by us that is like a "kitty hotel". All cats have their own rooms (varying in size depending how much they cost) with window sills and furniture to lay/sit on etc, etc. She always did great there and seemed fine when we picked her up. Unfortunetly she died from cancer last spring. Now we have 2 cats and plan on boarding them with our dog at a new place the same owners opened up that is strickly for dogs but will allow cats to stay in the same bedroom as the dogs if asked. Anyway, I'm sure all cats are different, but I just wanted to let you know my experience. I would never leave a pet alone like that again! I still feel really bad when I think about it and that was 5 yrs ago. Have you checked your phone book to see if there are any kitty hotels by you?

I just wanted to add that the people who run these two places, are true cat and dog lovers, will administer any medication if necessary, spend a lot of time petting and loving the animals everyday and giving the dogs lots of outdoor play time with other dogs. I truely feel that my dog has a vacation when we leave him there. And as I said before, my old cat who passed away, used to do fine and seem happy when she returned from there as well. I think that all animals need companionship everyday just like we do!

 

[we3disneygo]

We left our cat Shadow at home for a week during our trip, he was checked on by my mom and our best friend , once a day. he did just fine. when we got home he was a little stand offish.....but that lasted only the first night.

 

[CaseyJr]

You know, I'm glad to see that someone else actually worries about what would happen to the cats if there was a break-in! Who cares about the stereo and the Big Screen TV -- I worry about my babies! DH & I were just talking about that the other day.

We have 4 (all inside) cats and a ferret. How we handle what we do with them depends on the length of the trip. So far, we have the luxury of having a cat-friendly relative who lives very close and visits the house daily if we're away for more than a couple of days. The ferret is another issue, so he gets boarded (at our vet) almost always.

On our last trip, we also had to board one of the cats who is having renal problems and requires medical treatments every 3 days or so.

Here is our HORROR STORY: This was about 15 years ago.

We went away for a w/end, leaving behind our 2 cats, cockatiel, and acquarium full of fish. While we were gone, our thermostat malfunctioned and the house heater ran continuously. We're not sure exactly how far into our absence it started, but when we got home, the thermometers inside were pegged at 120 degrees, the bird was dead and stiff, and the water in the acquarium was milky and there were nothing but little skeletons floating around. The cats were alive (they'd sought the coolest spot they could find), but we know that if we'd been gone another few hours they probably wouldn't have survived, either.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

Here is our HORROR STORY: This was about 15 years ago.

We went away for a w/end, leaving behind our 2 cats, cockatiel, and acquarium full of fish. While we were gone, our thermostat malfunctioned and the house heater ran continuously. We're not sure exactly how far into our absence it started, but when we got home, the thermometers inside were pegged at 120 degrees, the bird was dead and stiff, and the water in the acquarium was milky and there were nothing but little skeletons floating around. The cats were alive (they'd sought the coolest spot they could find), but we know that if we'd been gone another few hours they probably wouldn't have survived, either.

OMG - you were lucky that with the heater running constantly, you didn't end up with a fire. See - now there is another worry! LOL! I can see that I am talking myself right out of leaving Lucy home when we go next summer - I think she's going to end up back at the kitty hotel, as usual. Now - to break the news to the little queen (well - not so little!)!

 

[krissynkayla]

My cats are 10 months old and one is pregnant and may deliever any day. I was hoping she would before we left, but I leave in a week . But my plan was too get a big bowls for the water and food. And having my uncle check on them every few days. I think they should be fine, don't you all? Any advice? We are only gonna be gone 7 days and I am nervous about this.

 

[Jen D]

My cats don't love being left alone but they are an absolute disaster in a kennel. One of them is especially bad. Remember the scene at the beginning of "Jurassic Park" with the velociraptor in the cage? That's my Frank. It is much smoother when they are left alone.

We have a neighbor with cats. When they are gone we watch their cats and when we are gone they watch ours. Bottles of wine annd goofy souviners for the kids are exchanged.

I cuddle their cats but they don't cuddle mine-- one is a sweet but skittish hider and the other (Frank) is a hisser. Hisses at the guy while her food bowl is being filled, the little devil. The cats hate everyone but me and dh. They don't even particularly like our kids-- they consider them interlopers.

I do get a little punished when I return though. I get the cold shoulder all the way until I go to bed and then they grumpily, grudgingly crawl on my chest for some petting and purring.

With a kitten though-- under a year or 18 months-- it might be good to do a kennel or leave with someone. Kittens aren't that independent yet.