Another Question for Cat Owners - Cat alone while on vacation?

[HFishbine]

We have a three-year old neutered male cat named Miki. He's an indoor/outdoor cat. He'll spend hours inside, but likes to go outside for exercise and to do his business. He has a litter box, but never uses it, preferring to go outside. When he is inside, he is very well behaved, doesn't claw at furniture, but will bat at the window blinds when he wants to go out.

Here's the question. We've only left him alone previously for one night. He used the litter box while we were away and everything was fine when we returned. Now we are contemplating a three-night mini-vacation. I think we can provide plenty of food and water and leave our cat inside. My girlfriend wants to board him, which is what we've done in the past for a multi-night excursion. Considering the cost of boarding, the lack of freedom for Miki and his previous good behavior when left alone for one night, I think he'd be fine on his own. My girlfriend is afraid he'll freak out with unexpected negative consequences and says she'd just feel better with someone looking after him.

What say you, experienced cat owners?

[Lisa0825]

1. I leave my cat at home alone...

My cat freaks out about being in the car, being around strangers, and being in strange places. I think being left alone is a lot LESS stressful to her, as long as I make sure she has the food and water set-up and ready. She has acted the same when I get back from 2 days away as when I get back from 7.

[meegbear]

2. No friendly neighbors?

I give my neighbor the key and ask if she would feed my 2 cats twice a day. I put down a fresh litter box. She'll feed them and then later check if they want to go out. If they do, great. Else they can stay in with in worries.

[HFishbine]

4. Thought about that

A human visit is possible from some friendly neighbors, but I don't know about them letting Miki out; he leaves for hours and the neighbors may not be around when he wants to come back in, so he'd just trot off again.

[demnan]

3. Do you have a trusted neighbor or

friend who lives nearby who is a cat lover/owner?

I don't think a pet should be left alone for a continued length of time, even if all they are fed is dry food. Someone should just come by, if only to spend a few minutes checking water, food and litter box and filling and emptying when appropriate. The person should be invited to sit on the sofa for a few minutes and talk to the cat. Invite them over the first time before you leave for vacation, so the cat knows this person is sanctioned by you.

Even if the cat is shy and doesn't come out they will benefit from the appearance of a person who is caring for them during the time you are gone. That way if there is a problem the person can contact you, and you will have peace of mind knowing that things are alright if you don't hear from them.

Most people will do this gratis if you'll do the same for them. If you don't know anyone in your neighborhood who likes and has cats, you don't socialize enough where you live.

[ikojo]

5. I babysit/house sit for people while they

are on vacation. I typically charge less than it costs to board, someone is in the house and the cat does not get moved which eliminates stress for the cat.

For me housesitting is a win/win situation. I usually get to stay in some very nice surroundings with amenities I do not have in my apartment (pool, cable tv, jacuzzi etc) and I get to be with a cat or dog.

For the animal it's a good thing as well. There is someone there in its home. Boarding is nice for those with no alternative but when an animal is boarded it is only being fed and watered. Anything else costs extra which drives up the cost.

Find a friend you can trust who wouldn't mind staying in your house and adoring your cat while you are on vacation.

[ablbodyed]

6. We have FIVE....

and they stayed home while we were away in Europe for the World Figure Skating Champoinships and a post-skating tour of Holland and Belgium. We had a neighbor feed them and give them some love. The multiple litter boxes were multiply gross, but other than the cats were fine. We expected the cold shoulder, but they were loving right away. It's MUCH better to let the handsome guy (all cats are handsome!!!!!!) stay home. Just be prepared for a smit for a day or so. Under no circumstances allow the neighbor to let him out, for the reasons that you state and just because you don't need the worry.
Enjoy your trip!!!!
We enjoyed ours, though the group we went with was quite a collection. When I'm the SANEST one of the bunch then we're really in trouble.
Did anyone see the pictures of the guy who went onto the ice just as Michele Kwan began her warm-up? It could have been a disaster, instead of a joke. There was no security: we walked into the arena WITHOUT showing tickets!
BTW, I talked to many Europeans and not one, NOT ONE, supported *. Their opinions were so consistant that it was truly amazing. They like Americans, but they distrust, deplore, and dislike our present pResident. This from everyone I spoke to: young, old, well-off and not-so-well-off.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. We have two cats, so they have each other for company. When we leave,

they have: a clean litter box, a big non-spillable bowl of water in the bathtub, and a bag of catfood on its side and cut open so they can access the whole thing.

Our cats would far rather stay home alone than drive somewhere and be boarded. Big time!

[liberalitch]

9. That's the benefit of two cats...

Spooky and Montana babysit each other.... Although if I am gone for more than a night I have Carl (my notoriously gay neighbor.... his self label... not mine) look in on them.... "and extract their love" as Carl says.

[nuxvomica]

8. I've been away for as long as week

Left the cat at home and had someone check on him daily. I've left him alone without anyone checking for almost 72 hours but that's the upper limit. I know he wouldn't be happy being boarded so I have managed to avoid that all these years.

[Lorien]

10. I always hire a professional petsitter

she feeds/ waters/ brushes/ plays with the kitties,changes their litter, takes in the mail, and waters the plants-all for about $14 a day. The peace of mind is well worth it! (Look in the yellow pages under "pet sitters").

[LWolf]

11. I leave my cats alone.

They have their own little pet door to go in and out; I leave a big self-feeder full of dry food (which is all I feed them, anyway,) and and plenty of water. I've regularly left them for 3-4 days, and a few times for up to 10 days. They prefer to rule in their own kingdom; "different" is stressful.

When I get home, they still have food and water, and everything is fine. Except that they hover closely while I unpack and get settled in, and then spend a few days glued to my lap, making sure I'm really "back" and not going anywhere else.

[Lorien]

13. Best to use a kitty fountain if you are gone for more than a day

ever had a drink of water that's been left out for 24 hours? Ugh! Most cats won't touch water that has been left out for more than two days. Those nifty new kitty fountains keep the water fresh and drinkable-plus they have a filter inside to get rid of all the nastys that fall in there after a few days.

[LWolf]

20. In my old place,

I used an automatic water, one of my horses', modified for the dogs & cats. Is that what the "kitty fountain" is like? I have one in a small "pond" that waters my hens; the cats regularly drink there as well.

[rbnyc]

12. I think 3 nights is fine.

Especially if you have one of those awesome kitty fountains. I think it would be much freakier for a cat to be boarded than to be home alone in a familiar place with familiar smells.

If we ever have to leave our cats for more than just a few days, we have a friend visit and play with them and check on them.

[BigBigBear]

14. We get a cat sitter

to come every other day and feed our two females, when we're away on our rafting trips. Yarmony likes to go out and play, but we ask the cat sitter not to let her out when we're away.

Swasey doesn't go out.

[HFishbine]

15. Thanks everybody!

Great advice. Thank you much!

[grasswire]

16. of course he'll be FINE!

I've left cats alone many, many times. Longer than three days, too.

Here's a hint: leave the radio on at a station you usually listen to, at a low volume.

Here's another hint for future reference. Sometimes two cats are happier than one cat.

[Mrs. Venation]

17. Bertha and I Use A Pet Sitting Service

Dee comes in daily to check on our furry kids. She feeds them, pets them, gives them fresh water and scoops their littler boxes. She brings in the mail, too.

We wouldn't leave our furry kids alone for more than one night. What if someone got sick or injured and needed a trip to the vet?

In southern Maryland, I highly recommend Pawfessional Pet Care. They are terrific, and their fees are quite reasonable.

[Kadie]

18. When we are gone more than two nights

I usually have someone come check on the cats. More for my own peace of mind. They always seem to do just fine. I just make sure there is plenty of food, water, and a spare cat box available.

My cats, would hate being boarded. They would much rather be in their own house with their own toys and beds.

[Ratty]

19. I've done 4 days before. No problem at all

Especially if he's well-behaved. Leave LOTS of food. A HUGE bowl of water (and leave the toilet bowl open just in case) and make sure he can get inside and out when he wants. I really wouldn't worry about it or feel guilty or anything. It's not like leaving your kid home alone for 3 days (and he's an ADULT cat after all).

Sometimes other animals and other cats can get in while you're gone. This has never happened to me but it's something for you to consider.

And you shouldn't do it too often. Once, maybe twice a year maximum. Cats get paranoid, grumpy and unpleasant if they're left alone too much.

Oh yeah, and leave your answering machine turned up loud enough so that you can call and tell him what a GOOOOD kitty he is and how much you WUV him.

I definitely agree with other sentiments here. I can't think of anything that would be more disturbing and terrifying to my cat than boarding her in some strange place.