You know, cats Rig It Up such that
A) They don’t need you around 24/7.
but
B) You really, really think they do……such that you pay someone to watch TV with them.
That’s awesome. That’s like the cat version of food stamps, a heat subsidy and state-funded vacation all in one. What a safety net!
We used to leave our cat at home, with a catsitter coming in once per day to feed, water, do litterbox, and, if Alley* was in the mood, brush her.
We were usually gone about 2 weeks, and when we got back she would be all over us, cuddling and purring and demanding love. For 20 minutes. Then she would be back to her aloof, “I’ll let you know if and when I want to be petted” self.
*Was found abandoned in an alley–hence name.
[QUOTE=RPM;7666279]
I thought I would have no problem with this.
Friend and I are planning to get away for a week plus one weekend - 8-9 days.
I didn’t think I would have a problem leaving my kitties in their own home, with two cat-people friends coming by to check on them, feed, water, scoop.
But I have never been away from my kitties for such a long time! I have cat-sat for other friends, who were away for several weeks.
If I were going to be away for two weeks, or a month, I would want to take the kitties with us. But I do NOT want to subject them to two day-long car trips, only to have a week in a strange place. And kitties aren’t allowed where we’re going, anyway.
I “know” they will be fine. They will catch up on their sleep, maybe annoy each other a bit, get checked on every 2-3 days by two friends who are cat-people.
But I have never been away from them for so long.
Please tell me they will be fine, or what alternatives I might have! I do not want to board them in a cage in unfamiliar surroundings surrounded by strange kitties and within earshot of barking/yelping/howling dogs.[/QUOTE]
When the hubbie and I went on a belated honeymoon last year (10 days), I was really worried about this as well. We had two cats at the time that do not get along. Hubbie didn’t even want people coming by to check on them. We ended up leaving all doors open (no dead-ends between rooms) and setting up a ton of food and water stations and the two large cat boxes. I was a bit worried but we came home to two cats who would not talk to us for a couple hours, then got super lovey dovey for the next few hours, then were completely back to normal. Everything was fine. Litter boxes got cleaned out when we got home. The end.
Cats are not as domesticated as dogs.
We did the same this year when we went on our road trip. Boarded the kitten, left the two grown up cats. Came home to two cats who could care less.
Hahaha. I remember that first trip we took with the cats at home, coming home and after Sushi stopped ignoring us, he started doing his thing for me where he melts down the stairs, usually head first and crying to me. It was also our return home from our honeymoon that got my cat, Sushi to finally start appreciating my husband. Took 5 years to warm up to him, the little turd. The day after we came home, my husband was kicking it on the couch and Sushi came up behind him and started loving him.
[QUOTE=emipou;7669195]
Hahaha. I remember that first trip we took with the cats at home, coming home and after Sushi stopped ignoring us, he started doing his thing for me where he melts down the stairs, usually head first and crying to me. It was also our return home from our honeymoon that got my cat, Sushi to finally start appreciating my husband. Took 5 years to warm up to him, the little turd. The day after we came home, my husband was kicking it on the couch and Sushi came up behind him and started loving him.[/QUOTE]
Maybe my shy kitty will starting loving on my friend after this trip! I know she hurts his feelings now by ignoring him when he comes to visit us.
[QUOTE=mvp;7668963]
You know, cats Rig It Up such that
A) They don’t need you around 24/7.
but
B) You really, really think they do……such that you pay someone to watch TV with them.
That’s awesome. That’s like the cat version of food stamps, a heat subsidy and state-funded vacation all in one. What a safety net![/QUOTE]
It’s not the cats I worry about its the RABBIT…omg he has GI issues, so has to eat regularly, but its not like I can just leave a bale of hay out…he would eat it ALL and probably die! he needs his veggies every day. If he is not let out of his cage enough, he reverts back to “wild rabbit” who grunts and thumps if approached.
What control this rabbit has over me! 
Truthfully I’ve left my cats for a few nights with a sitter who came by daily just to check on them. The only cat I REALLY would have concern with leaving for a few days is my male and mostly because of urinary block issues. He is also the cat the cat sitter NEVER sees. He’s shy hides the whole time… I don’t know if a sitter would notice he was sick one way or another.
He was a feral kitten and just has never lost that hide to be safe stranger danger.
Ours would be an issue with the litter. They are older and use it more so I would want it checked/scooped daily. Also… let’s get real… who wants to use a not-clean stinky port-a-pot that’s been sitting in the sun (this is how I think of unscooped litter pans).
We have someone stop by 1X daily to bring in paper and mail, scoop litter, freshen water etc.
Specifically ask them not to do a headcount for Jess-a-minit as it stresses her out. She will show up day 2 or 3 if we aren’t back yet.
But… also be prepared to suffer cat guilt while you are away…
Almost every vacation we go on we start noticing cat related places - just to remind us about those who are left behind
Tommy Cat Bistro, Nova Scotia
Just last week we were driving in north Central PA and passed a streetsign for
Purrfect Lane
Can’t think of others off-hand, but they do pop up while traveling - at least they do for us.
Twice a day kitty sitter when I go away. Why should their routine change just because I go away. They get fed twice a day, medicated once a day, boxes cleaned at least daily. Plus they are of the indoor/outdoor variety so they need to be let out after breakfast and brought back in for dinner, outdoor water needs to be kept filled (because the raccoons like to drain it at night), etc.
You wouldn’t leave your horse, your dog, your child alone for a week, why on earth would you leave your cats alone?
I leave my cat alone for up to a week at a time quite a bit (at least a handful of times per year). She is an only cat. I have a giant dry food hopper that I make sure to fill all the way to the top before I leave. I also have a water fountain for her, and leave out extra water options. I change her box so she has fresh litter, and I leave her a “backup box” in the house as well. Oh, and I make sure to turn the AC off for her so it’s nice and warm, and leave the blinds open so she can sit in the window and look out at the birdies. 
Sometimes I even dump her basket of toys on the floor so she can actually play with them (the dog usually steals them from her any other time so we take full advantage of kitty playtime while That Damn Dog is at “camp”).
It makes me a bit nervous to do it, but every time I’ve come home to a happy, healthy (albeit a little lonely) cat.
Am I bad that if I am gone for the weekend or an equally short timeframe (48-72hrs) I just fill the bowl with dry food (heaping) and the toilet seat up for water?!?!
My guy is weird and prefers drinking out of the toilet then a bowl of fresh water on the floor…
Anything longer than that and I have my neice come over every day to check on things and flush the toilet for fresh water
I love that you just wrote this:
[QUOTE=jessiesgrrl;7669582]
Anything longer than that and I have my neice come over every day to check on things and flush the toilet for fresh water[/QUOTE]
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