Ragdoll Cat Forums

Howdy!

I have a trade show coming up over the long Memorial Day weekend and am trying to plan in advance what to do about my trio vis-a-vis getting a cat sitter for two nights, or maybe just one night and cutting my trip short (which would require a marathon drive home late at night).

I might be able to get one of my nieces to be my cat sitter, at least coming up to clean the litter box, fill the food dishes and water fountain and play with them for a bit. Is that adequate?

If I am away for only one night is it adequate to provide extra food and water and not have a sitter? I would rather have one, but there is a chance that weekend no one will be available for cat sitting duties.

Help meh!

Thanks!

- Rod

If you're just gone one night, I'm sure the company they give each other and leaving down extra food and water is fine. You may also consider adding an additional litterbox (are yours fussy about a clean litterbox like mine?) It would be nice if you can get someone if you're gone more than just overnight, but leave enough food water and litterboxes and you'd probably be ok for the two nights.

I think that most of us have taken weekend trips and left the kitties unattended with just extra food/water supply. I don't think that is out of the ordinary. But, if you are having reservations about leaving them just have a family member, friend or co-worker pop over and check on them - it certainly couldn't hurt. I would just make sure that the house is kitty proof and make sure there is nothing harmful that they can get into while you are away. Good luck!

I don't have anything to add, as the advice you got above sounds great! I have never had to leave any of my pets un-attended, but if i was gone overnight i would feel comfortable leaving extra food water & litter box and a light timer set to be on in the evening. Two nights i would try to have someone come take a look to make sure all is well.

We have our neighbor ladies who cat sit or come over throughout the day. We also when only being away for a few days leave extra water and food in another room and of course the ladies still come in to check on them and play. They love the cats. So in answer I think either way you want will work.

Have fun and do not worry.

If I am gone for 2 or 3 days at the most, I will leave Solo with no sitter. I leave a tv or radio on for him and a hall light, extra food and water, and replace all his litter. He is usually mad at really happy when I come home too, but we have never had any problems.

I had my sister one time stop by once a day to play with Solo and clean his box when I was gone for a week, and another time my friend stopped by once a day for the same things when I was out of town. I paid them too

Thanks! I feel quite a bit less stressed about this now, thanks to ya'll and your great feedback.

I think I may schedule an overnight get-away just to test the waters; one where I can be back the following morning to see how they react.

You would think these were my own children, how worried I am about being away the first time...

Cheers!

- Rod

Doing a "trial run" sounds great ~ was going to suggest it until I read that you had already done so.

I have left my two alone for 24-36 hours without any problem. I usually leave the radio and a light on via a timer (done to simulate my normal behavior as well as to deter any nosy would-be bugglers). I make sure that the litterbox is nice and clean and fresh, food and water bowls full (I leave an extra water bowl so that they have more than enough water) and that the house is cat-proofed prior to leaving.

Leaving for more than 36 hours I have either utilized a neighbor, family member and lately a professional pet sitter. All have various advantages/disadvantages.

Even when having someone come over, I let my close/trusted neighbors know. Asking them to keep an eye on the house as well as letting them know that someone will be checking in on the girls. I also am in the habit of having newspapers stopped and if longer than 36 hours, have the mail held at the post office. (Once again, not wanting to "advertise" that I am not home.)

I agree with the input you already received here. Just a couple of extra pointers I thought of:

~ I make sure all the interior doors are propped open, so a kitty doesn't accidentally get stuck in a room where there is no food, water or litterbox.

~ I fix extra bowls of food and several bowls water, just in case something gets knocked over and spills.

~ I call my answering machine and leave messages because the kitties in the house can hear the messages and at least by hearing my voice they will know I'm okay and thinking of them.

Also, I have used a wonderful licensed and bonded cat sitter many times in the past. Not only do they do things like food, water, litter, change around the lights, pick up newspapers and mail, etc., but they also have all the info needed for an emergency vet visit AND they will let me call them every day to ask about the kitties, which is very comforting. And they are automatically very careful about entering and leaving the house, etc. since they do it for a living. You can have them come over and meet the pet(s) and at that time you can get to know them too and make sure it feels like a good fit.

I would be worried about 2 nights away, but I have done it before. I'm just a worrier when it comes to my kids. I like one night a lot better than two nights, but I certainly don't want to encourage you to drive too much on too little sleep.