Weekend Trip - what to do with Cat Options

[CatsRCool]

Hi all,

Need some advice please. In a few weekends time, my partner and I are going away for the weekend to attend a wedding a few hours away.

During this time we are planning to leave our cat at home and have a friend feed him.

He will be unattended half Friday/ all day Saturday and half of Sunday (we will return in the afternoon.)

Our friend is reliable and will feed him and ensure he's got enough water.

My question is - is this ok? Are cats ok to be left alone for that period? Would a cattery be a better option?

Would appreciate your thoughts, feedback and experiences.

[fleabag]

Hmm ask your friend to stay Saturday overnight ..your cat will be fine until he gets there ..and will appreciate the company..they can watch telly together ..

[lynh]

All cats are different, but from my own experience, which ranges from only having one cat to now having six, is that the cats seem to be none the worse for being left alone for quite long periods. If I've been going to be away for more than a day they get boarded (has only happened twice), but for up to 24 hours they get left at home with plenty of water, a big wet feed and extra biscuits, and an extra litter tray. I don't have anyone I would trust with a key to my house or to look after the cats properly.

Strangely, they've never made a mess, even when there's been six of them, and I've not needed to put out the extra litter bowl. It's almost like without the stimulation of having mum around they just settle in for a long, long sleep awaiting my return.

So long as puss has plenty of food and water, she'll miss you but should be fine. Even better if your friend can stay over though. A cattery can be quite stressful and is probably not worth it for just a couple of days.

Enjoy the wedding and try not to worry, although I know that's a big ask!!

[ChocolateDots]

Should be fine for that short amount of time with your friend coming to check on him. Hope you're adding scooping the litter along with checking food and water..

[narbutm]

You could call a babysitter :D and leave them.

[love.my.cats]

If we go away for one night, we don't usually worry about someone stopping in. However, if we're gone two or more nights, we have some family/friends that live close by that can stop in for feeding, watering, playing and scooping. If we're away for long periods, they usually stay at my Mum's. However, we went on holiday with my family last month for 10 days so we had a friend come in everyday. They've been boarded before as well but Samson gets abit stressed so I figured one visit a day for them to stay where they're comfortable was better than having Sammy stressed somewhere they're not familiar with.

[kittenmitten]

for that short amount of time, he should be fine. Just make sure absolutely no windows are open even a crack.

[Lee Lee]

I would just ad that I dont agree with leaving out a big feed of wet. Any uneaten food will spoil and if the cat eats it will make it sick...so just the dry and water. In my home cats and kittens have any uneaten wet food removed after 20 minutes and thrown away.

[CatsRCool]

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and advice.
Just thought I'd post an update, my friend came and stopped by morning and night to feed and play with him and check the litter trays.

Our kitty is happy for us to be home, we are giving him lots of attention to make up for lost time.

I think Friday night to Sunday afternoon was the maximum amount of time we'd leave him - any longer and we'd have someone house sit.

[CeilingCat]

When I go away from home I usually get a cat sitter to watch my little babies since I don't have any family in Sydney and I don't want to burden my friends with my demands :) I did find an alright cat sitter last year through Groupon Offers but not sure yet if I'll use the same service again. For those in Sydney usually I use AhCat which is based in the city, I've had good results with them.

[love.my.cats]

CeilingCat, where abouts in Sydney are you?

[CeilingCat]

I live in Randwick :) How about yourself?

[love.my.cats]

Right near you! We're at Coogee.

[CeilingCat]

Wow, small world :D