Leaving cat alone for several days....
By juliemarie84
@juliemarie84 (642)
United States
June 25, 2007 11:46am CST
I have seen a few discussions about this, but every person either doesn't state how long they'll be gone, or the amount of days they will be gone is different here.
I was planning on leaving my place Wednesday at around 4pm and returning Sunday afternoon. Worse case scenerio I could drop him off at my mom's but that turns at 3.5 hour drive into a 5-6 hour drive because I'd have to take a different highway to my destination instead of the freeway.
I have an autowater feeder that I have tested and it seems to last a week. I am also planning on getting an auto-food feeder for his try food and maybe leaving out a couple extra bowls around.
When I left him for 1 day my apartment was really hot and stuffy and I even had a window open a crack. It was 90 degrees out and I felt bad. I am scared of my kitty being really hot in my apartment.
I don't really have anyone that could check on him. I have an apartment and I'm not really allowed to give away my key, and I only have 1. So if I was to give it to someone, I would have to find them to be able to get back into my place and they don't have a cell.
Any suggestions on this matter. I have hard time leaving my cat alone for more than a day. But I'm driving across the state in a couple days and can't bring him with me to where I'm going. I figured I'd ask mylotters since there seems to be tons of cat lovers here!
1 person likes this
11 responses
@5000ml (1923)
• Belgium
25 Jun 07
5 days does seem a bit long, especially if the weather is going to heat up a bit. It would definitely work if you did have someone to come check on your cat twice a day, but I see that's not possible. If the key really is the main problem you could make a copy of the key and give that to the person. You should of course make sure they return it.
Lastly, do you have any so called cat hotels close to you where your cat could stay for these 5 days? It might be for the best if you're truly worried about him.
@juliemarie84 (642)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I looked up cat hotels around the area and havent found anything. I would just bring him along with me everywhere I go but the travel is very hard on him and he ends up being miserable where ever I take him. He seems happier just staying home...
@Makena1968 (682)
• United States
25 Jun 07
wow, I have the exact same delima. I flew to Chicago recently for five days, came back home for two, then flew to California for six days. I had to leave my kitty alone all that time, in an efficiency apartment, with the ac on. And it's hot here in the Ozarks. I of course left the windows open (I live upstairs). My daughter came over at least every other day, and spent some time with him. I know he meowed and meowed, because he was horse when I returned. I feel awful..I hate leaving him alone...I did give a key to my daughter, and of course my landlord has a key, and he has permission to check up on my cat...but I don't really have anyone to give him to while I'm gone. The first week of August, I'm off again for a week, and this time my daughter's coming with me, and I'm clueless on what I'm going to do...who's going to take care of him. He hates being alone (he's ten years old). I need to find a home out in the country for him, I shouldn't be keeping him in this tiny little place, where he's by himself so much. (I work every day, too.) I've had him for eight years or more. Maybe someone here will have an idea..I need some like you do. At least I know I'm not alone!
@lonestarlawyer (5)
• United States
30 Jun 07
In my opinion, the worst thing you could do would be to give him away. From what I know (which isn't all that much)...cats actually like small spaces, so don't worry about the efficiency. My cats have always loved my small apartment. Please re-think giving away your cutie...Just my opinion, don't mean to lecture you! I'm sure you'll find an answer. :)
@nicolec (2671)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I personally don't leave my cats alone longer than 3 days. Even that is long. It's not just the feeding, but other things. One you mentioned, the apartment being stuffy. But also, what if something happened to the cat. Or just the need for human contact.
Is there a vet that has a boarding service? that might cost a little extra money, but could be worth it. Or do you have a friend where you can drop the cat off at their house?
good luck.
@cmw4562 (239)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I utilize an auto-waterer for my animals, works out fine.
But since you are going to gone for an extended period of time, make sure you set out an extra bowl or two of water. Just in case...
Also make sure you set out a couple of large bowls of food. Just in case...
And dump an extra bag of litter in the cat box. Just in case...
Since your apartment gets extremely hot, you may want to plug a fan into one of those timers that you plug in an outlet, so that your kitty will not overheat.
@blueyesco (156)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Leaving a fan on low might help and ofcourse lots of water. You didn't mention how old kitty is or if you have left him alone before. More than a couple of days is not a good idea in my opinion. Be prepared for kitty to be upset when you get back and will either cling to you or ignore you (they do get angry)
1 person likes this
@lonestarlawyer (5)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I also forgot to mention that I set my thermostat on approximately 80 degrees. Has worked just fine for my cat when he's home alone.
1 person likes this
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
26 Jun 07
I do not have a cat but when I did I would not leave him for more than a night/day. I would have someone watch it for me. Here it is very strict rules on how to treat your pet and to leave a cat alone for 5 days probably would be considered amimal neglect over here.
I think that u are the one that knows your cat the best and if he or she will be ok for that long =)
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
26 Jun 07
The longest I have left my cats alone was about 3 days. It get worried if it is any longer than that. But it sounds like you have it covered with the water and food. The only thing is it sounds like you only have one cat. They get lonely when you are not there. They will probably be pretty freaked out when you get back. Good luck.
@anij34 (317)
• United States
27 Jun 07
I would just deal with the extra drive time and drop him off at your moms house. Why risk his health to save you some extra time. I wouldn't risk it.
I am willing to go away for a day at a time but no more than that. We are leaving on Sunday and won't be back until Wed so we have to have my father in law come over Monday and Tuesday to feed the cats and our Tortoise.
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I have only left mine for a weekend. That sounds like an awfully long time to leave you kitty alone. I would suggest going ahead and making that drop off or see if there is a pet boarding service or a vet that can keep your kitty for you. I will be leaving mine for two weeks in July but a friend is going to drop by and check on them, feed and play with them.
1 person likes this
@lonestarlawyer (5)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I leave my cat on auto-pilot all the time. I put out plenty of food and water, of course and he has great scratching posts and toys. I haven't and won't leave him for longer than three whole days without seeing me, but in the two years I have had him, he makes it through a long weekend just fine. I always notice that my bedsheets are quite ruffled when I get home, which is funny.
I also open the blinds so he can do plenty of "fake bird stalking"...which usually keeps him busy during most days. It's quite a service, really, scaring away those vile jaybirds with a hiss and an arch.
Cats are great on auto-pilot...for a few days. I wouldn't even bother with "auto-feeders" or "auto-waterers". Scam. Just put out several bowls of food and a giant bowl of water. See how much your cat enjoys having all of that at his disposal!!
I don't worry too much about my cat being alone...plus, he can use the time to catch up on his sleep, if necessary. :)
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