Going on holiday

[fabsec54]

We are going away for a week and leaving our lovely bundle of fluff (cat) in the capable hands of a friend of ours who will pop in as many times as she can during the day to offer food and cuddles. She used to go to a cattery.

Unfortunately I am worried sick that she will be lonely when we are away, even though she seems to spend most of her time asleep. What can I do to reassure myself that she will be ok and to ensure that she won't miss us too much? A lot of friends with cats have reassured me that home is the best place for her as she has all her home comforts, which includes about 5 different places to sleep!!!

Thanks.

[B00]

Nothing you can do im afraid, except try to leave everything as normal for her as possible, same food out, bed same place etc.

We're the same sort of except its the dog im fretting over. My friend is house sitting for a fortnight from Saturday but she works longer hours than me so the dog and cat will be on there own alot during the day, something neither are used to.

The cat will be fine, doubt she'll notice to be honest, but my dog will fret :-(

So im trying to follow my own advice- ive done the best i can for them, they'll be well looked after, if somewhat a bit lonely, so trying not to worry too much.

[rockyracoon]

I would much rather be able to leave a pet at home, she may be lonely, she may not, as opposed to a cattery where she almost certainly will be lonely. My dog was in kennels this week as I went away for a couple of days, I wish I could have left him at home with a sitter but it's just not possible.

[lankeela]

I'd prefer to leave them in a kennel or cattery where they will have people around all the time and will be safe and secure. I would be worried sick (more with dogs than cats) that they might get out or away from the person looking after them. There are very few people I would trust to look after my animals.

[ladybirder]

Only once and never again did I leave my dog at home when I went on holiday. My family were supposed to look after him. This was in the 80's and they let him escape almost the minute I'd gone and my youngest eventually found him at the dog pound the night before I was due home. Poor dog had lost a third of his bodyweight and was so sick I thought he would die. They may not like the kennels but at least they are safe. There is only one couple in the world I would trust to look after my animals and if they're not available then it's the kennels or cattery and especially if the poor dog is going to be on it's own so much as yours will be.

[Prudie]

fabsec is leaving a cat not a dog. I wouldn't leave a dog but do leave my cat in the same circumstances as you. She is visited twice a day and is normally asleep about 20hrs a day anyway. I worry and feel guilty while I'm away and I'm sure she gets lonely at times but it's a great welcome when we get back. Overall as long as your carer is totally reliable I think staying at home is far less stressful for a cat than a cattery.

[chaptazbru]

What a terrible experience ladybirder.

[paddywak]

Max used to have to go in kennels twice a year for a three day week end and when ever we turned into the lane to the kennels he'd start to whine putting the "guilt" on us. As soon as the kennel maid turned up he'd trot off with the girl, ears down looking sorry for himself and leaving me and Trish feeling guilty. When we picked him up he'd ignore us for a couple of hours before he forgave us.

[boxtops]

We always leave our cats at home - No. 1 son is so neurotic that he would be terrified in a cattery. He's never lived anywhere else - they are all better in their own home, with someone coming in twice a day to feed and water them. They don't mind - as you say, she's often sleeping when you are around. As long as she's fed and the occasional stroke and a few kind words, she'll be fine.

[eyethenkyew]

My answer is not designed to be scaremongering, but I think that your arrangements are fraught with risks:

1: Is your friend a 'cat' person, or used to having/looking after pets?

2: Does your moggy have a cat flap? If yes, it can be a good thing from an access point of view, however, it could attract other moggies through it which could be problematic for yours. If not, is your friend prepared to 'muck out' the dirt tray every day?

3: Catteries are only of any use simply because your moggie would be locked away and fed daily, but it would not like it, I can assure you.

4: You must seriously consider what you'd do if the worst scenario happened, i.e. if anything terrible happened to your moggie during your absence - would you hold your friend accountable, and if so, would it result in litigation, or loss of a friendship, or both?

5: Will your friend have your permission to, if necessary, take your moggie to the vet if anything untoward happens to it? And if so, would you expect her to pay for any treatment etc?

There is no easy solution to leaving a beloved pet behind when you go away. It's a chance you take. I sincerely hope it works out for you.

[boxtops]

ETY, we have a catflap and we know the neighbour's cats come in - ours go in theirs, it's not a problem. Re the vet, the person who feeds our cats knows where our vet is and where our catbasket is, and I agreed with the vet in advance that if any of our animals had to be treated in our absence, they would hold the bill until we got back. I wouldn't expect my friend to have to pay.

[ladybirder]

Thanks chapta, it was a terrible experience. I was furious with them.
Yes, sorry fabsec, got mixed up with your post and B00's re it being a dog. A cat is different I must admit but I would have to have every faith in the person doing the looking after.

[eyethenkyew]

boxtops,

Don't take this the wrong way, but my answer was obviously directed to fabsec, therefore it's irrelevant what arrangements you have or did with yours. (That's not meant to be horrible to you).

[ladybirder]

No question that if my friends looked after my animals and they needed a vet then a vet they would have. Both the vet and my friends would be made aware of this.

[nungate]

There's a lovely cattery about 10 minutes from where we live where we leave our cats when we go away. The lady who runs it gives every cat a cuddle before they are settled for the night. I wouldn't leave them anywhere else, I know they are safe and secure and I can contact her at any time.
In the same area is another cattery, also very good (but more expensive) where they have installed web cams so you can keep an eye on your cats when you are away.

[katdarn79]

Ive got a house cat and wouldnt dare to leave her at home she is my baby, im too scared of a house fire or been burgled and her running off. Not trying to scare you just my reasons for catteries. Every one thinks im mad but i couldnt enjoy my holiday knowing she was in the house.

[fabsec54]

ETY

Thank you for your "kind" words, which have now caused me to cancel my holiday to Tenerife.

[Maydup]

Pets or freedom? I don't think there's much of a middle ground unless you have a friend or family member who will house sit for you while you're away.

[Bambiagain]

I always left my cat at home with firends popping in to feed her regularly. She was not a sociable cat, so cuddling didn't come into it. She had a catflap and managed fine on her own. On the occasions she did have to go into a cattery she hated it. Cats are pretty independant and can cope. Please don't cancel your holiday - she'll be fine.

[China Doll]

We're leaving my cat alone for a week soon. My dad and/or his Mrs will come in a couple of times a day to feed him, and dad's wife will probably spoil him rotten when she is here. I'm concerned he'll get lonely (he's used to one of us being here for him completely ignore most of the day). I'm mostly worried that I'll come back and find that he's gone off on a massive sulk and is now living with someone else because he now hates us... But having cat sat for many of my friends and family, I am hopeful all will be ok.

I can't believe you cancelled your holiday on the strength of one post, that's ridiculous! Especially as Eye didn't actually say anything that bad, you do have to consider those things.

[ladybirder]

fabsec are you serious that you have cancelled your holiday on the strength of what ETY said? You say in your OP that you are very worried about leaving her so why the heck didn't you just put her in a cattery? She might not be too chuffed but they sleep most of the time anyway and at least you know she would be safe.
You could always rent a holiday cottage in the UK and take her with you.