cat babysitting - does this sound okay?

[Bigmrsdragon]

My friend is going on holiday and has asked me to keep an eye on her cat for her in a few weeks Friday To a Wednesday.

I have a dog and 4 DCs who will be on school holidays so my plan is to walk my dog first get the DCs ready and go to friends house (10 minute walk)
Feed the cat and play with her till lunch. Go home feed the DCs walk the dog to the local park so DCs can have a play.
Return dog home make dinner. My DH will be home at 6 to take the DCs and the dog and I will go back to friends house and play with the cat and make sure she is settled and has food and water.

This means I will be spending about 3 hours in the morning and 4 at night with the cat. She is an indoor cat. My friend thinks I am worrying about the cat being alone too much because I have never had a cat and I am just used to dogs.
My friend frequently leaves the cat for 12 hours at a time 4 days a week and she says the cat will be fine if I just go for an hour a day. I don't think I want to leave her that long.

On the Saturday and Sunday DH will be off work so I can be with the cat for most of the day to keep her company.

So does my plan sound okay, as I said I have never had a cat so I am a little worried about it.

[AnnoyingOrange]

Seriously, I would just call in for 10 minutes

[teenagetantrums]

I have indoor cats when we go away a friend just pops in to feed them once a day for me, they seem happy enough alone, but I do have two. You cant really arrange to play with a cat like that mine will play for a short while then go off and sleep or do their own thing no point in sitting there for three hours watching a cat sleep. I think if you go in twice a day for a short time the cat will be fine.

[Bigmrsdragon]

Will she be okay though? I know I am overthinking it but I don't know how much attention to give a cat. She does like a fuss and cuddle when we are there.

[cozietoesie]

How old is the cat?

Sounds like you're planning to spend far more time with her than she'll need. (And that's if you find her - if she's an indoor cat she might go under a bed unless she's very sociable or knows you well.) I know that if I'd tried to spend 7 hours playing with mine they would think I was demented: they'd much prefer to have a good snooze.

On the other hand, it might be enjoyable for you to take the excuse to spend some private time across there eg watching a good movie or three or reading some books. If (and that's a big 'if') she was to be lonely, she would likely enjoy just having someone there being calm and restful - and you'd get some Me time.

[pookamoo]

What orange said.

Seriously. Cats don't need that much attention. or want it

[Bigmrsdragon]

She likes to play and cuddle which is why I have written in time for that. When my friend is there the cat is glued to her and she sleeps with her so I don't want her to be lonely.

[Bigmrsdragon]

Right okay. (I still may go there on Saturday for a nap by myself)
So I may cut down morning time to half an hour and an hour at night unless she seems like she wants more.

[cozietoesie]

An afternoon nap by yourself - well with a cat snoozing cuddled up to you? Wonderful. I'd pencil that one in and aim to do less extended visits the rest of the time.

[hedgehogy]

I'd say half hour maximum is enough.

[Bigmrsdragon]

cozietoesie that's the plan

I will go for half an hour and an hour, most of that time will be spent opening and closing curtains, getting in post, cleaning litter tray, Hoovering and watching tv on her cinema screen so I think I shall go for that instead.

[Jenda]

Well you are a lovely friend and I would feel very happy to know you were looking after my cat! As your friend's cat stays indoors it would be nice to play for a bit but it probably sleeps most of the day anyway. If ever I go away, my friend pops in to feed him and have a quick cuddle. Sometimes she sits with him and watches TV but I know that is really to make the most of the peace and quiet! He prefers to eat when someone is there so she will stay long enough for that. He is always fine, so fine that he forgets to even sulk when we get home!

[Hoppinggreen]

The cat might not be too keen on you and the children to be honest.
Some cats don't like strangers, mine aren't too keen.
I think that 20 minutes or so twice a day would be fine