Will She Be OK? (Leaving pfc overnight)

[Butterflywings168]

I have to travel for work and unless I want to get up at 4am which I don't am staying away from home overnight tomorrow night. It will just be for one night, I would be away from usual time in the morning, overnight and return late evening ish (depending on how early I can get away) Friday.
I thought pfc Madame ButterflyCat would be OK but I am panicking now. And stupidly have left it too late to get a cat-sitter. I thought a friend would be able to pop in even just for a few minutes a couple of times, to give wet food, clean water, let her out if she wants and of course cuddle her, which she said she would, but she is now ill.
She uses a litter tray, which I will clean in the morning but will stink when I get back.
I can obviously leave enough dry food, just worried about her not having wet food and fresh water.
My main concern though is that she won't be able to go out, I don't have a catflap so let her in and out.
She is a rescue cat and I've only had her a few weeks, she is going to think she's been abandoned again.

[Wolfiefan]

Get a couple more litter trays or you may find messy carpets when you return.
Try a clockwork feeder?
Ask a neighbour?

[gamerchick]

Well going on my own cat who was abandoned locked in a house all week before I got to her I would go for getting up at 4am. Mine had this terrible separation anxiety for months after she came here and I know she wouldn't have been happy.

[NameChange30]

gamerchick a night away is very different from a week away

OP see if you can find a professional pet sitter. Our local (very good) pet shop has a pet sitting service, they will pop in to feed the cat, empty litter tray etc for £10 I think it is. If you have a local pet shop they might do the same or maybe they could recommend someone.

[gamerchick]

Yes I know that but do rescue cats come with a history?

[NameChange30]

Sorry gamerchick didn't read your post properly first time, I get it now!
I guess if something similar happened to OP's cat it wouldn't be appropriate to leave her too long - but presumably the rescue would have told her about something like that?
OP I hope you can arrange for someone to pop in but if not I would add an extra litter tray, leave plenty of water and dry food, and try not to worry.

[gamerchick]

I don't know I never intended on getting a cat, it was accidental.

If I had just passed her on then she wouldn't have coped with what was described in the OP after a few weeks, she took ages to settle properly.

Anyway I hope you find something you're happy with OP.

[Butterflywings168]

Thank you everyone.
As far as I know nothing traumatic like that happened to her, just that her previous owner's circumstances changed. If it had I wouldn't even consider this. I just feel that given I haven't had her that long she will get stressed and upset.
I have various health issues and struggle to sleep and to get up, getting up at 4am would hurt, I would just not go to bed rather than get 1-2 hours' or so sleep. Either way I would suffer.
I will try to find a cat sitter. Friend will pop in if she can, ie if she feels a bit better.
She has 2 litter trays, I would obviously leave sufficient food and water. I don't have auto feeder but Madame isn't greedy and self regulates with food well, have plenty of small dishes - dry food shouldn't spoil right?
Feeling slightly reassured, thanks.
Pfc is being cuddled lots tonight and had a bit of salmon earlier, spot the guilty cat mummy

[gamerchick]

Could you maybe leave the TV on or radio so there isn't total silence?

[julesldn]

Leaving dry food out will be fine, and I'm sure the cat will be too :) ask a neighbour or friend to pop in too if you can, they can open and close the curtains too. And order yourself the timer dishes for next time you're away too - very useful!

[sashh]

Cat will be fine.

For fresh water you could leave a tap dripping.

I agree with getting more litter trays though, some cats won't reuse a tray after pooing.

You could leave wet food wrapped in a parcel made of baking parchment so she has to work to get it, this will keep her busy (told of this on a cat course) but in this heat it might go off.

[Poledra]

She will be fine. She might, howver, give you the utter evils when you get home and punish you for leaving her. FluffyCat does this . Last time we left him overnight, he stalked outside when we got back home and didn't come back indoors when we were there for 3 days. Eventually, I had to go out and bring him inside and fuss him on the sofa before he condescended to forgive us

[Butterflywings168]

Thanks all.
I gave in and asked DM to pop in. She will criticise, and probably 'helpfully' tidy and nose around. I will have to bow in gratitude. But it will reassure me.

[Butterflywings168]

Thanks jules sure DM will do curtains, see above
She's good at self-regulating food, not the kind of greedy bugger cat that would scoff the lot before I was out of the door and wonder why none was left

[Butterflywings168]

Thanks sash
She usually poops once a day at night so should be ok can't believe I just discussed my cat's bowel habits
That is a good idea re wet food parcel, will try next time. Not that hot here

[Butterflywings168]

I know Poledra, fully expect the sulk when I return Pfc will get so much fuss.

[Butterflywings168]

Texting DM obsessively Pfc is fine apparently. DM popped in last night and just now. Let her out, fed, cuddled. Don't think pfc would've coped without bottle of wine for DM! And
Also for friend who is in hospital so is forgiven