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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Who looks after your cats when you go away, and do they stay in?

17 replies

PetiteRaleuse · 21/04/2013 17:07

Up until last year my cats were indoor cats and a neighbour came in to feed them when we went away.

Last year we moved, and the cats now come and go as they please but we don't have a cat flap. They eat indoors but rarely use the litter tray, unless they happen to be in and need it overnight.

I need to ask someone to look after them when we go away soon (not sure who yet). Is it better to have them stay outside and for the person to feed them etc outside? Or should they stay indoors for the whole time?

One is semi wild with strangers and I don't want to put them in a cattery.

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issey6cats · 21/04/2013 17:11

when i go away one of my grown up children come in to feed them, what my kids do is come first thing in the morning let them out for about half an hour then get them in for breakfast as this is what they are used to, then when they come up in the afternoon for pm feed they put a litter tray down and dont let them out, this way the cats have had thier bit of fresh air and stalk round thier territory in the morning but no one gets locked out all night, leaving them outside for a week or whatever length of time you are going away for is not good, roaming dogs, cars or foxes could get them

cozietoesie · 21/04/2013 17:20

PetiteRaleuse

You can get cat sitting services if you can't identify someone to help out. just google 'pet sitting' or similar and your area.

HarrietSchulenberg · 21/04/2013 17:24

My lovely neighbour looks after them if I"m away for a night or two but he goes ti cattery if away for longer. When he's at home neighbour has no problem getting him in and out but he does get very clingy when we're not around. I did used to leave him here for longer stays but after his runny "dirty protest" behind the TV (that required new cables for TV, video, DVD, Playstation etc.) I decided not to risk it again.

cozietoesie · 21/04/2013 17:27

My old boy couldn't cope with new surroundings if I had to go away so a cattery isn't really an option for me, I'm afraid.

PetiteRaleuse · 21/04/2013 17:29

Thing is it has to be all or nothing as one of them won't go near strangers. The neighbour would look after them for two weeks and not see him at all. The other one is more friendly but voms everywhere so not a nice task.

Yes it would probably be a pet sitting service, I was more wondering about the always in or out thing.

Thanks for your answers

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aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 21/04/2013 17:32

Next door neighbour comes over and feeds them.

We've been feeding his cats for the past few days while he was away and one has been AWOL for 48 hours.
DH spent ages searching the outbuildings and fields this afternoon to no avail.
I popped over to see how he was doing, called her name once and she appeared

cozietoesie · 21/04/2013 17:44

Are you in a position to put in a cat flap ? Sounds to me as if it would be a good idea anyway.

bigbadbarry · 21/04/2013 17:47

My cats are similar to yours. They go to a cattery if we are away for long, now I have found a nice one- prior to this I used a cat-sitter and she changed the litter. I do keep them shut in when we are away. if it is just a couple of days (ie long enough the litter can be left), a neighbour comes in and feeds them.

SoupDragon · 21/04/2013 17:57

I'd get a cat flap put in.

When I go away for a weekend (4 days max) I use automatic pet feeders. When we go away on holiday, I put them in a cattery.

SoupDragon · 21/04/2013 17:58

Mine have free access to the outside via a cat flap sized hole in the door

fussychica · 21/04/2013 18:37

Cattery for more than an overnighter.

PetiteRaleuse · 21/04/2013 18:53

Afraid I can't put in a cat flap (we rent) and the local catteries do not have a good reputation (we're in France)

I will use a pet sitter and keep them in and hope one of them doesn't run out the minute she walks in the door

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superbagpuss · 21/04/2013 19:00

ours have a cat flap
in laws feed them twice a day if they are around. otherwise the next door neighbours pop over in twice a day, and we have done there's for them as well

cozietoesie · 21/04/2013 19:04

It might be worth, nonetheless, checking with the landlord if you're going to be renting there for a while. Many landlords will allow it if you promise to make good on leaving.

marzipanned · 21/04/2013 20:51

We use a cat sitter. She comes for half an hour every day so the cats get that as outside time (well, only one goes outside, but there is the option if the other wants it!) Most cat sitters stay for a while to give the cats some strokes and fusses - I'd just make sure that you find one who's happy to let them in and out.

deliasmithy · 23/04/2013 19:10

Cattery.
One of my cats is clingy and anxious and only likes me.
I tried having a friend visit her at home. She shredded two towels, a mat and dirtied the carpet.
Weirdly she gets on fine at cattery.
I suspect she's territorial and therefore doesnt like strangers in her house but is fine out of her home.

If we go away for one night we shut the catflap to their outdoor run and keep them inside.

PetiteRaleuse · 23/04/2013 20:05

Would love to put them in the cattery so they can go in and outside but that is not an option. Our local ones are awful.

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