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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to mention neighbours' cat waking us early while they're away?

77 replies

SMLSML · Yesterday 07:32

Would you say something to your neighbour?

We're in a semi detached with the doors right next to each other when they go away on holiday they leave their cat at home and have someone come morning and evening to feed it. The issue is they let it out at night and it comes home early in the morning around 5:30am and meows to be let in, it's so loud and with the window open it's waking us up. Would you text the neighbours or let it drop as it's only whist they're on holiday? The person doesn't normally come to let them in until 9am.

OP posts:
TwinklyRoseTurtle · Yesterday 07:34

I would as they might not know cat is being left out all night

BlueMum16 · Yesterday 07:38

I'd throw a cup of water out the window. It will soon stop.

Original poster
SMLSML · Yesterday 07:40

BlueMum16 · Yesterday 07:38

I'd throw a cup of water out the window. It will soon stop.

I've seen this advised but would feel too bad, plus they've got a ring doorbell 😅 it's more the being woken so early, especially as I think they're away for 2 weeks

OP posts:
Pleasedontdoitagain · Yesterday 07:48

Personally I'd just put up with it, even if it is for 2 weeks. I feel sorry for the poor cat whose normal routine is being disrupted by it's people being away.

rookiemere · Yesterday 07:48

Yes I would message them, why should their choice of pet care arrangements result in your broken sleep.

MidnightPatrol · Yesterday 07:50

I’d let it in :)

ToKittyornottoKitty · Yesterday 07:54

It’s only for a few days so there’s no need to
moan about this. Crap of them to allow the cat to be locked out all night when they aren’t even there though.

MagneticFrog · Yesterday 07:57

BlueMum16 · Yesterday 07:38

I'd throw a cup of water out the window. It will soon stop.

Cretinous behaviour. Poor creature probably wants fed and watered and to get out of the cold or the heat.

pouletvous · Yesterday 07:58

hi neighbours, please ask your cat not to meow whilst you’re away

perhaps mention it face to face and suggest a cat flap would prevent this in future?

Bitzee · Yesterday 08:07

I might mention it to them in case they don’t know the cat is being locked out all night by the sitter; it doesn’t seem very fair on the cat and if it’s meowing for hours it obviously isn’t happy about it. Just frame it as I’m worried about the cat not please stop it meowing from 1000s of miles away.

Mumofoneandone · Yesterday 08:08

If we don't have someone staying in the house whilst we're away, the cats are locked in the house for the whole time. Yes, they love being outside but they have their home comforts and more space than they would at a cattery. They get plenty of fuss from friends that come in and look after them.

TheRealMagic · Yesterday 08:09

Can you have a quick word with the person who is feeding them? It might be easier for them to discuss whether there's anything that can be done (e.g. clearly there's no cat flap - is there a window that wouldn't be able to be used for a person to get in but that could be left open for the cat?) with the neighbour than you contacting the neighbour who then has to contact that person.

Leeds157 · Yesterday 08:09

BlueMum16 · Yesterday 07:38

I'd throw a cup of water out the window. It will soon stop.

Well that’s cruel, the cat is a living sentient being who doesn’t have the mental capacity to compute being told the explanation of ‘your owners have gone on holiday, and have arranged for someone to feed you, so just wait’

SusanJJ · Yesterday 08:11

pouletvous · Yesterday 07:58

hi neighbours, please ask your cat not to meow whilst you’re away

perhaps mention it face to face and suggest a cat flap would prevent this in future?

Yes a cat flap is needed. Poor cat.

SpottyPyjama · Yesterday 08:16

Yes I’d tell them, partly because their cat is distressed for too much time every day and partly because it’s inconsiderate and rude of them to allow their pet to disturb other people and they need to make arrangements to avoid that happening.

There would be nothing wrong with chucking water at the cat. It’s only water, it won’t hurt it.

Edenmum2 · Yesterday 08:26

Close the window

Tel12 · Yesterday 08:29

Yes, I'd definitely tell them. I do think it's neglectful to leave a pet for 2 weeks. They should really employ a sitter.

Meadowfinch · Yesterday 08:34

I’m struggling to believe anyone would complain about a cat !!

We have deer barking, owls hooting, foxes screaming, cats too. To say nothing of the early shift driving by at 5.30.

If I were your neighbour, I’d think you’d had too much sun.

LakieLady · Yesterday 08:40

Get some earplugs and use them.

I sleep with earplugs in every night, so that I'm not woken at 4.30 every morning by the incredibly noisy milkman's van that delivers to someone in my road.

DeftGoldHedgehog · Yesterday 08:42

Why don't they have a cat flap?

DeftGoldHedgehog · Yesterday 08:44

Tel12 · Yesterday 08:29

Yes, I'd definitely tell them. I do think it's neglectful to leave a pet for 2 weeks. They should really employ a sitter.

It's not neglectful to have someone coming in to feed your cat while you are away. It is to leave them outside for hours on end and not get a cat flap though.

BeachHairForLife · Yesterday 08:50

I'm guessing this doesn't happen normally when they are home? Cats are emotionally fragile creatures about their routines (especially if they are older). It's probably quite distressed that it can't get into it's own house. I have a lovely couple that look after my cat by popping in three times a day but are adamant they won't let him out (no matter how furious he gets) in case he gets hurt or lost on their watch. I'd send over a quick friendly text to say you hope they are having a great time and are a bit worried about him as he sounds upset he can't get in and just wanted to check with them about it.

BlueMum16 · Yesterday 16:32

Leeds157 · Yesterday 08:09

Well that’s cruel, the cat is a living sentient being who doesn’t have the mental capacity to compute being told the explanation of ‘your owners have gone on holiday, and have arranged for someone to feed you, so just wait’

Show quote history

Don't be daft.

Two days of water out the window and the cat will learn not to meow.

I'm a cat lover, I have cats, they learn quickly

There's not much the neighbour can do will they are away. Cats are often left out at night because it's safer with less traffic

Kimmers4334 · Yesterday 16:47

If they don’t normally let it all night then yes but I think it’s tricky because the person feeding the cat probably can’t wait for hours until the cat comes back in. Perhaps next holiday they will have to get a litter tray. For now I would close the window and use a fan

Sahara123 · Yesterday 16:51

DeftGoldHedgehog · Yesterday 08:42

Why don't they have a cat flap?

I know, this !! My cats would destroy my house if I shut them in while I was away. They would get so distressed. Someone comes in to feed them, they can go out any time as usual- cat flap !!

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