Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Meant to be feeding next doors cat but I've been locked out!

197 replies

Imthekingsmummy · 04/06/2022 10:13

My Neighbour asked me to feed & water her cat whilst they are on holiday. I've been going in everyday to look after her but yesterday when I tried the door wouldn't open. There's a Yale lock and a normal lock and it turns out one of the in laws has been round to water the plants and locked the normal lock. I only have a Yale key.
I messaged yesterday and she said she would get the in law to come back and unlock the door. I've tried again today but it's still locked.
This means the cat hasn't been fed or watered for 2 days.
Neighbour doesn't get back until Monday.

I feel stupid keep going to check a neighbours door and not being able to get in but I'm really worried about the poor cat.

What would you do? I've messaged again but not had a reply yet.

OP posts:
MermaidEyes · 04/06/2022 11:36

You definitely need to phone, not message. I'd be getting angry that I'd been put in a stressful situation that could easily have been avoided. Honestly, if they ask you to feed it again I would say no and suggest they fork out for a cattery where they know it will be fed and watered.

WombatChocolate · 04/06/2022 11:36

To be honest, I think you’ve done what you can.

This is on the owner now. She is the one who needs to make bigger efforts to contact the person with the key. You can message to say you’re really worried about the lack of water etc, but ultimately it’s up to her to make contact.

I think the ice cube idea is a good one. Push three or 4 through door. If wooden floor, will make a small puddle. If carpet or mat will make it a bit soggy and a desperate cat would probably lick it.

As a future tip, when we feed cats, we always leave about 5 bowls of water and loads of dry food - far mire than they’d eat. Then, if something means someone can’t go for a couple of days, they are unlikely to have zero water or food….not ideal, but not disaster.

This isn’t your fault.

CapYourDoff · 04/06/2022 11:37

CapYourDoff · 04/06/2022 11:25

I'm baffled as to why the in laws weren't asked to feed cat along with watering the plants.

Can you explain?

Well I would be a bit puzzled as to why I was asked to feed cat, when in laws would be around anyway! Just seems to be a bit of doubling up, and I wondered why. And OP must be asking the same question surely.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats
Toddlerteaplease · 04/06/2022 11:38

You really need to chase the owner and ask for the in-laws phone number and arrange with them.

bellac11 · 04/06/2022 11:38

WombatChocolate · 04/06/2022 11:36

To be honest, I think you’ve done what you can.

This is on the owner now. She is the one who needs to make bigger efforts to contact the person with the key. You can message to say you’re really worried about the lack of water etc, but ultimately it’s up to her to make contact.

I think the ice cube idea is a good one. Push three or 4 through door. If wooden floor, will make a small puddle. If carpet or mat will make it a bit soggy and a desperate cat would probably lick it.

As a future tip, when we feed cats, we always leave about 5 bowls of water and loads of dry food - far mire than they’d eat. Then, if something means someone can’t go for a couple of days, they are unlikely to have zero water or food….not ideal, but not disaster.

This isn’t your fault.

Same here and I make sure the bowls are in corners in heavy glass bowls so they dont get knocked over.

bellac11 · 04/06/2022 11:40

CapYourDoff · 04/06/2022 11:37

Well I would be a bit puzzled as to why I was asked to feed cat, when in laws would be around anyway! Just seems to be a bit of doubling up, and I wondered why. And OP must be asking the same question surely.

Show quote history

I would imagine she is yes, but 'can you explain' rather puts the onus on OP to understand the workings of the cat owners mind and arrangements which at a time of stress (she is probably there now peering through the letter box) is a bit unhelpful and unnecessary

watcherintherye · 04/06/2022 11:40

bellac11 · 04/06/2022 11:32

How would the OP be able to explain this?

Show quote history

I would hazard a guess that the in-laws were happy to water the plants once or twice, but couldn’t commit to feeding the cat every day. Don’t know why the neighbours didn’t ask op to water the plants while she was in feeding the cat though?

Maytodecember · 04/06/2022 11:46

bellac11 · 04/06/2022 11:02

This is a worry, dont put dry food through for it to eat because that increases her need for water and dry food for elderly cats isnt great anyway

If the cat has access to outside she will find water and its been raining quite a lot recently (down south) so she should be ok

If it were my cat Id come home. We have cat cam and leave food and water around the house, we know what she eats and when and when she is in or out but if we didnt see her we would have to come home

This, if the cat is elderly and has emptied its bowl it may already have kidney disease ( common in elderly cats) Feeding dry food will increase the need for water.
if the cat can get outside via a cat flap try dropping a bowl or several plastic containers over a fence and pouring water into them. Or ice cubes.
Wet food is preferable to dry. Try some pouches, slit top to bottom on one side and drop over fence.
If they don’t respkbd by this afternoon I’d text saying you’ll have to call RSPCA to get entry. Plant watered can’t live that far away tho.

CapYourDoff · 04/06/2022 11:47

watcherintherye · 04/06/2022 11:40

I would hazard a guess that the in-laws were happy to water the plants once or twice, but couldn’t commit to feeding the cat every day. Don’t know why the neighbours didn’t ask op to water the plants while she was in feeding the cat though?

Show quote history

Yes, that would be a better question! Anyway I hope the little cat will be OK.

DinkyDaisy · 04/06/2022 11:53

I would be ringing neighbour constantly!
Poor cat!
Can you get over gate or get someone else to? Hope there is a catflap as more options to feed and water then.
However, I would be threatening to break in on my next message if they don't answer the phone...

Jaxhog · 04/06/2022 11:54

ChocolateHippo · 04/06/2022 10:52

Some sort of low container though the letter box and fill it with water using a water pistol? Would a round cake tin or tupperware container fit?

Brilliant idea! Plus wet cat food.

Stompythedinosaur · 04/06/2022 11:55

Horrible situation - hope the door is opened soon!

I would be chasing the neighbour and contacting the RSPCA if you can't get hold of them.

DinkyDaisy · 04/06/2022 11:56

I would tell them if no response you will have no option but to break in to feed cat.
If worried discuss with RSPCA?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 04/06/2022 11:57

MermaidEyes · 04/06/2022 10:27

This is the reason why my cats always go in a cattery. I don't think other people should have to be responsible for your pets. I hope you get in today.

No on has to be responsible but some people don't mind. I always use a cat sitter for my cat, I would never put him in a cattery as I know he'd hate it and he's better off at home.

If I was the OP's neighbour I wouldn't have a problem if she broke in, I'd be grateful!

Beachbreak2411 · 04/06/2022 12:00

The cat will be ok. Once when i was younger we went away for 4 days and my mums cat somehow ended up being closed in a bedroom with en-suite. .. my Nan came to feed her everyday but didn’t see her or look for her. We found her when we got home.. she was hungry but had drunk out the toilet presumably.

skybluee · 04/06/2022 12:03

If it's gone over 48h I'd smash the window if I couldn't do the bowl/water pistol trick. Or climb over into her garden if the cat can get outside (but if the cat can get outside how's it getting out and is there any way to get water in that way).

skybluee · 04/06/2022 12:04

An elderly cat may not be able to drink out of a toilet. And may have increased fluid needs too.

ElenaSt · 04/06/2022 12:07

Similar happened to me as I care for a lot of different neighbours pets when they are on holiday.

I squirted water through the letter box to make a large puddle on their tiled hallway. Obviously not going to work on carpet.

I the fed chicken breast through the letterbox for food.

TigerLilyTail · 04/06/2022 12:08

I agree with trying to climb over the back gate with a ladder. Poor cat! It will probably be ok though.

WombatChocolate · 04/06/2022 12:09

My cat was locked in someone’s garage once for 5 days. He had a classic car and the cat had done a couple of poos in the car.

Obviously was hungry, but next day, the daft thing was seen going in there again!

I know the worry is an elderly or sick cat, but for a normal healthy cat, they seem to be able to manage for several days, and cats frequently get themselves shut in places.

If there’s a cat flap I’d feel far less worried. Cats get out and drink from puddles or watering cans or anywhere. They can usually find some kind of food.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 04/06/2022 12:11

We had a vaguely similar situation a few years ago when MIL locked the spare keys in the house with the cat. Retrospectively there were lots of solutions (but we have a vestibule between the front door and hall so posting anything through the letterbox wouldn’t have worked) but we booked the red-eye the next morning. The cat had gone less than 24h without being waited on but was still pretty furious!

NamechangeFML · 04/06/2022 12:16

Soak some biscuits and put them through the letterbox

NamechangeFML · 04/06/2022 12:18
  • the wet biscuit will provide liquid theull be fine. not too much as they'll probably gobble up and puke it so just a little , then a little more
nearlyspringyay · 04/06/2022 12:20

This happened to a friend - letterbox for now

ilovesushi · 04/06/2022 12:24

Not read replies but you need to do something for the poor cat. I would be beside myself if I was the owner and you had left the cat without food and water. Knock on all the neighbours doors. Maybe she leaves a key with one of them for emergencies. Call all numbers you have for people who might have a spare key. Do not just leave the cat unfed and unwatered. What did she say about her holiday destination? Can you not call her hotel? Can you call local police non emergency number and explain situation? Maybe they can get you in. Please do something.

Swipe left for the next trending thread