Can I ask my new neighbours to feed my cat?

[Roxietrees]

Just wondering if I’m being a bit cheeky with this one or if it’s a reasonable request so opinions appreciated! I’ve lived in my new house for a couple months now and have lovely new next door neighbour's- a retired couple who have been super helpful with telling me about bin days, what’s going on in the area etc etc. we have each others’ numbers and they recently looked after my keys for me when I had to unexpectedly go away for work for 3 weeks and gave them to my mum who was looking after my daughter on and off at the house (I’m a single parent, shared custody). I got them some chocolates to say thanks. Anyway to get to the point - I’m planning on going away for 4 days and now that I live in a rural area can’t find any cat sitters on the apps I used to use at my old place. Is it reasonable to ask them to come in once a day and feed my cat for me? I’d be happy to pay them but that seems an awkward thing to suggest. Am I being a bit cheeky asking or is it a reasonable request? Unfortunately they don’t have any pets I can repay the favour with

I would maybe ask them if they know of any local cat sitters in the area and if they want to do it they may offer. I wouldn’t like to be asked to go in someone’s house and feed their cats because I wouldn’t feel comfortable in someone’s home that I barely know, I can’t stand the smell of pet food and I’m not a cat fan. Do they like cats?

Of course you can ask. Helping each other out is a great way to get to know your neighbours. I have difficulty asking for help too, but I remind myself that if someone asks me a favor, I really am happy to help if I can. And of course, your neighbours are perfectly entitled to say no if it doesn't suit them.

I wouldn’t ask unless I knew them better and I’m quite upfront as a person. I’m retired but I have something on every day in the week. The point of being retired is you can please yourself. I was more tied to the house when the kids were little. Cat sitting is about £10 min per day where I live.

If it's only feeding and not a litter tray, where I live it would definitely be completely fine to ask neighbours if you generally get on well with each other and as long as it's asked with no pressure. And as long as you are generally willing to help out in return (eg put their bins out, water plants, not walk their five boisterous Rottweilers three times a day... it doesn't mean you have to agree to anything they ask forever.). I think the suggestion of asking if they know of any cat sitters is a good idea too though as this takes the pressure off further and they can volunteer if they want to. If they do agree make sure you give them the details of which vet your cat is registered at, especially if you are going overseas or likely to be uncontactable.

To be completely honest, I wouldn't ask them unless I'd exhausted every other option. They've been generous up to now and If I were them, I'd think you were starting to take advantage of my kindness.

My God, people! She wants them to feed her cat, not watch it all day. Why is everyone so keen to isolate themselves these days? Neighbours used to watch each others’ kids back in the day, now you can’t even look at each other for fear of interaction.

This! That was they’re not pressured to do it but have the opportunity to volunteer if they are actually willing to help.

I'd do it if a neighbour asked so I say go for it 😁

As long as you make it absolutely clear from the start of the conversation that they are very welcome to say 'no', then there is no problem asking at all.

I dont isolate myself but that doesnt mean I want to feed a neighbours cat while they're away. I'm happy to interact with neighbours and do regularly but it would be a firm no if asked to watch their cats

Why are you so keen to pretend that not wanting to feed someone's cat is the same as isolating yourself?

Weird.

Pet sitter here!

I would definitely ask them , provided you stress they should say ‘no’ if they’re not comfortable.

Will the cats be 100% indoors whilst you’re away? If not then this could cause your neighbours to worry if they don’t see the cats every day.

Alternatively, search ‘pet sitter near me’ on Google maps - if you have location turned on then you should hopefully get some results. Just make sure the pet sitter is experienced and has basic animal first aid training (as a minimum) along with business insurance.

Good luck!

Yes of course. I feed various neighbours’ cats, they feed mine. It’s lovely to have a supportive feline loving community

She isn’t asking them to watch the cat. She’s asking them to pop in and put some food in a bowl and maybe change the water. Takes all of 5 minutes.

Because it says a lot about how anti-social people are these days. If you won’t even throw some food in a bowl so your neighbour’s pet doesn’t starve, you’re a pretty shite neighbour. It takes barely any effort and it’s a nice thing to do.

Looking after a cat properly involves a lot more than "throwing some food in a bowl".

It's not anti-social or being a shit neighbour to not want to feed someone's animal, pick up it's shit, clear up it's vomit and generally take responsibility for it. I say that as a cat owner and pet-sitter.

I think it’s fine to ask - I would do it for someone, but as a cat owner I’d feel sorry for my cat leaving it for 4 days with someone only popping in briefly to feed it once a day (my cat gets fed twice a day for a start but I guess they’re all different)! I’d rather find a proper cat sitter to come in more frequently or use a well recommended cattery.

I definitely wouldn’t leave a cat alone with someone throwing food in a bowl and not giving it any interaction. I’d say that was cruel. Most cats need feeding twice a day anyway.

Exactly. I feed cats as part of my business - their dishes need washing, they need fresh water, their litter trays need cleaning - some of them need a brush, some like a cuddle or a play.

"Throwing food in a bowl and leaving" is fine for ferals or barn cats, but not a domestic, indoor pet.

Id recently moved in to a rural cottage with an adjoining neighbour to find she had 4 cats. I had 3 terriers! I'm really, really not keen on cats whatsoever but (sort of) happily agreed to feed her cats for a weekend when she was away. It's just the neighbourly thing to do and I didn't think it at all unreasonable for her to ask. I think she brought back a bottle of wine or something similar as a Thankyou. Must say though that the cat food, dead mouse and litter tray made me gag a bit

Poor cat. They like a bit of company and it's not just throwing food in a bowl. It's litter, it's puking, it's illness or accidents. Just shutting them up and buggering off for days isn't on. It's the expectation that they'll do it every time.

Sorry, it would be a hell no from me.

Bins? Yes. Parcels? Of course. Sharing my drive? No problem.

Animals? No way.

Thanks for all the responses, she’s an outdoor cat and pretty independent and she’d only need feeding once a day (in a timer dish to put in 2 feeds for the day) and maybe a cuddle if the neighbour likes cats but I am aware that they’ve recently done me a favour so I don’t want them to think I’m taking the piss and want to have a good relationship with them. I just wish I could do something for them but they’ve never asked for anything! I think the idea of asking if they know any cat sitters, then it’s down to them if they want to offer is a great one so thanks for that idea, will probably go with that :)

I guess it depends on the couple. I have a retired couple next door to me, they only moved there about a year ago. They don't really go out much at all, and never go away despite being in good health. We say hello if we see each other, will take parcels in but that doesn't happen often.

I would never ask them to pop in to feed my cat. I get a cat sitter who pops in every day. Much better (and cheaper) than a cattery and my cats are much happier too!

I’d jump at the chance! But I’m a total cat whore and would feed Satan’s cat if he asked me 🤣