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Original poster

Leaving cats alone for 36 hours?

141 replies

grannysmiff · 25/10/2017 19:52

Would you feel comfortable leaving cats alone in the house with lots of food and water around, leaving at say 10am one day and returning at tea time the next?

OP posts:
Hammy12345 · 25/10/2017 19:53

I have done before, but with a timer that releases food at set times. Was worried the whole time though!

HoneyIshrunkthebiscuit · 25/10/2017 19:53

Yes, i've done it before. I wouldn't leave her for more than one night but 36 hours seemed fine to me.

Whatsername17 · 25/10/2017 19:53

Yeah. I did this a couple of weekends ago. They have a cat flap so come and go as they please. They didn't get through half of the dried food I'd left for them and seemed completely unscathed.

TroysMammy · 25/10/2017 19:54

No. There'll be poo everywhere and your house could get trashed. They could spill the water within 5 minutes of you leaving them and eat all the food.

RedHelenB · 25/10/2017 19:54

Have done when we camped and they had run of kitchen and conservatory and could get outside. Two of them together so they hadceach others company!

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 25/10/2017 19:54

Yes, done it for up to 2 nights with my indoor cat. She's fine, but I do try to get someone to pop in to top up the wet food and give her a cuddle / company she's a tart for cuddles.

strawberrypenguin · 25/10/2017 19:55

Should be fine. I wouldn’t do it any longer than that though

MistressPage · 25/10/2017 19:56

Course, they'll be fine! I've left mine for 2 nights before. Cats are quite happy as long as they have food, water, somewhere warm to sleep and a cat flap.

titchy · 25/10/2017 19:56

Yes of course! (Why would there be poo everywhere and why would water suddenly get spilled?) Confused

Leave loo seats up if you're worried about lack of water. And prepare to be ignored on your return Grin

Penfold007 · 25/10/2017 19:57

I had to do it a few weeks ago due to my DF being rushed into hospital. DCat uses a litter tray so I put two out along with a big casserole dish of water and a big bowl of cat biscuits. DCat was fine and there was no mess.

Cleanermaidcook · 25/10/2017 19:58

I've done it, wouldn't for more than 1 night, what you say seems fine.
Have never come home to poo and wee everywhere (catflap) and she could knock stuff over when I'm at work or out shopping (but she never has)

Original poster
grannysmiff · 25/10/2017 19:58

@titchy god no cuz then I'd worry one of them falls head in gets stuck and drowns!!!!

OP posts:
wifeyhun · 25/10/2017 19:58

Yes I can leave mine for two nights. We have an automatic cat feeder machine thingybob and we leave lots of water and biscuits about.

I think he quite enjoys the peace and quiet.

Wolfiefan · 25/10/2017 19:59

My old cats? Yes!
The two tortie terrors? Fuck no!
We would come home to a smoking pile of rubble! Grin

orangeowls · 25/10/2017 19:59

I leave mine for a maximum of two nights. They have an automatic feeder (and a big bowl of biscuits they don’t really like so only eat if really hungry) and a couple of water bowls left out. I put out extra litter trays (they are mostly indoor cats) and I can control the heating from my phone to make sure they aren’t too cold ha ha.

I know they prefer this to going into a cattery. If it is longer than that then they go to a friends, but they hate it.

HeebieJeebies456 · 25/10/2017 20:00

There'll be poo everywhere and your house could get trashed. They could spill the water within 5 minutes of you leaving them and eat all the food
i doubt it Hmm

I've left my two alone all weekend (fri evening to monday afternoon) without any problems.
Just make sure you leave more than enough dry food and water out for them and a clean litter tray or two.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 25/10/2017 20:00

I have done it before with a food timer bowl. Cleo wasn't impressed though as 10 minutes after we got home she took a giant crap on our bed.

MrsJayy · 25/10/2017 20:01

Yes i used to for the weekend she came and went as she wanted and i had food down for her she was fine.

BowieAndMercury · 25/10/2017 20:02

Yes, we have done, not when they were little kittens but now that they're fairly independent adults. We have friends who live nearby with keys in case of an emergency, and a camera that connects to our phones so we don't worry about them. I'm sure they miss us but one of them is very timid with strangers so alone with plenty of food is generally the better option for them if just for one night.

Ericaequites · 25/10/2017 20:02

Put out two extra water bowls in different rooms. I've done this for years, and the cats have been fine physically. Yes, they hide and sulk to punish me for a few hours, but they are cats.

ineedwine99 · 25/10/2017 20:02

Yep done it plenty of times, always been fine, no mess on return. Water dispenser is a good idea to keep it from getting fluff in it

HamptonWick1974 · 25/10/2017 20:03

Depends on the cat(s). We have left (only once) our cat for 24 hours. We left at lunchtime (so gave her an early tea) and got back just after lunch the next day (so she got a very late breakfast). Big bowl of biscuits and water also available. It was fine. However all sorts of nightmares went through my head... cat flap breaking, cat getting stuck in cat flap, cat getting stuck outside. We usually use a cat sitter or neighbours, but none were available in this instance. Personally I prefer catteries, not the nicest place for a cat as they prefer home, but you do know they are safe (albeit miserable).

Original poster
grannysmiff · 25/10/2017 20:03

I have one who is a gentle spirit child and one who is a fucking nightmare hell demon who tries to destroy everything i ever do - im worried the last one will manage to somehow hang himself with the shower curtain or try and gnaw a chunk out of the sofa and choke on it or some other melodramatic act

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 25/10/2017 20:03

Mine started bothering the neighbours if it was a long weekend so we had to warn them we were away

WoooooOfOnesGroan · 25/10/2017 20:04

I have a robotic litter box and automatic feeder and waterer, and have left cats successfully on their own for 4-5 days without a catsitter. They're none the worse for wear, and wonderfully behaved, social creatures with a strong bond to every member of our family.