Family not doing small favours

[dietcoke2020]

I honestly don't know if I am being unreasonable or not! We are going on holiday for a week in the summer and have asked our neighbour if they would feed our cat and change the litter tray which I know isn't a very nice job. To take the pressure off we have asked a family member who lives around the cornee to also do a couple of days but they have refused as they "can't deal with the shit!" I think this is very mean spirited and it would really help us and our neighbour out. What do you think?

I think it’s a bit cheeky - that isn’t a small favour, it’s a big one. I would get in a pet sitter.

ReaganSomerset - I put mine in a cattery if we go away, so I can be sure he's been looked after properly.

If the neighbour doesn't have a litter tray that means they trained the cat to go outside which tells you they don't like dealing with litter trays.

Not necessarily. I have a cat. For years I had a litter tray but she has free access to the outside and chose not to use it. Ever. There was literally a layer of dust on the litter when I got rid of it!

Also, let’s be honest, no one likes dealing with litter trays, it’s a necessary evil.

To the person who asked if the litter tray could be left a eeek without emptying - no, if it smells the cat will just find somewhere else to go. Likely the carpet.

I do think expecting someone to deal with cat litter is different to just popping in to feed though. I always pay a lady, but then I don’t have family close. If I did, I guess I’d ask but completely understand if they said no.

We never ask family or neighbors to scoop litter. Food and water is a small favor. Litter is for paid sitters. If we are out of town long enough that simply leaving an extra litter tray won’t suffice, then we hire a pet sitter.

I’d do it. And I’d be a bit miffed in your shoes, given you have helped them out in the past.

In my family we help each other out even if we don’t really feel like it. What goes around comes around!

My cat doesn't have a litter tray (her choice) and I hate dealing with cat shite, however, if someone asked as a favour especially family then of course I would. It's a horrible job but it's over in about a minute.

OP please think about a cat sitter if you can afford it to help the neighbour out and NEVER EVER EVER look after your family member's cat again.

I think your family are being unkind too. Some people are blowing the difficulty of scooping a litter tray out of proportion.

I think I would pay for a cat sitter or cattery in your shoes. Which is what we used to do before we lived locally to family.

I don't have any pets but I look after my neighbours cats when she does away a couple of times a year. And if I ever got a cat I'm sure it would be reciprocated.

I wouldn't do that. Dislike cats, can't see why I should have to deal with litter trays. Pay for someone to do it properly.

I always thought litter trays are for kittens until they learn to go outside. I wouldn't want to do it.

Blimey- I do this for my neighbour, cat shit scooped & all! I don't have cats myself but I can cope with someone else's for a week, as a favour. They keep an eye on our house/garden when we go away so it works both ways. YANBU, it is not an onerous task.

YANBU if they have cats and you help them they should return the favour. CFs. Scooping out the poop will take seconds. Hold your breathe and count to ten and it's done.
I'm upset at the poster who fed the neighbours dog while they went away for a few days. You can't leave a dog that long in the house on its own

I always put my cats in a Cattery. It cuts out having to ask for favours and I also have peace of mind that my cats are being looked after.