To ask this of my neighbours?

[Donaldduck22]

I am on the autistic spectrum so sometimes I find it hard to know whether certain social things are okay. I'm going away for a week and need someone to come in daily to feed my cat and sort his litter tray would it be okay to ask my neighbour? I would pay her and tell her there was no obligation. I'm just a bit worried about having a stranger come in the house in case they Rob me. I suppose I could put my cat in a cattery but I know he would really hate it. I don't know my neighbour super well, on a chatty level we say hello and have a chat occasionally.

I think you can absolutely ask, I think offering to pay is also a good idea. But do not take it personally if they say they are not willing to do this as not everyone would have the time and some may just not like cats or the responsibility.

There’s no harm in asking. Let them know the pay upfront.
they can always say no.

I think that is a lot to ask of someone. I would hate to empty a litter tray! You could ask her if she knows someone who would do that kind of thing if you paid them. See if she knows someone she trusts. If she is happy to do it then she will offer but I wouldn't ask.

I'd ask your neighbour if she knows anyone in the area who can do house visits to feed cats when owners are on holiday. If she is in a position to offer she will take the cue and offer, otherwise maybe she will know of a teenager looking for some work etc.

She might not be able to do it herself, for example she could be allergic to cats, going away herself, or just not want to be tied down to being there twice a day in case she is going out / very busy.

It’s quite a big ask of someone you aren’t pretty friendly with. I mean, I love cats, but I wouldn’t fancy emptying the litter tray for someone I say the occasional ‘hello’ to. That might just be me though!
my cat wouldn’t be okay with someone just popping in to feed her though, she would be pretty distraught without a fair bit of company. Do you have anyone who could house sit? A friend or relative?

You can ask but I wouldn't clean out cat shit for anyone. Does she have a cat?

This…. I’ve popped into feeds someone’s cat before but it let itself out to shit.
Id happily feed someone’s animal but not clean up its poo

My neighbours feed my cat when I go away and there is no-one else (family) around to do it but I only ask them to come in once a day (usually she is fed twice) and leave a bowl of wet food, water and a big bowl of dry so that she has enough. I also leave plenty of clean bowls and washing up stuff (depending on how long I'm away). I have a utility room from the back door which I can shut off from the rest of the house and there is a sink in there so my neighbour has no need to go into any other room.

The litter tray is another thing though. My cat doesn't have one so that's not something I ask and I can understand that being an issue for some people more than plonking some food down once a day.

I'm just a bit worried about having a stranger come in the house in case they Rob me

Then do not ask your neighbour if you don’t fully trust them.

I would go with the cattery option. Even if your cat hates it. Many cats and dogs hate going into catterys and kennels but it’s a better option of leaving a neighbour/stranger with that responsibility.

You can definitely ask. I would leave more than you would normally in terms of food and also leave disposable gloves, etc.
Also you could pop a note through the door with your mobile phone number rather than knocking to ask. That way you aren’t putting them on the spot and gives them an easy way to say no via text message.

An alternative is looking for local cat sitters/feeding service. Try the local vet for recommendations.

If your cat would hate to be away from home it may be best to check for local pet sitters if your neighbour cannot look after them or if you don't trust them 100%.

Cleaning a litter tray is too much to ask of a neighbour and I’m saying that as an owner of an indoor cat. Get an insured and well reviewed cat sitter. The vets is probably a good place to start- our sitter is one of the vet nurses.

Yes, but she's said she'd rather not have strangers in the house, hence asking the neighbour she knows.

@Donaldduck22 I'd have no problem looking after your cat. Sorting out a litter tray really is no big deal, just tell her how you usually dispose of it.

She didn't say she didn't trust the neighbour! She said she didn't want strangers in the house (advertised cat sitters)

Yes, this. We use a specialist cat-sitting service as we have quite a lot of cats (one who needs medication daily) and I wouldn't ask neighbours to do this.

Our 'regular' sitter is actually a veterinary nurse and she also changes litter trays, gives the plants the odd water and has been known to run the hoover round (although this is very much a bonus and not expected!). She is fully DBS-checked and insured.

While it's not exactly cheap, it's a great service - the cats are happy and it's cheaper than a boarding cattery.

I think it's ok to ask if you do it in such a way that they feel able to say no, and if you are confident that you can read it if they are saying "yes" when their body language is screaming "no". It's a bit awkward, a week is a lot to ask as a first request. Think about what you will say if they refuse to take the money.

Personally I would go with the cattery. They aren't all basic pens. A small one run by a keen cat-loving person can give loads of care. We have ex-rescues who are very pushy for food, and they came back enormous from such a place once. I think they had the time of their lives eating the cattery people out of house and home!

I feed my neighbour's cat as a favour but I wouldn't touch the litter tray if there were one. Happy to do it. She waters my plants etc. And is someone I trust. If you're not sure, just use the cattery. Sure, cat won't like it initially but pick a good one with good reviews and your cat will be fine.

No harm in asking at all.

I've done this for a neighbour before but she knew I had cats and was very happy to look after her cat (and water her garden too, it was during the summer).

I would always prefer to get a professional cat sitter though after hearing too many stories of neighbours/friends/family members who forgot to do it or otherwise didn't do it to an expected standard. Best to get someone who actually does it for a job as they will also have the proper insurance in place and be used to dealing with any unexpected situations (for example if your cat got ill).

I would only ask the neighbour if they've also got a cat so you might be able to help them out in return.

I would use a proper cat sitter or someone who advertises coming on a daily basis to feed pets. Then as long as they have availability you know it's ok. They won't just be some random person you're worried will rob you and there won't be the awkwardness if they don't want to but feel obliged...

Personally I'd hate to be cleaning up someone's cat's shit for a week. And it's not like you're particularly friendly with the neighbour.

You can ask, no harm in that. Have a back up plan incase the answer is no.

fwiw. Whenever I have asked someone do this, it is always, without fail, the time a cat decides to a) bugger off for a week b) become ill and require an expensive vet trip.
So I find it far better that the cats go to cattery (they are spoilt by going to the absolute best I can find and are safe, fed, clean, warm and have their bits and bobs and fuss) or come with me on holiday or I don’t go away.

I trust my neighbour, I wouldn't trust a randomer.

So what’s your back up plan if they say no?
(they could be allergic, on holiday, otherwise occupied, not want the responsibility etc etc).