To lie to avoid cat feeding

[Getmoveon14]

I have fed a friend's cat for 4 separate holidays this year. She has done one week for me. I have decided that I really don't want to have to feed her cat over Christmas. On Christmas Day my kids will want to focus on present opening and I don't want to go out after Christmas dinner (it's 1.5 miles away along an unlit road). I was wondering whether to tell her this but instead thought it would be better to just mention visiting my brother over Christmas. I am going to see him, but only on Boxing Day. So the friend asks what I'm doing for Christmas and I say 'going to my brother's'. So far not a complete lie, but then the friend offers to feed our cat (having previously said she may be away for Christmas). I was caught unawares and just told the blatant lie that another friend had agreed to do the cat feeding. I'm wondering if I should just have been honest and said I don't want to do cat feeding over Christmas.

Yeah you should have just said sorry no I'm not free to feed your cat. Why does she even have a cat if she's never there?

cat would have been OK on it's own for a day

Just tell her the truth and that you’re with family - there is no need to lie.

I don't see why you need to lie.

Never there? That's a reach

4 seperate holidays in a year??

Say something along the lines of:

"Just to give you a bit of notice, but I'm not going to be around at Christmas to feed the cat. I'm not 100% sure of my plans yet but I'm going to spend time with family. I don't want to let you down at the last minute, so thought I best to tell you you now so you can make other arrangements or take the cat with you"!

Or tell her you can't go out to feed the cat as you'll want a drink so can't drive!

Whilst you have no obligation to feed her cat.

If you do want to help.....we have timed cay feeders so even when our cat sitter comes she can set them and not visit for 24 /36 hours depending on how she sets them. (If we are away for over a week it's perfectly reasonable she doesn't want to do twice a day every day. She is a professional it's not a favour.)

We also use them if we are going away overnight too. So no need for someone to some in.

I would say
"Thanks for the offer, but we're having turkey this year and I've already ordered it...

..and to be honest, previously when we had a cat, well, we found it a bit stringy."

Not unreasonable. If you slip up later and she finds out you’re at home, just say your plans changed last minute.

Be blunt and say no.
Her pet her responsibility same goes for children.

So many posters missing the point of this thread.

Don't lie. Say "no, i can't do it this time". Say this soon and give her time to make other arrangements.
Don't make up stories, excuses or whatever. Just be adult about this.

The friend hadn’t asked her to feed her cat. The OP thought she was going to so lied saying she was away in advance to get out of it. Now the friend has offered to feed her cat while she’s away, except she’s not away on Xmas Day and now she’s caught in the lie.

At least I think that’s what it is 😂

On Christmas day? Poor cat

Ah right. Tell the friend you feel shit abandoning your cat on Christmas day so aren't going away

It doesn’t know it’s Christmas Day!

Good idea! It wouldn't be quite so bad if I could avoid Christmas Day.

It will see all the decorations and know OP's left it on its own though

This is exactly right but I just don't want to admit it!

Yes, spot on!

'Sorry Marjorie, any other day is the year is ok but Christmas Day I won't be leaving the house as I want to be here with the children all day.'

I think it’s ok to ‘admit’ you want a drink at lunchtime on Christmas Day. Before I had kids I’d be hitting the bucks fizz at breakfast!