AIBU to mention neighbours' cat waking us early while they're away?

[SMLSML]

Would you say something to your neighbour?

We're in a semi detached with the doors right next to each other when they go away on holiday they leave their cat at home and have someone come morning and evening to feed it. The issue is they let it out at night and it comes home early in the morning around 5:30am and meows to be let in, it's so loud and with the window open it's waking us up. Would you text the neighbours or let it drop as it's only whist they're on holiday? The person doesn't normally come to let them in until 9am.

Must feel confused, on top of being hungry. I think I’d prefer to keep him indoors at night (as I do my own, 24/7) as at least he's among familiar spaces and scents (they dig FaceTime engagements, by the way!) He’ll survive missing his nocturnal patrols.

I would - but but to moan as it’s annoying you as that’s super short lived. The poor cat has been kicked out all evening. You could offer to let it in - double win. Cat gets to sleep if it’s cosy bed and so do you.

This is so cruel 😩 tell the neighbours what the cat minder is doing and ask if they can get a cat flap for the cat its so unnecessary for them to be left to roam when they want to come inside. I have a cat and couldn’t imagine doing that to her!

Nothing wrong with chucking water at the cat? Where the fuck did you all grow up to have such little empathy for others?? The poor cat doesn’t know why it’s getting soaked. Horrible.

I'd only mention it saying the poor cat is probably a little scared. Otherwise stick a fan on and you won't hear it. It's only temporary. Living in close proximity to people is a bit of give and take.

If cats are as intelligent as you suggest, it will learn to move out of the range of the window before it miaows

What is this about cats being locked in/out. Doesnt anyone have a cat flap any more?!

The only question for me would be whether to say something now or when the neighbours returned. I would frame it as their cat was unhappy and seemed perhaps distressed. I agree that the person looking after the cat may have been expected to leave it indoors or be there earlier.

Larry does not have one, it's not a normal thing.

Really? People crash cars because they get woken up
s bit early? What happens when they have new babies and get a lot less sleep for a lot longer than 10
days? Do people stop driving or stop working?

Its not all night parties for 10 days, it’s a cat crying.

Don’t ever move to the coast, the seagulls would mean you couldn’t drive safely for the summer months!

Ear plugs are a quick fix.

You could have a word with them when they return. It’s odd they have a cat that goes out and don’t have a cat flap.

Right.

Cats shouldn’t be left out at night. My catsitter lets my cat out in the morning and lets him in again late afternoon. Maybe that would suit this cat better.

Probably not in the heat. A cat flap would suit them all most.

If I had a key for neighbours house, I'd go and let the cat in. But i'm a sucker for animals.
I'd also speak to the cat sitter. I wouldn't contact my neighbours on their holiday.
If the cat sitter sorts the issue, job done. If not, I'd speak to the neighbours when they get back.

Speak to the cat sitter now.
If that doesn’t resolve it mention it to them when they return ready for next time they go away.

Some of these responses are weird. If a poster said there was a dog barking loudly at that time of the morning, nobody would tell them to get eqr plugs and suck it up, but somehow because it’s a cat they should be patient and kind.

Our neighbours cat had a period like this when they were on holiday, we thought maybe it was lonely and bought cat food to try and tempt it in. Nope still got woken up every morning at the crack of dawn. Earplugs don’t cut it by the way, they’re good for repetitive stuff like snoring but a cats cry is quite piercing. Anyway fast forward a few years and our dog barks when let out for its last wee at around 9.30/10 . Cue cat owning neighbour complaining to us. There’s no quid pro quo in this situation and why should OP be up so early because her neighbours haven’t got a simple cat flap ?

Is the cat also out all night when the neighbours are at home? Have you tried talking to the cat sitter? Maybe you could ask them to keep it in at night?

I would phrase it as concern for the cats welfare as it's waiting to be let in a long time. It would be much safer for it to be left out during the day too, risk from predators and cars is higher at night. The annoyance at the miowing will be inferred 😂

You can't force them to do anything differently, you just let them know. We have neighbours with loud pets and I know they've tried everything. Detached houses are the answer (but you'd still have the wildlife)

Personally, I don't understand why people would do this. Leave in with a litter tray or get a cat flap. I've had so many cats go missing I wouldnt want to risk them opting for more available humans while I was on holiday. Bit different when they can come and go as they please and access biscuits and familiarity in the night. You can have them put in brick and windows too so having glass doors etc isn't really a reason.

My empathy is with the OP who is being woken up at stupid o’clock for who knows how long so that an irresponsible and selfish cat owner can have a holiday.

It’s the cat owners job to protect the cat from unpleasant but harmless things if it’s that cruel. If they take the decision to allow the cat out to annoy other people and kill wildlife, then they have accepted the risks that go with it.

What’s selfish and irresponsible about taking a holiday while owning a cat? They may not know the cat is being shut out all night.

Cats should always be let out. Unless you live on a main road in which case, don’t get a cat or a dog.

Its not on her property and she has no right to throw water onto neighbours property.

Absolutely.

She knows how long it’s two weeks!

I mean how very dare cat owners take holidays?

You’re not a cat lover are you? You hide it well though 🙄.