Is it possible to feed cats through a letterbox?!

[Nokeysnoentry]

I’ve been feeding my friend’s cats for the past week. As she was due back from her holiday this evening, I put the keys through her letterbox after I had locked up today. Unfortunately her flight has been cancelled and she won’t be back until Sunday evening. What do I do?! I’m most concerned about them not having enough water. Would it be crazy to pop some ice cubes and food pouches through the letterbox?! Or, will they be okay until Sunday?

[Nokeysnoentry]

I don’t actually have cats myself. Whilst I was there I just periodically refreshened and topped up their water, so I don’t actually know how much they drink on a daily basis as I never let them run out. I’d say I left them with a normal pet bowl that was half to two thirds full of water. I hope that makes sense.

I will suggest she could overnight the keys to me.

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

could you fit a hamster bottle through the letter box so the cat could suck the water like a hamster does

A cat would not suckle water from a hamster bottle. That's such a strange suggestion.

[newmomof1]

@boringlyboring rotting food smells better than rotting cat.

[Haffdonga]

Were the loo doors open? Cats will drink water from toilet bowl if needs be.

[Blueemeraldagain]

If the bowl is half-two thirds full of water there’s no need to freak out yet. You have enough time to try a few different fishing techniques/wait for the spare key holder to be found.

[daisypond]

Put a small bowl or saucer through the letter box. Put a tube through the letterbox and pour water into the bowl that way.

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

I’d say I left them with a normal pet bowl that was half to two thirds full of water

That's not going to be enough for two cats. If they don't have a cat flap then I'm assuming they are indoor cats? They will need also their litter trays changing or your friend is going to come back to a rather unpleasant house.

[Nokeysnoentry]

I didn't leave a running tap and she doesn’t have a water fountain. I called her just before I left and locked up, to check I was fine to do so, and everything was fine, half an hour she discovered her flight was cancelled.

[Nokeysnoentry]

I changed the litter tray just before I left, so hopefully that won’t be too bad. I tried to leave the house even tidier than I found it, but I’m actually worried about the toilets. I put cleaning fluid around the rims before I left, but I can only remember closing one of the lids.

[Dippypippy1980]

My cat has been drinking water and cat milk - but eating less. I am paranoid about making sure she has enough fluids.

Also, are the cats sharing one bowl of water?

Hope you get into the house. Of no solutions by tomorrow I think you need to force the door.

[Haffdonga]

You're looking at 48 hours. If they have been eating wet food (tins or sachets) two thirds of a bowl will be enough as there's liquid in the food already. They can survive perfectly well without their litter tray being emptied for 2 days - not ideal but not a threat to life.

[Nokeysnoentry]

They’re not indoor cats, she’s forever opening and closing the doors for them, she really needs a cat flap.

[ladygracie]

I think, depending on the lock, that a locksmith can get in without needing to change the locks as I did something similar to you years ago OP. We didn’t want to tell the person what had happened & it was all sorted. This was a Yale lock I think.

[ohhdearyme]

What @Haffdonga said. I can't imaging 2 days will kill them.
Cats can actually go a while without water.

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

They’re not indoor cats, she’s forever opening and closing the doors for them, she really needs a cat flap.

Sorry I mistook the lack of a cat flap for them being indoor beasties. However if she is forever opening and closing the door does that mean they currently cannot go outside? Surely if they are stuck inside they do indeed have litter trays? Either that or is their a window they can get out of, that would make feeding them much easier?

[Iputthescrewinthetuna]

Do you have a strong magnet? I know PP has suggested this. It is probably your cheapest option and most fair for cats!

[Nokeysnoentry]

They’ve just been eating dry food. I filled their food bowls just before I left, so I’m not too worried about them food wise, it’s the water that’s my main concern. Yes, they share one water bowl, but as I never let it get empty I didn’t give that much thought.

[Iputthescrewinthetuna]

If you are in birmingham I have strong magnets that would easily lift keys!

[CameraTime]

Can you crush ice into a bowl and slot it through the letterbox? Possibly rig up some kind of string system to lower it down.

Dry cat food until Sunday, and then put their regular food in on Sunday, so less chance for it to get stinky.

[boringlyboring]

newmomof1 that won’t happen in 2 days, given that there is water out (and now OP has confirmed they have food out too).

[newmomof1]

@boringlyboring yes, now OP has confirmed all is fine.
You commented on the smell of food hence my reply.

[Dippypippy1980]

Also, this must be really stressful for you. Hope you are ok😊

[Nokeysnoentry]

They are currently stuck in the house, yes, but they do have access to a litter tray and some food and water, but how long that will last I do not know.

I don’t have a strong magnet, no.

[CrackOn]

Well, it'll have to wait until tomorrow now of the coat hanger doesn't work. Ask your friend about a locksmith.

[TeaKettleBell]

Surely the cat can drink out of the toilet? Unless she has a bleachy think in the cistern.