Leaving cats at weekends

[Frenchroots]

My husband is planning to buy a camper van for weekends. I love the idea but worry about leaving our two cats regularly. They have cat flap access to a fairly safe garden and either a neighbour or pet service would pop in to feed them. We would probably leave the cat flap open at night when away whereas we shut them in at night when we’re here. I worry about leaving them too often - my husband thinks I’m being silly and that this is the benefit of cats. I am, aren’t ?

I wouldn't do it. What happens if one gets hurt or trapped somewhere?

Your cats will be fine. If you have a pet sitter or neighbour checking on them and feeding them twice a day.

You know your cats. Some MNers will have cats that they feel unable to leave, but by far most cats can be left with pop in care and check visits.

We leave ours for the weekend and they’re fine. Our neighbor keeps an eye on them for us, but cats are pretty self-sufficient.

I kept mine in when I went away as I was worried about them if they were out and about.

My mum fed them and sat with them for an hour a day at lunchtime watching my tv so they weren’t alone!

I'd happily leave mine for 2 nights. If they use a litter tray, I'd be tempted to shut them in, though. I'd worry about them going looking for me.

We went away for a fortnight and left ours. They didn't have access to the house while we were away though. Their 'house' is the large shed and the cat flap is on that. A neighbour fed them twice a day. If yours are used to sleeping in the house then you'd need to leave the cat flap open. Do they use a litter tray in the house? If so, I wouldn't fancy the smell when you get home tbh.

Are they used to you being out and about?

I've happily left previous cats with a pet sitter popping in twice/day at a regular time of day for a week at a time (longer than that we'd get family/friends to house sit.

Current pair only had a couple of
Months with us before the first lockdown and we're at home (or at least one of us is) nearly all day. The in-laws will be supervising them for a week this summer.

All of them have hated kennels. They don't like other cats nearby.

I suppose you could get some pet cameras so you can check they are coming and going. It's not as if you can head especially far at the moment.

If you normally lock them in at night then I would continue with that , not just let them go out for the weekend as they are likely to get themselves into trouble . Personally I’d shut them in for the weekend with visits .

I agree they will be fine. Mine are left every weekend. They eat dry food so that's not an issue, just a big bowl left out. I have strategically placed cameras to keep an eye on them, and local family with a key if there are any problems. They never look particularly overjoyed to see me on a Monday morning.

We regularly leave ours with a neighbour feeding twice a day.

Miserable old sod is always disappointed we didn't stay away longer 😉

(The cat, not the neighbour)

I used to do this a lot (before kids / covid). I had a family member come over in the morning to feed and open the cat flap, then again in the evening to feed and lock them in the house (they were never far away and would always come running for dreamies). Would that work for you?