Cat sitting - when to worry?

[Kentlane]

I'm cat sitting for my sister's cat. Shes had her since October last year but it's the first time she has gone on holiday whilst having a cat.

I've was over hers playing with the cat yesterday evening and left around 8.30pm. I shut her in the kitchen as instructed for the evenings but she has access to her car flap 24/7 from there.

When I arrived this morning at 8am she wasn't here to greet me. I've no way of knowing if she left this morning for a walk or if she went somewhere last night.

Any advice on when I should start to worry? 😬

I'm thinking of shes not back by 2pm when I leave I'll put food down and come over at 8pm to see if shes appeared or eaten the food?

Likely it will be down to the change in her familiar environment, if the first time your sister's been away for an extended period. When did your sister leave?

Though you sound lovely, if you're playing with her and giving her attention and affection.

Does she see you fairly regularly or are you newish to her?

She probably will return, and, yes, putting food down so you can see if she's been and gone by the time you pop back later was wise move.

Putting a favourite toy she always plays with on her own, in a certain place/position you've made a note of, can also be a good gauge as to whether she's been and gone.

Does she have a chip-activated catflap that only she can access or a regular one?

Has your sister ever mentioned a neighbourhood cat being an issue (she'd have mentioned any being aggressive or threatening to her cat, obviously...but I mean any hanging around a lot in a friendly way)?

Might be worth putting a t-shirt/pillowcase or anything that has your sister's scent on it by her bed, for comfort?

Hope all fine when you return.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

They left on Monday morning and I've been over there every morning and evening and shes always greeted me with meows and head butts and lots of purring.

She knows me a bit. If I'm here with my toddler so runs and hides (wise move on her part) but she has come for strokes in the past when it's me on my own.

Sadly she hasnt touched the food so I've replaced it with fresh. Thanks for the suggestions regarding an item smelling of my sister and the toy, I'll try them. I'm going to hang around a for a while in the hope she comes back before dark.

Thanks again.

Sorry to hear that. I know what it's like when someone else's cat you're looking after goes AWOL. It's double the worry, isn't it?
(If it's any consolation, it's happened to me twice and both returned fine).

I'm sure you've already done so with your sister's, but always worth doublechecking any neighbouring garden sheds/garages etc. just in case she's accidentally got shut in.

Maybe stick a note through their letterbox asking them to please do so, and to call/email you if they spot her roaming around whilst you're not there? Small kids being so observant and of a shorter height often spot cats before adults, so worth asking neighbour to put word around to other locals.

If she's a good hunter, she may just not have eaten the food you put out because she's stuffed with bird/shrew/mouse. They often bring home a small offering for a new person around (apparently, to keep you sweet). Maybe timing of your visit meant she gave into temptation instead. Or Doris at no42 has been overgenerous with the cat treats. Bit of a reach, but you never know.

Might also be worth posting over on The Litter Tray too. A lot of very knowledgeable cat lovers there who may have suggestions.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_litter_tray

Good luck.

She returned! Phew. Thanks again.

Oh, great news! You must feel so relieved.

Hopefully, you'll never again be in that situation, but another useful tip for an AWOL cat is to hang up their blanket or put cat bed outside, so that it prompts them to return home. Apparently, depending on wind direction, they can smell it up to 3ish miles away!

So glad she's returned.

I look after my DF's cats and she calls them every morning and gives them a treat.

Works really well when she's away as if the DCs are home I can shout them and they'll come running.

I always give them treats if I'm visiting her house too so they associate me with food