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Original poster

Will my 4 month old kitten be ok for 4 nights on his own?

14 replies

npg1 · 09/04/2010 21:42

I am going away on mon to a haven campsite. The person who was looking after my kitten has let me down. My options now are either ask MIL to come in and feed him twice a day or take him with me in the caravan. Would he be ok left alone? I guess it would be no different if I was working all day, just not there in the evenings.

OP posts:
LilQueenie · 09/04/2010 21:49

Personally I wouldnt leave him alone at all at any age. My dad has a 7yr old cat and we never leave her or my mums 10yr old cat. They get lonely not to mention their urinary habits can change...

ReshapeWhileDamp · 09/04/2010 21:49

Left alone, as in: left with 4 days' worth of food (if you can manage such a thing) and no visits from MIL, etc?

Um, no.

Is this the first time you've left him overnight? He'll be very upset to be abandoned for such a long period - remember, he has no idea that you're coming back. I used to leave my cat for two nights and two days with a supply of food once she was well-established with us, and seemed secure, but this wasn't ideal and I only did it as a last resort.

And 4 days is a long time. How can you guarantee that enough food will keep fresh for that long? Is there a cat flap, and if so, do you think other cats might come in and steal food? Do you have one of those cat feeders that work on a timer? But they wouldn't store enough food for 4 days. Even if you feed him dry food only, the water will run out and he'll get dehydrated.

If you have someone coming in daily to feed him and give him a stroke, that's different. 4 days is a long time, especially for such a young cat. Can't you book a cattery if you're not able to take the cat with you?

pointydog · 09/04/2010 21:53

I think 4 nights with your mil going in twice a day will be ok but be prepared for the kitten wrecking your gaff by climbing curtains, walls, etc.

I have left my cat on her own for a week with the neighbours popping in and my neighbours (both vets) have left their cat for a week with me popping in. Preferable to a cattery

Original poster
npg1 · 09/04/2010 21:56

I wouldnt leave him alone for 4 days on his own, no. As I explained in my post I would ask MIL to come in and feed him 2-3 times a day, she would happily do this.

Im wondering if I could take him, we are going to Haven, I could sneak him in with us!

Im not sure about a cattery!

OP posts:
pointydog · 09/04/2010 21:58

oh crikey, no, you can't take him with you. ask mil if she can spend a little time there, stroking and playing with kitten.

onadietcokebreak · 09/04/2010 22:01

Fuck...have just realised I am going to have the same problem.

However she will be allowed out by end if April (all jabbed by then) so hoping she will be able to come in and out as she wants.

Dont take her to Haven. The journey alone will be too distressing for her.

ReshapeWhileDamp · 09/04/2010 22:03

Sorry, I misread your post in that case.

I still think 4 months is rather young for that sort of arrangement, especially if you do have a cat flap and he has free access (I always worried about my own cat having an accident when we left her for the weekend with the neighbours to feed her). But if MIL is happy to spend some time there with him, it'll help. Is he clingy or independent?

onadietcokebreak · 09/04/2010 22:03

Imagine asking your MIL to stroke pussy! (well it is late on friday and no bum sex post)

Original poster
npg1 · 09/04/2010 22:05

Thanks, the journey is about an hour and a half so not too bad.

OP posts:
Original poster
npg1 · 09/04/2010 22:07

Ha ha!!!

have a cat flap fitted but its locked and no he doesnt go out so she would have to do litter tray to.

I will speak to her tomorrow. So do you all think im mad for wanting to take him with me? He isnt clingy but likes to sleep with me and I will miss hhim lol!

OP posts:
onadietcokebreak · 09/04/2010 22:10

My 5mth old cried like made during a 10mins trip in the car to the vets last week.

The caravan will be hot and if he gets out you may never find him. Plus you will have to take litter tray etc.

beautifulgirls · 11/04/2010 22:39

Please don't take the kitten with you - it would not be fair to anyone staying after you if they have cat allergies. It can trigger life threatening asthma in some people and if you are not in a place that normally allows pets, the next people in would not have any reason to suspect it could be an allergy risk to them.

Twice a day visits from MIL to feed and check on health is just fine. I would be wary of letting him out through the cat flap if he is not very used to doing it before you go. If he did go missing it is a lot of stress for MIL plus the first times he is out and about he is establishing boundaries and more likely to get into fights - not to say he will but is a high risk time. Not so good when you are away and not able to take him to the vet if necessary.

sheas · 12/04/2010 21:38

OMG Don't take the cat with you, it is so easy to leave a window or door open and you'll lose him!! I'm sure he'll be fine with visits from your MIL especially of she stays a fusses him for a while when she is there. Cats are more suited to this set-up than dogs, have a good holiday!!!

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 12/04/2010 21:41

Why doesn't you MIL just have him at her house for a few days?

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