Shit. On 2 night residential this week and unsure what to do.

[JonSnowKnowsNothing]

Hello all - please help me solve this logistical nightmare! I'm away Wed and Thurs night this week and don't know how best to look after my cats. I have:
Scabbers - reluctantly I have accepted I have to let him in and out as he pleases. He buggered off last week for 3 days and is currently on his third day away this week
Snowy - Indoor neutered 12 month old boy
Cersei - 5 week old kitten I found last weekend.

Ive spoken to a local cattery who were nice but only willing to look after Cersei if Snowy came too, for company. Thing is, Snowy plays so roughly with Cersei I'm worried he will stress her and hurt her. He does like her, but he's so much bigger and sometimes when they play Cersei does squeak if he's playing roughly.

Cattery lady also suggested just leaving Snowy and Cersei alone in the house with my friend popping in to feed them. Cersei can't do stairs yet. Also, if Scabbers comes in I would worry for her as he really hasn't taken to her yet.

I wish I didn't have to bloody go!

Any suggestions??

Luckily they seem to think that a poo is worse than a pee for a protest even though it's easier to clear up (unless it's liquid.) Must be the smell to them.

Have you got taste treats for them this evening? (Sounds as if you'll need them.)

I have, thankfully.
On the one hand I'm happy the kittens so obviously independent already, but I just want cuddles again! I loved her sleeping away on my chest while I lay on sofa. You're right about the poo protest though Cozie. Foiled that one pretty quickly!
However, I'm having a nice glass of cava on the front step in the sunshine so all will be fine.

She'll come round - remember that she's only known you for - what - a sixth of her life? (And then you went off again.) Just go about your business as normal but ladle out the taste treats. Should do the trick.

PS - I forgot to ask. Have you got more than one tray?

Yes, I have two. The upstairs one has last week only been used by the kitten, but this is the one snowy has chosen to crap next to.
Just been up for a cuddle and she was fine. I think she's just much more ok on her own and not so clingy. She let me stroke her chin anyway

She'll be fine.

I'd keep both trays going for the foreseeable even though the boys go outside. It's interesting that Snowy chose to poo next to 'hers'. You should probably have put another one out while you were away although I appreciate that there might have been no response to it. (And at least he pood next to the tray so that you could see it immediately and not discover it later on when you were moving the couch to hoover.)

Only scabbers goes outside. Snowers is still totally indoors.
I sense we're getting back to normal now. They've come down to play "tig" and they look perfectly happy. Snowy is even LICKING the kitten which made my heart melt a little bit!!

Just throwing you a sulky protest then. They'd have found you going about doing your things really reassuring - cats seem to thrive on routine and relax into it.

Has Scabbers been off with you?

Haven't seen the little bugger! I'm having to accept he wants free access to outside these days. Two new families have moved in recently near me and they have outdoor cats who stay out all night. I think he just resented being locked in after 6pm. I'm quite certain he's safe. The other night when the pet sitter (brilliant woman) came round for consultation, I said "you probably won't see Scabbers the whole time you're here - I haven't seen him for four days." At that second the cat flap went and he strolled in, ignored me and rubbed her legs!!!

She didn't see him on her visits though, but I know he's about and am not worrying. I do want him to accept this kitten though so if I can get him in for a while this weekend it would set my mind at ease. He doesn't just growl when he sees her, his whole demeanor changes - he just seems really unhappy

His nose is likely out of joint. He had to adjust to Snowers (which wasn't too bad because Snowers turned out to be a (temporary) devoted wingman) - and then the kit arrrived and Snowers, the dirty turncoat, started playing with her!

As soon as the other two are on an even keel, I'd start giving Scabbers lots of fuss and special taste treats. The kitten won't notice and Snowers will probably take is in his stride if he notices he's not getting the preferential treatment. See how that goes for a week, maybe?

Haha, you summed it up in a paragraph one! I think that's exactly it. When he came in for a couple of nights last week I shut the kit and Snowers out of my room for the night and let Scabbers sleep in with me, which was nice. He was very purry and relaxed and if he decides to come back in any time soon I will do that again. The other two are more than happy with each other's company.

Basically, what you're saying is I'm going to have to stock up on taste treats, isn't it!

Wholesale purchase, I reckon! I'd give it a try anyway and see if it makes any difference.

You couldn't refuse these little sods could you?!

Just had to share this. It was suspiciously quiet upstairs so I popped up to find snowy and the kitten on my bed. Snowy was giving her a very thorough clean, it was hilarious. She was trying to do it back! They just looked so cute and I'm amazed Snowers, as a tom, seems to have taken on the mum role like this.

Both seem fine today and back to normal. I must be forgiven. No Scabbers yet, I'm sure he will show his face this weekend at some point!

Good on Snowers! (I'm sure he has some oriental in him.)

Have you got Scabbers TLC wherewithal ready for his return?

Of course! Cat treats tucked into drawers all round the house!
I'm certain snowy must have some oriental in him too. Another poster on here was talking about her cats unknown mix of breeds and she mentioned his "metallic" kind of call - that's what snowy does. When I talk to him, he responds to everything I say with a kind of little "waa" noise! (Must remember not to kiss him actually, as he did a most thorough job on the kitten's bot!)