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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

How long is it ok to leave DCat for?

19 replies

MelchettsTinslyMoustache · 30/11/2016 15:30

DCat will be home alone for Christmas Sad
Our usual cat spa cattery is fully booked and he genuinely hates the others we've tried (pulls out his hair, refuses to eat and then clings to us for the first few days home) I normally book well in advance but our plans have changed this year as DDad died recently and DM wants us to go to her so we can visit his grave Sad
So it looks like DCat will stay at home. For clarity, we have left him for a couple nights in the past, he has a cat flap and seems genuinely unconcerned about our absence. However we will be away for 5-6 days which I think is too long to be on his own. I could ask a neighbour to pop in and check on him if I can't get the cat feeder lady (I'm fairly sure I won't be able to at such short notice) but will this be alright

OP posts:
WeAreEternal · 30/11/2016 15:34

My neighbors go away for long weekends every other month and leave their cat to fend for herself, tbh I don't think she could care less as long as she is fed.

They tried her in catteries for years but like yours it was a very traumatic experience for her, so leaving her alone seemed kinder.

I and another neighbor go in once a day to feed her and give her a bit of attention if she is in but otherwise she is alone.
I know some people frown upon it but I genuinely don't think it does her any harm.

MinkyWinky · 30/11/2016 15:42

I think you're right that 5-6 days is too long to leave them alone. I think it's recommended that they are checked every 24 hrs, so if you could get your neighbour to pop round to check on them it would be good.

We can't get one of our cats in a cat carrier, so catteries aren't an option, so I understand where you're coming from!

Original poster
MelchettsTinslyMoustache · 30/11/2016 15:57

Phew, I was a little afraid I would be flames for considering leaving him!

If he could go to his usual cattery then he would, if he settled happily into another then I would definitely use that instead. I just hate to think of him alone in the house over Christmas sleeping on the beds, eating his own body weight in food and sitting on the dining room table

OP posts:
PolterGoose · 30/11/2016 16:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StarBurger · 30/11/2016 16:04

If there is a cat flap and someone could pop in once a day to check I'm sure he'd be fine!

RoastChickenDinner · 30/11/2016 16:29

He's a cat. He doesn't know it's Christmas. A once a day check /feed /fuss is likely fine.

MrsJayy · 30/11/2016 16:32

When jaycat was alive she hated catteries she made herself ill so a combo of lovely neighbours and my Aunt fed her looked in on her longest she was left was 10 days she was fine

crayfish · 30/11/2016 16:36

I think it's too long to leave by themselves. If you have a catflap and somebody to pop in once a day to change the litter (if he uses a tray) and put some food and water down then it's fine. We don't use a cattery as mine were seriously ill after the last time they were there, so get a catsitter to come in twice a day but that's for two indoor cats. The longest I have left them with this arrangement was 16 days for my honeymoon and they were fine.

Original poster
MelchettsTinslyMoustache · 30/11/2016 16:37

That's what DH said Grin

OP posts:
ineedwine99 · 30/11/2016 16:40

Hiya, I leave my cats every time I go away as they stress not being in their own environment (pulling out fur, not eating much at all etc) so my friend comes in every other day to refresh water, sort litter (house cats) put out some wet food and top up biscuit bowls plus fuss them for a bit. They are totally fine and much happier like this, I come back to nice chilled out affectionate cats

MrsJayy · 30/11/2016 16:46

Yes my cat was chilled when we came back went about like we hadn't been away was much better than any cattery who just feed and fuss them maybe twice a day anyway least they are at home.

Ohyesiam · 30/11/2016 16:49

We'll be leaving ours for z5 or 6 days over Christmas, with neighbour popping in daily

Posselhoof · 30/11/2016 16:50

We have to leave ours for 2 nights over Xmas with no one coming in

willconcern · 30/11/2016 16:52

So long as they are fed twice a day, I leave mine for 2 weeks every summer!

Original poster
MelchettsTinslyMoustache · 30/11/2016 18:00

You see will, that was the norm when I was growing up as well so I really should get a grip. It's not like I don't have proof that he's perfectly happy at home on his own and that he hates any other cattery

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 30/11/2016 18:05

A neighbour popping in to feed is just the same as paying the cat-feeding lady! Of course he'll be fine.

We used to have lovely neighbours with kids who liked to fuss ours and were happy to pop in every day. Now we have a cat-hating neighbour on one side and other is too elderly to impose on. Curses!

MummaGiles · 30/11/2016 18:08

One visit a day to check on him and feed him should be ok. We have left ours this week while on holiday with a cat sitting service popping in once a day. We've had photos and messages to say they're ok.

RoastChickenDinner · 01/12/2016 07:44

Grin sorry Mel

RoastChickenDinner · 01/12/2016 07:46

PS sorry about your Dad Sad Flowers

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