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

Original poster

Leaving cats at home while on holiday

15 replies

Solasshole · 07/05/2018 22:28

Hi, was hoping if anyone could offer some advice and/or reassure me regarding leaving my 2 adult cats at home while I'm away for a week on holiday? I worry if they'll be ok or not!! What do other people do?

They are indoor cats and my PIL will be coming over daily to make sure they are fed, watered, litter changed, healthy etc but I'm worried they'll get bored or sad or something...

The younger of my two cats is very friendly and always wants attention constantly whenever I'm home so I worry about him the most. I've previously left them alone for just over a day (with extra food and water left out) and they were fine but a week with only minimal human interaction is a bit different!!

Anyone have any reassurances or advice to give? I have a feliway diffuser in my home from when I adopted them as the youngest was very stressed at the time (he's fine now though.)

Thanks in advance! Smile

OP posts:
LolitaLempicka · 07/05/2018 22:29

They’ll be fine. They will, however, ignore you in your return.

Original poster
Solasshole · 07/05/2018 22:37

Thanks for the reassurance!! Smile

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/05/2018 22:41

Are they used to your PIL?
Can you be sure they can't stash out when PIL come over?
Indoor cats would be happier in their own home than in a cattery surely? Would PIL have some play time with the cats or a cuddle time? No I don't spoil mine! Blush

Original poster
Solasshole · 07/05/2018 22:46

wolfie, they have met PIL before but not many times but they are both (unusually??) very friendly cats and always been very good with strangers. My older cat doesn't care who feeds her so long as she's fed and sunbathes the rest of the time lol, my younger always wants to cuddle and play but will try that with almost anyone who walks through the front door Smile

PIL will play with them for a little bit but won't have loads of time as it's a 20min drive each way to get to our place from theirs unfortunately and they do have their own lives

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/05/2018 22:48

Have their own lives? Not if they're cat slaves for the week they don't! Wink
If the cats know them and don't mind them in the house I would say it's a great solution. They will be safe and warm and at home. You will know who's looking after them and the house will be kept an eye on too. Have a good time.

Original poster
Solasshole · 07/05/2018 22:51

Thank you!!

OP posts:
Athenajm80 · 07/05/2018 22:55

I always leave my tribe at home when I go on holidays. My friend stays here loads anyway (on the pretence of renovating my house 🙄 ) so they're used to him. I do worry about them, so may explain several times how long I'll be away for and that I'll miss them loads 😁 Favourite cat used to stop eating when I was away so friend used to feed him by hand 😂😂 He is ok with it now (favourite cat, not friend) but will not leave my side for a week when I get back. The rest couldn't care less. Bastards.

Wolfiefan · 07/05/2018 23:01

Ah but they're your bastards! Wink

EachandEveryone · 07/05/2018 23:16

Would your neighbour pop in as well?

NorthernLurker · 07/05/2018 23:24

As they are indoor cats I would say it's likely to go fairly well. Ours is an outdoor cat and I have left he with a neighbour coming in for two nights fairly often and once for four when we couldn't get a cattery. She was a bit narked with us. I often leave the radio on for ours during the day. She seems to like it. Might that help? You could have it on a timer?

torthecatlady · 07/05/2018 23:47

We did this recently, a very close friend of ours (who is our go-to cat sitter) popped in in the morning and evening to top up biscuits, new wet food and fresh water.
He also provided some cuddles for dc1 (7) and treats. Dc2 (2) hates everyone except for me and hides. Hmm

We used to use a cattery, but dc1 has severe anxiety (he's a rescue cat who ended up at the Cat Protection League 3 times before we took him in) and it's too stressful for him. He often refuses to eat at a cattery and comes home a bag of bones.

Dc2 gave me a big telling off when I got home. Nothing, a tin of tuna in spring water and some cuddles couldn't fix.

This set up saves the cats the stress, plus we get regular updates on how they are. Of course, it saves us the expense of two cats in a cattery but we always make an effort to buy a nice dinner for our friend to say thank you and we return the favour when he is away.

Heartofglass12345 · 08/05/2018 12:16

They will be fine, and ignore you when you get back lol. We always leave ours at home. A couple of years ago I went into spontaneous labour while we were on holiday and ours were on their own for a month altogether with my mum and sister checking on them. They hated us for weeks lol

thecatneuterer · 08/05/2018 13:24

They'll be fine. And would be happier in their own home than in a cattery.

LanguidLobster · 08/05/2018 13:39

They'd be better at home IMO if they've got someone round each day. The only thing I would suggest is leaving the radio on low volume for some background noise.

Original poster
Solasshole · 08/05/2018 13:55

Thank you everyone for the replies Smile I feel much better leaving them alone now

OP posts:
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