Think I forgot to feed the cats this morning.

[Toddlerteaplease]

And I'm on a 12 hour shift.

They won't be very happy but it's not going to harm them.
Don't worry too much but if it's likely to happen again maybe take steps to help you remember in future.

They’ll be very happy to see you later but in the meantime will be absolutely unharmed.

Would a cat timer work for you for the future? (Feed them in the evening and set it for the morning at the same time.)

How? The mind boggles!

No cats of my own but this is the nearest comparison I can make. I've only ever gone back home to check something like leaving the iron on or a window open to find that I actually hadn't turned it off/it. I know that you can't go home with your job, just suggesting that you might have done it automatically.

My brother and SIL used an automatic feeder for when they were away at the weekend. Would Cheddar and Magic use one of those? What about a bowl of dried food for emergencies?

In five years I've never forgotten! It's part of my routine so I'm hoping I did it and just have no recollection of it! It's usually the first thing I do.

Many moons ago I was on a usenet cat group. For a while on there there were a few people who subscribed to the idea that it was healthy for cats to eat irregularly and to have fast days when they didn’t eat at all to mimic the natural pattern of hunting feast and famine. They regularly had their cats going without food for a whole day. No harm seemed to result. My cats would probably just have killed and eaten me.

They only have dry food and their bowls are rarely completely empty.

They are not very food oriented, unless it's my food they want!

If you have, you'll will know about it when you get home. You'll feed them & you'll be forgiven instantly.

They can go without food for weeks. They will be fine.

Probably a bit annoyed, but fine.

I don't think I'd be able to leave the house intact if I even considered this.

I wonder whether they will be so disappointed and disgusted with you that they ignore you - or whether they will be so grateful for your safe return all will be forgiven as soon as the food comes out.

My dd paid 30 quid for an auto feeder from a well known pet shop.
The little buggars opened it themselves within days!!

I've got auto feeders. As they are grazers they do t need them.

there were a few people who subscribed to the idea that it was healthy for cats to eat irregularly and to have fast days when they didn’t eat at all to mimic the natural pattern of hunting feast and famine.

I’ve heard of this too. I can’t imagine how their cats let them get away with it - mine stands on my head if I dare to have a lie in and delay her breakfast 20minutes.

@Sunnydaysstillhere

My dd paid 30 quid for an auto feeder from a well known pet shop. The little buggars opened it themselves within days!!

We had, probably the same, one. Went away for the night and put it into action. Latest cat is very good orientated and I don't think we had even reached the motorway before he'd prised it open and gorged himself...

Both girls still speaking to me!

My cat would be furious with me but he would most definitely survive

I wouldn’t get out of the front door alive!

Mine would just open the bag and help themselves

To add insult to injury, Snorg has had loose poo and has had to have a shower. She is not at all
Happy with me. Though she enjoyed being dried I think

So, did you forget?

I'm not sure. The bowls were empty when I got home. Magic was straight in there, but cheddar the piglet wasn't.