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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

7 day automatic feeder

27 replies

mermaidsariel · 05/05/2021 18:21

I am looking for an automatic feeder for my cat for a week. She has been left for three days before but not for a week. She can't go in a cattery as her vaccinations have expired. I have just had her redone but she needs the second one before she can go in a cattery. I don't know the neighbours well enough to ask them to help. Can anyone recommend an automatic feeder?

OP posts:
Clymene · 05/05/2021 18:24

Can't you get a cat sitter to come and visit? That's a really long time to leave a cat alone, even if you can buy a feeder (and I'm not sure they exist because that's way too long to leave a cat on its own)

EdwinPootsLovesArchaeology · 05/05/2021 18:25

No, because that's too long to leave your cat on its own in case something goes wrong.

Wolfiefan · 05/05/2021 18:26

Not for a week. No.
You need someone to check in on your cat. Provide water etc.

hilariousnamehere · 05/05/2021 18:28

Jesus you can't leave your cat for a week! What if the auto feeder broke? How is she going to get fresh water? She'll end up with cystitis from an overfull litter tray she refuses to use! Please don't do this - ask the cattery if they know someone who can pop in each day and check she's ok or you're likely to return to a dead cat.

claireb7rg · 05/05/2021 18:36

There's a reason they don't sell them - it would be cruel to leave a cat alone for that long 😮😮

Can't believe you are considering it - get a sitter in

dementedpixie · 05/05/2021 18:42

You find a catsitter or a friend/family to do it. You can't leave your cat alone for a week with noone looking out for it

Aprilshowersandhail · 05/05/2021 18:45

My dd bought one. Then she stood and watched dcats open it and gorge themselves...
Personally I would never trust one!

Original poster
mermaidsariel · 05/05/2021 18:53

Im trying to find someone to come in and feed her. We moved here relatively recently and I don't know anyone who lives locally to ask. I am trying to find someone though.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 05/05/2021 19:08

Local vet may be able to point you in the right direction of someone.
You can’t leave a cat alone for a week.

JoanOgden · 05/05/2021 19:28

Have you googled cat sitters in the local area? Any local acquaintances whose teenagers would do it for some pocket money?

Packinbox · 05/05/2021 19:34

You cannot leave a cat that long! Is this a poor attempt at trolling?

Clymene · 05/05/2021 19:39

Ask on a Facebook locL site, ask your vet. Someone will be able to care for your cat. If you can't find anyone, you don't go away. Right? Confused

Toddlerteaplease · 05/05/2021 20:29

I have a five meal
One and I don't trust it at all. You can't leave your cat for 7 days unattended. Get a professional cat sitter in.

Lonecatwithkitten · 05/05/2021 20:41

The legal minimum is that any animal should have it's health and welfare checked at least once every 24 hours.

There are plenty of pet sitting services who will pop in once per day to top up the 24 hour cat feeder and check that all is we with your cat.

mayblossominapril · 05/05/2021 20:45

Have you asked at catteries? THere maybe one with an isolation pen who will take your cat.
Is there a college local to you that does animal care as you will find a reliable student

VimFuego101 · 05/05/2021 20:55

Ask local vets to recommend a cat sitter who will come into your house, or check NextDoor or the local area Facebook groups. A week is too long to be left alone if something went wrong.

Plump82 · 05/05/2021 21:05

There's a company called Cat in a Flat. UK wide. Lots of the sitters are vet nurses or involved in animal care. Some are just cat lovers! They give daily rates. Ive used it a couple of times with my old cat before we found a regular cat sitter.
Please don't leave yours for 7 days. I know you're not meaning to be, but it's cruel.

akahsvegjj · 05/05/2021 21:07

Go on your local Facebook page and look for a local pet sitter. 7 days is much too long, imagine she knocked her water over or something? You'd come home to a dead cat!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 05/05/2021 21:07

Our Cattery has an isolation pen for this sort of situation. I’d ask around.

Original poster
mermaidsariel · 05/05/2021 21:08

Right okay. I see the error of my ways. I have had cats all my life . I’ve
Never left one that long, no. We’ve always had neighbours or friends to feed them or used a cattery. I’ve checked out a couple of catteries today and not been happy with what I saw. I’ve contacted some cat sitters now so will either go with that or get the next door neighbour to feed her. We hardly know him but he likes her.
When we booked the week away a family member was going to be here, but he’s now coming with us at short notice.

OP posts:
KristaK · 05/05/2021 23:08

Tailster has been great when our neighbours haven’t been around for finding cat sitters :-)

Ibizafun · 05/05/2021 23:17

I am so pleased you understand now that it’s beyond cruel to leave a cat all alone for a week. TrustedHousesitters.com will look after your home and cat for free, I’ve spoken to some lovely people on there and that’s what we’re doing.

Original poster
mermaidsariel · 06/05/2021 00:01

I don’t think you can say it’s cruel. It depends on the cat. Our previous cat was left for two weeks regularly with someone coming to feed him daily. He was absolutely fine. This cat is a different character and she would not be happy.

OP posts:
Plump82 · 06/05/2021 03:09

Not having fresh water daily and their litter tray emptied at least daily is cruel. Would you drink a glass of water that had been sitting for a week and use and unflushed toilet?

EspressoExpresso · 06/05/2021 04:06

@mermaidsariel

I don’t think you can say it’s cruel. It depends on the cat. Our previous cat was left for two weeks regularly with someone coming to feed him daily. He was absolutely fine. This cat is a different character and she would not be happy.
The rspca would say different (and Lord knows it's hard to get them to act!). They say an animal should be checked on at least once every 24hrs. What if you go away and the feeder fails to open? Or the cat knocks the water bowl over on day 1? Or he becomes unwell? Or injured?