Keeping cat inside whilst on holiday

[kofiday]

We are going away for a week, he is a very shy cat and when we used a cat sitter last time he buggered off out and barely came home and even brought another cat into the house.
So this time I figured he might actually prefer the house to himself but with my neighbour popping in to leave food and change cat litter, but I don't really want to leave catflap open and risk him roaming about at night, I worry about him getting stuck in a tree or getting run over.

He loves going out so I do feel a bit mean but aibu to think it's better for him to be safe inside for a week?

When you used a cat sitter last time, were they just calling in to feed him once or twice a day? What kind of cat flap do you have?

Ime cats are happiest following their usual routine.

I leave my cat flap open when I am away, partly so that my cat can continue to lead her usual life, and partly because in case of a crisis (fire, or a problem with her water or food supply) I think it is safer for her to be able to get out.

The catflap is just a basic one, the catsitter would leave food out twice a day and he would sneak in and eat it when she wasn't around.

If he wasn't so shy I could obviously get my neighbour to call him in in the evening but he just won't come in if it's someone he doesn't know.

Will your neighbour come in twice a day? What’s the usual routine - cat flap locked at night and open in the day?

If he’s not there in when neighbour comes to feed, would you want her to leave the cat flap open or go looking for him or what?

Personally I wouldn’t keep him shut in - sounds distressing if he’s shy so won’t want fuss from a stranger (neighbour) but won’t have any external stimulation either.

Whenever we have guests round he normally goes upstairs and hides under the bed.

Yes normal routine is catflap shut at night.

Yes neighbour will come in twice a day.

So your neighbour probably won’t know if he’s in or out? That does make it awkward to shut it at night.

I think I’d leave it open. And if the strange cat problem reoccurs, look for a chip cat flap for next time.

If he's fine using the litter tray , I would make sure it's well stocked , I think he will be fine as long as your neighbour is reliable , I would rather know where he was than have him out running about and you not being able to check on him , alternative might be a cattery , either way he's restricted for a week but at least he's safe

How does the neighbour know he is out, and not hiding under a bed (or just sleeping on a bed?).
Can you set the cat flap to "in only".
So neighbour makes it in and out when feeding in the morning, and sets it to in only overnight?

He would absolutely hate a cattery.

@PeonyTime

How does the neighbour know he is out, and not hiding under a bed (or just sleeping on a bed?). Can you set the cat flap to "in only". So neighbour makes it in and out when feeding in the morning, and sets it to in only overnight?

Oh yes that's quite a good idea. My neighbour is very reliable and lovely and takes the cat duties very seriously! But the cat still won't go near her

Is there anyway you could change the cat flap for a microchip one ?

I think if they really hate the battery I would invest in a app cat flap, then you can see if they are in or out and remotely change the settings