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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

Going away for a weekend - cat sitter or automatic feeder?

16 replies

SpittinKitten · 27/08/2021 14:52

Hi, I'm just after a bit of advice. I'm away for two nights shortly and have an indoor cat. Last time I went on a break, I hired a cat sitter, who came once a day and set up a catmate timed feeder for her evening meals. I got daily texts to say that she was hiding when he came round, but obviously OK as she ate most of the food...

I was thinking about getting a six meal timer feeder for her dry food, and this water dispenser this time round www.argos.co.uk/product/9340022

Do you think that would be ok (I'm leaving Tues afternoon and back Thursday evening)? Or should I really get someone in daily, even though she's likely to hide when they come?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
SpittinKitten · 27/08/2021 14:56

^ ignore "weekend" in thread title, I had a mild brain blip.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 27/08/2021 15:03

I've got a six meal feeder and I find it really difficult to set up. I don't trust it at all. I have two two meal feeders instead, as they are easier. However I wouldn't leave mine for more than 24 hours without someone checking on them. Just for peace of mind.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/08/2021 15:04

One of mine loves people so I like her to have some company.

RNBrie · 27/08/2021 15:05

We'd leave our cat with the automatic cat feeder for this short a period of time. Anything longer than 2/3 nights would be a cattery trip.

Lellochip · 27/08/2021 15:10

I once tried an automatic feeder before I went away and it just didn't work, so I don't trust them. I'm lucky mine is a grazer so for 2/3 nights I'll just leave a tonne of dried food, and multiple water bowls down. Any longer and I get someone to come in to check up on her

AlCalavicci · 27/08/2021 15:13

My cat is like yours @SpittinKitten he hates strangers , I went away for a 3 days a few weeks ago so I asked a friend to pop in to feed him .
Although he does get meat he only ever eats a small am out at a time ( 80g pouch split over a day and pos breakfast next day ) so I told my friend to only give him a tiny bit.
When I came home it I found his bowl piled with meat , the house stunk rotten

Friend thought she would treat my cat to a 'proper size meal on each of the three days so she gave him a pouch and and a half every day and put the fresh stuff on top of the old meat .

Next time I am buying an automatic feeder with an ice pack in the bottom !

cinders15 · 27/08/2021 15:24

We have that water dispenser - it's great!
We use catmate for food - usually it works a treat, but last time all four didn't pop up! (2 x2) - we leave biscuits as well so they had something - but I felt terrible! I suspect batteries were naff this time 🤷‍♀️

imacuddler · 27/08/2021 15:27

For that short a time I would leave loads of dry food out and lots of water bowls.
I wouldn't trust an automatic feeder and wouldn't pay someone for what will be one day without you.

justabigdisco · 27/08/2021 15:30

For 2 nights I’d just leave plenty of dry food and plenty of water. 3-4 nights I’d get someone to pop in once. Any more and I’d use cattery.

icedcoffees · 27/08/2021 18:49

Cat sitter - every time.

I want my cats to have their normal routine of being fed twice a day, and I wouldn't completely trust an automatic feeder as I've read too many stories of them going wrong.

I'd also want someone popping in to make sure they're healthy and happy.

BridgetInHerBravery · 27/08/2021 18:51

Even if the feeding things worked (and I wouldn't trust them), someone needs to clear the litter tray/s every day.

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/08/2021 20:12

I’d want a cat sitter.

Original poster
SpittinKitten · 28/08/2021 15:14

@BridgetInHerBravery - I hadnt thought about litter trays 🤦‍♀️

@AlCalavicci omg that's awful! I was really glad when I got home last time that mine's on dry food only, there were a lot of uneaten biscuits...

I'm going for a catsitter after all - a visit the night I go and the morning I come back, and two visits on the inbetween day - hopefully my cat might be less timid with a woman sitter this time (and a couple of packs of Lick-e Lix).

Thanks for all the advice - I'm definitely going to have a worry free break now instead of catastrophising about non working feeders and litter mountains! Smile

OP posts:
SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 15:17

@imacuddler

For that short a time I would leave loads of dry food out and lots of water bowls. I wouldn't trust an automatic feeder and wouldn't pay someone for what will be one day without you.
Me too. I’ve done it several time’s and it’s been fine.
AlCalavicci · 28/08/2021 16:18

@SpittinKitten my friend really thought she was been extra nice to my cat , ( he looks skinny ) but the smell of 3 day old cat food when we have had some very warm weather was something lot behold!
I hope all goes well for your furry pawed pal

RavingAnnie · 28/08/2021 17:06

We leave ours for a couple of nights with an automatic feeder (we use two separate ones). I also leave out a big bowl of dry biscuits though in case the feeder malfunctions (which we have had happen before!) so she's never left without food.

I probably wouldn't leave her more than 2 nights without arranging for someone to pop in.

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