I’m looking for some advice as to leaving my 8.5 month old kitten for a short and a medium period. Whilst I know every cat is different, I’d be interested in what others do and how their cats have reacted.
History - I adopted a 6 month old cat from a Shelter. Whether due to his history or his nature, he is very independent, not much for patting or snuggling or touching me, but loves playing, very quick and smart and wants to be near/in the same room as me all the time. Initially he slept in a different room to me (so 12 hours separation from me), but once he had the run of the house he chose to sleep in my bedroom, so we are rarely apart. Occasionally very early in the morning I hear him playing in another room, but if I make a noise (not calling for him, just any noise), he will come back to the room I am in.
Due to a door lock issue, every time I leave the house (1-3 hours to meet friends/exercise/groceries or 5 hours 1/2 day at work) I have shut him in the laundry. This is ‘his’ room - the room he started in when he first came, he is fed in there, 2 litter trays, 2 sleeping cubes, a sleeping mat, 2 water bowls and a water fountain, scratching post and some toys. He is usually fed in this room, and goes in to use the litter tray during the day. However when I have to go out, as above, I shut him in here, usually times so he gets a pouch of food.
Most times he has been shut in are of the shorter 1-3 hour variety, and he goes in to the room willingly, loves his food, and has now started to move his body so the door doesn’t touch him on the way out! He is always happy to see when I return and usually seems sleepy, with toys in their same places.
My problem -
The door lock issue that meant he couldn’t have the run of the house when I am away, will be fixed this week. This means I can leave him in the whole house. However, I think it might bother him to be in the big house without me. I think the small room makes him feel a bit safer? He has only been with me for 2.5 months, and is an 8.5 month old kitten, so not slot of common sense. Lots of jumping on things he shouldn’t and aiming too high and falling from some great heights. Should I keep him in the laundry room, or do I start to let him have the run of the house for the smaller trips out, knowing that eventually I will be returning to work and he will have much longer stints by himself?
Secondly, in about a month I have to go on an overnight trip, so he will be 9.5 months. I will be gone from mid morning to mid afternoon the following day. Should I:
A) put him in a vet kennel/boarding overnight?
B) if the above plan goes well, leave him in the house and have someone come and feed him morning and night?
C) ask friends/family to look after him at their house? (Could be very upsetting for him, change of environment and people)
D) something else? I don’t know any cat sitters, so I can’t do that.
Thank you in advance