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The litter tray

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Juggling different cats’ needs when going away- help and advice please.

5 replies

Stepcount · 04/02/2023 10:30

I have 3 cats and I need to work out a plan for caring for them as I need to be away for most of two days. This is the first time that my DDs won’t be here to do it.
The difficulty lies in the combination of needs. Dcat1, elderly male, eating constantly. Uses litter tray and cat flap without issue. Dcat2, older female doesn’t use litter tray, always goes outside. Dcat3 2yr old female who uses tray and goes out but has never been out overnight. I have used a reliable person in the past who does this as her business/sideline but not since we have had Dcat3. From previous experience they would come sometime early morning and late afternoon/early evening to feed the cats. The main issue I have is I don’t really want Dcat3 to be out overnight but if access to the cat flap is cut off Dcat2 will struggle as she won’t use the litter tray. Dcat3 could technically be shut in our fairly large kitchen and extension with access to food and litter tray. Dcat2 would then have the run of the house and access to cat flap. Dcat1 could be either with Dcat2 or 3 as long as he has copious amounts of food! I am rather over protective of Dcat3 as we got her after losing one in difficult circumstances. And she’s a real fusspot so leaving her on her own potentially for around 15 hours between visits seems like a challenge. Any thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:
viques · 04/02/2023 12:01

I would have 1 and 3 together with a few timed feeders for wet and dry food. And a litter box.

If 2 s cat flap is on a microchip then I would put them separately with food in a timer or two. I would also leave a litter box in case it pours with rain while you are away. If the cat flap isn’t on a microchip I would lock it closed and tell 2 she has to use a tray.

Stepcount · 04/02/2023 16:19

Thank you @viques. I think as I was typing it out earlier it became clearer that probably keeping 1&3 together overnight and 2 on her own makes the best sense. If it comes to it as long as 3 is in overnight then that would also be fine.

OP posts:
viques · 04/02/2023 17:04

You are welcome. It is always easier to advise other people from a distance I find!!!! 🙂

TemporaryCatSlave · 04/02/2023 17:37

Can you find a paid catsitter to come in during the day/evening and stay for a bit after feeding them?

We got a overnight catsitter (via a company so DBS checked and reference checked) for 3 nights when were away for a longish weekend and TempCat loved it, was so fussed over. It wasn't horrendously expensive - she still went out to look after her 'day clients' but was home a lot. He's quite needy for attention and would be miserable if left alone for a very extended time. Plus he's fussy about a clean litter tray. If you do go with leaving them as above, put down extra trays for the ones that use them.

Stepcount · 05/02/2023 14:07

@TemporaryCatSlave thank you, I will have a Google and see if there is a similar service offered locally. I think when you spend a lot of time with your cats they become more than just pets and not having left no3 on her own as such before it’s a bit like a parent leaving their child for the first time- well kind of !

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