What to do - holiday and cats.

[Biscuitandacuppa]

I’ve got 3 lovely cats, they have access to a cat flap and are in/out as much as they like. One cat only goes in the front garden, the second spends most time at home but does have a wander about during the day. The third is an independent soul and is often out most of the day only coming home for food/water and to drop off her latest catch (alive usually). However she has been missing for 3 days (very unlike her) and has just walked in the cat flap!

Massive relief for me as I was very worried and had the neighbours looking out for her and been out calling her. She seemed a bit spooked, has had something to eat and then tried to leave straight away again. Fortunately I’d locked the cat flap. She is now on the top of my wardrobes looking rather grumpy.

Problem is I’m going away on Sunday for a week, and usually I’d leave the cat flap unlocked so they have access to food, water and litter tray and my parents visit and spend the afternoon giving them cuddles. But I’m worried if I leave the flap unlocked she’ll disappear again and I’ll spend all holiday worrying about her!

WWYD? Lock it or keep it open?

I’d do whatever you normally do . If you opt for keeping them in do you have 4 litter trays , sufficient litter etc

I'd let her out. She may have learnt her lesson, and it sounds like she'd be miserable stuck inside all week.

If people are coming in to feed them while you are away, just keep to the normal routine as much as possible.

There are plenty of litter trays, they have food and water in 3 places (gravity fed). My parents come to check the water levels and give them some company as they love people.

You are all right, routine should be kept the same, she’d be more stressed at not being able to go out when she wants to. At the moment she’s fast asleep on my bed so seems to have settled down. I’ll open the cat flap later on tonight.