How long is acceptable to leave cat?

[Noodlehen]

Hello,
I have a BSH that is a few months over a year. Whenever myself and DH go away we have a cat sitter who comes over twice a day for about 15 mins each time, they come as a couple and one does the cleaning of the litter tray / feeding and the other plays with her. She likes them a lot and isn’t shy with them, which is great.

I haven’t been away for more than 5 days yet. However, we are planning a trip in a few weeks time that we will need to be away for 9 days for.

My cat is an indoor cat- she is quite lazy and usually sleeps most of the day, however she loves a cuddle.

I’m worrying that 9 days is too long to leave her for? We put her in a cattery once and she hated it, didn’t eat and cried for days once she was home so I’d rather not do that again.

has anyone else left their cat at home for that long?

I will leave my cat for 2 nights (with someone visiting/feeding) but any more than that, and she goes to the cattery.

The longest I left my cat for was 3 weeks with a trusted feeder who came in twice a day. He knew her well and was much happier being left in his own enviroment. He’s very much an indoor/ outdoor cat and very bonded to his environment.

We tried a cattery once and it was the worst mistake - never again.

For a longer trip I’d get someone to house and catsit for you, either a friend or someone you pay.

I'm a cat sitter and have looked after cats for a month in their own home. They had two visits a day and were absolutely fine.

Nine days is nothing! Please don't worry.

We regularly leave our cats for two weeks each year with a cat sitter who comes in twice a day. We have one 30 minute and one 15 minute visit so there is time for cuddles in the 30 minute visit. The cats seem to be happy and the sitter sends us videos of them purring and cuddling.

We go away for two weeks at a time with twice daily visits which has worked well and cat is happy enough with that. For longer trips, we ask them to l come longer once a day - at least an hour in the evening when the cat likes cuddling up on the knee. Often university students (friends’ kids) who can bring their gadgets/university work and don’t mind from where they chat/tiktok etc.

I never leave my cats alone other than going to work. I have a friend who moves in whenever I go away. She likes to have a break from her elderly parents and the cats love her.

We normally ask a neighbour, to look after our cats with 2 visits a day, for upto 2 weeks. We do the same for her cats.

We did send them to a cattery for two weeks a couple of years ago. IMO, one of them nearly had a breakdown. He was extremely anxious for months afterwards.

It’s much better to leave them in their own home, which they know and they have far more space ime.

It sounds fine with someone coming in twice a day. We use cattery but sounds like it would be more stressful for your cat than being home alone.

We use trusted housesitters www.trustedhousesitters.com/pages/vacation-pet-sitting-gbp/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleAds_Direct_Search_Brand+Non-Brand_UK_Acquisitions&utm_content=Brand_FullBrand&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqb3Tlea3iAMVpZhQBh0rXwpIEAAYASAAEgI1APD_BwE

You pay a joining fee then it's free. My cat simply wouldn't cope in a cattery and would also be too lonely if we left him alone for long periods. It's always worked out well. The housesitters have been lovely people and my cat's enjoyed their company.

Mine would probably not notice I was gone. As long as she had food and water she would be fine.

Better at home than a cattery. Perhaps the sitters can stay for longer?

We have two cats and have been away for up to 6 weeks. We pay the neighbours’ teenage kids to come in every day to feed, stroke and change the litter. Sometimes one of them will come over with a book or laptop and sit on the couch in case the cats want a cuddle. Cats are always happy to see us come home but don’t show any signs of distress. I think the fact there are two of them makes a difference. I would never send them to a cattery, they feel secure in their own environment.

I have three visits a day for my cats, the middle one just being to play with them.

Thanks for all the responses guys! It should be fine - I also have a friend who said she will
pop in on top of the two daily visits from the sitters.
now we’ve just got to get over me missing her 😂

Cats are connected to places, not people. Maybe get your cat feeder to come in 3 times a day instead of 2 if they can?

Make sure you let the sitter know you'll have someone else doing visits - many won't agree to it for insurance/liability reasons.

She will be fine for 9 days with someone popping in once or twice a day!

Cats would 100% rather be in their own home/own space/own environment for 9 days - and be alone for 95% of the time, than be holed up in a cage in a cattery!

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We have gone away for 2 weeks at a time while using a cat sitter that came twice a day. Have done it several times over the 7 years we've had the cats and they have got to know her.

They are outdoor cats so we also have wee cameras to keep an eye on them just in case they aren't in when the cat sitter visits.

I always take my little girl to my mum and dads when I go away. She absolutely adores being there as they’re both retired so she gets a lot more daytime cuddles and attention. We call it her little holiday home!

However last year I went away with my whole family, Inc parents, so panicked a little over what to do. We got a cat sitter who came twice a day for 20mins for food and cuddles and playing. I was really worried as she is a very friendly cat who loves lots of fussing, but she as absolutely fine. The cat sitter was great and sent me lots of photos and videos. I’m sure my cat much prefers to have people around for more than 40mins a day, however she coped fine with it! I’m sure yours will be fine too for nine days 😊

We have a cat sitter - longest trip was 4 weeks and they were fine. Nice if you can get photos/videos while away.