Hi all,

I was hoping for some advice or reassurance about arrangements I'm making for my cat to be cared for whilst I'm away on holiday. We're going away for 8 nights next month and I've never left my cat alone at home for this long before; in the past I've always had someone house-sit for me (this isn't an option this time).

She's an outdoor cat who comes-and-goes as she pleases and she'll be visited daily by my mother, who'll feed and water her. Will this be regular enough? I've asked her to visit once per day, but I'm thinking maybe twice per day would be better? I've left her alone for long weekends before, but this will be much longer than that!

Is there anything else I should do to keep her happy whilst I'm away?

Thanks in advance

Would it not be possible to put the cat into a cattery while your away, then you know the cat will be safe and secure...........chris.

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Personally speaking, I would be be inclined to keep your cat indoors whilst you are away. If she has an accident in your absence, your mum may not know this because she's only popping in to feed and then going again. If your mum doesn't see your cat in the time she is there, she may not be aware that there could 'possibly' be an issue.

I understand that your cat may not like being kept indoors but surely it would be better to have a disgruntled cat that is healthy than to run the risk of a cat who 'may' be injured.

I'm not saying that your cat WILL get injured whilst you are on holiday but you've heard of that thing called 'Sods Law'......

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It's possible, but I was under the impression that it would be best to keep them in their home environments as much as possible?

Sorry, that last reply was meant for raggs.

MoggyBaby - this is also an option I can consider. Am I over-thinking by worrying about the effects of being kept in for so long? She loves her freedom!

We have outdoor cats too, but if we ever leave them at home for prolonged periods (eg. holidays when they're booked into the cattery, but then do a Houdini when it's time to take them), we make sure that they stay indoors for the entire duration. Our dog walker/cat sitter comes twice a day to feed them, change their litter, make sure they're ok etc.

I would definitely not be happy knowing they were wandering around outdoors with no real supervision.

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Could your mum not stay? My Scamp doesn't take to catteries, hates being away from home, but my mum, bless her, has agreed to come and live with Scamp for the week, she loves him too I guess I'm lucky as it solves a real problem as usually my son stays at home but he's coming with us this time. I phone the vet and arrange for them to treat him if necessary and send the bill to me, so that mum hasn't got to worry about that side of things. Hope you sort something out

It is possible that something could happen while your away and the cats welfare is very important, it would be far better to let your mom keep him indoors or put him into a cattery then you have peace of mind

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Support Bacteria, its the only culture some people have.

Its far better to keep your mouth shut, and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.!!!!!!!

Age Doesn't Matter Unless Your a Cheese



http://www.glanafonrags.webs.com/

No, I'm afraid Mum has 2 dogs of her own to look after! My cousin used to stay for me, but he's now grown up and got a place of his own in another town.

I'm veering towards keeping her in at the moment. Although she is not going to be happy!

I'm sure you cat (what is her name btw?) would love to continue enjoying her freedom in your absence but as you are not going to be around looking out for her, it really would be better for her to be kept in whlst you are away.

You know her habits and her time-table for coming to the house so you would be very quick to realise that something was not quite right if she didn't turn up for food or if she was off colour when she did. Your mum will not know your cats little foibles and, if she is only popping in to feed and then leave again, she could miss important signs of your cat being out of sorts.

It might p*ss your cat off being kept indoors for 8 days but it certainly WON'T do her any harm.

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