Cat advice

[ItsVegasTime]

Kind of random.. but I am hoping some experienced cat owners can chime in.

I've never really had a cat, I've always been a dog person. Our sweet 8 year old Saint Bernard passed away a year ago and I haven't been up to getting a new pet yet. Recently I decided to rescue a cat from the shelter, as I missed having a pet to love on but my heart just wasn't ready for another dog.

Anyway, a month ago I rescued a 2 year old girl from the shelter and she has adjusted well to our family and is fitting right in.

We have a trip coming up to Vegas on Nov 10th, and its my first time traveling with a cat at home. We will be gone 4 nights. Most things I read tell me that if the cat is left with a clean litter box, and a feeder for food and water she should be fine.

I'm not only worried about her getting lonely but about her getting into some sort of trouble like stuck somewhere or something. I am going to be having my brother come every day (hopefully) or every other day (at a minimum) to check on her. I've thought about having her boarded but I'm afraid since we only got her a month ago, bringing her to yet another new environment might stress her out. I think she will be happiest staying home since she's finally adjusted and feels safe and secure here.

So anyways... are there any tips you can offer me for leaving her? I'm thinking of investing in a self cleaning litter box and automatic feeder, are there any brands anyone can recommend? My mom keeps telling me that the cat probably cares less if we are here or not and she will be fine and I'm worrying for nothing. But it seems like the cat likes when we are home, she follows me around, and even lays on the couch when we are gone by the window and when she sees us pull into the driveway she meets us at the door. I hate for her to feel abandoned again.

 

[greekjim]

Cats don't get stuck, trust me, I use to take my cat to my parent's house the first couple times I went to vegas, but after the hassle of getting her into the carrier and dropping her off at an unfamiliar place I just leave her home now and have my sister stop by everyday.

 

[justdeb]

we have 2 cats. when we travel, we have a friend stop by twice a day to feed them etc. They are outside cats during the day,so when they eat their 2nd meal, in they go.
(i'm the type that leaves the tv on for them LOL)

 

[SH0CK]

When I had a cat and depending on the length of a trip, I would just leave him a few bowls of food, huge bowl of water along with a clean litter box and let him have free reign of the house.

If I was gone for a week of so, I would have a family member come by the house to check on him a few times. Even as anti-social as he was, he would get lonely while I was gone and cling to whoever came by or when I would came home. For 4 days and considering you haven't had her for that long, it might not hurt to have someone come by every day or 2 to spend a little time with her in her current surroundings. And, of course, leave some clothing or something with your scent on it where she normally sleeps.

 

[Frankr163]

I have left my cats alone for up to 5 days without any problems.
I put out a couple of extra litter boxes, self serving food feeders and water feeders. And they are fine.
As to getting in anything, I always make sure my dresser drawers are fully closed before I leave. They LOVE crawling in open drawers and have gotten stuck behind them in the past.
Just be prepared for the cold cat shoulder for a day or so when you return.

 

[Sonya]

I have left my own cats as long as 3 nights/4 days. When I used to pet-sit, I had a lady that wanted me to come 3x a day. But she had a few old cats who craved the attention and I have a grumpy boy who would rather people not be in his house

I think a visit every day or every other day is a good idea because things do happen. And I second the idea to leave some of your worn clothing around for her. Maybe an old sweatshirt or something in case she decides to seek revenge.

 

[cmani]

First off, I'm very sorry for the loss of your Saint Bernard.

We go on casino trips that typically take 3-5 days and we always leave our four indoor cats (ages 10-14) at home. Our parents come by once a day to feed them and scoop the litter. About 3 years ago we wised up and installed wireless camera partly for security reasons, but also to keep tabs on the kitties. We discovered that if they miss us, they certainly don't show it! They pretty much sleep all day until about 3:00 when they know someone's coming to feed them. They get their fill and it's back to sleep. It's a hard life!

 

[Multifarious5]

I've always had cats, and ADORE my not-so-little guy, Vladimir. The beauty of cats is they do fine alone.

1) I always make sure doors are propped open, so they can't accidentally lock themselves in a room.

2) PLENTY of food and water. I also leave a little (water, not food), in the bathtub, just in case. My cat eats "cafeteria-style" (any time he likes). If you feed at specific times, they have timed dispensers, but those share me if they glitch. Just let him/her gorge herself on THEIR vacation.

3) Multiple cat litters.

4) I leave on a couple light timers. I know, cats can see in the dark, but I can also eat bird food...it doesn't mean I want to.

5) if you can have someone stop by once every couple of days, it's a major plus. But our Vegas trips are 10 days, so we DO need a pop in for him. Even then though, often he looks at them like "yes, and you are here WHY?" Dogs you can't leave alone, but cats do fine if you plan properly...very low maintence.

6) give lots of attention when home. Vladie HATES Vegas, he knows when the suitcase comes out, it spells trouble. He gets extta, extra attention once I'm back. (And he's already spoiled rotten.)

Ps I am so sorry about your Saint Bernard. I know you gave him/her an amazing home with many amazing years!

 

[ItsVegasTime]

I'm so glad I posted, you guys have given me some great advice, and reassurance. I never would have thought of propping the doors open! I can totally see her locking herself in a room also, so I am so glad that was mentioned!

 

[gambler]

I leave on a couple light timers. I know, cats can see in the dark, but I can also eat bird food...it doesn't mean I want to.

So true! Along with light timers to simulate normalcy, I also leave the radio on. Fairly loud. Our 2 cats are used to noise during the day. They can find somewhere dark and quiet to bury their head if they want to.

Usually I leave the cats for 4 days or less but once left them for 10 days when we went to Hawaii. We left bowls and bowls of food and water. Boxes and boxes of kitty litter. A friend to visit for at least an hour, Monday to Friday.

We came home to a friend who said he never saw them once. Typical cat.

Cats do give you the cold shoulder for a couple days once you come home but I've come to realize it's because you've disturbed their peace and quiet during what they thought was an endless holiday.

Enjoy your trip and don't worry about the cat. They are hardy

 

[Jerseyguy]

Leave cat toys,have someone at least every other day to refresh food and water ,dont get upset if kitty gives you the cold shoulder when you return for a while they're devious suckers.

 

[shellieshoe]

If you have a gas stove with knobs on the front - take off the knobs.
Earlier this year we were gone for about an two hours and one of our cats with big feet jumped down and somehow turned the burner on.

 

[merlin]

For a 4 day trip your cat will be fine, I would have someone come over once( after 2 days), to put out fresh water and clean up the litterbox, if he fills that bugger up he might just want to find a cleaner place to go, and you dont want that.

 

[deansrobinson]

As a signatory to the Robinson-Snow Livestock Reciprocity Agreement of 2004, I can attest that the 'stop by and check on them (it)' policy is fine. I check on Hillary's cats twice per day for feeding and making sure the water is changed. Never any problem, especially as cats tend not to be rambunctious animals anyway. It has been my experience that they are less 'needy' (is that the right word?) compared to dogs, so it will be YOU missing the cat more than the cat pining for you (not meant as a slight or anything, it's just how they rule their domain).

 

[LolaDoggie]

We've got 3 cats now and the neighbour comes in every day for them when we're gone. Just do some cat proofing before you leave. Maybe get a new special toy or something. My guys have those toys that dispense treats for example. Maybe do a sweep of "the underneaths" and pull out all the toys that got under there. I think a single cat gets more bored or lonely than 2 or more cats would. You might find a dry turd some place as a little kitty f/u. But, nothing horrible. Maybe put an extra litter box out. I switched to sifting litter boxes so they're easier to deal with both for us and my neighbour. We used to have a dog and never got another one after she died. Cats are easier.

 

[Vegas Erica]

I didn't read all the other replies but I've been in the same situation.

Yes, your cat will get lonely esp if by herself. Maybe have someone come check on her in the middle of your trip and give her some love and treats?

The self cleaning litter boxes are awesome. We had our first one (liter robot) for 5 years and just bought the newest version. It will save you from cleaning the liter box every other day and save on liter. With our two cats, we have to empty the tray every 4 days

 

[Vegas Erica]

If you have a gas stove with knobs on the front - take off the knobs.
Earlier this year we were gone for about an two hours and one of our cats with big feet jumped down and somehow turned the burner on.

That is crazy!!!

 

[bubbakitty]

We have the electronic ignition propane range. They can light it up just strolling by. It surprised him as much as us

 

[chantellevegas]

I have 4 cats. Always have been and always will be a cat person, hands down the most amusing companions to have!

I travel a lot and leave my 4 boys at home. I have a friend or family member come once a day (or every 2nd day) just to top up their water and make sure they didn't burn the place down. Otherwise I just leave a couple of bowls out, or one of those food dispensers that will refill when it's empty and water. i have left them alone for 4 days without anyone checking and they were just fine. Their litter got a little rank, but they didn't mess up the place too much. I have an extra bedroom in the house so I confine them to that when no one can check on them every day. Might be an idea for you if you are worried about the kind of stove you have or something like that. Otherwise the worst they do is open some cupboards, maybe scratch the couch, but mostly they just lay around waiting for you to get home.

to each their own and i'm not looking to argue about it, but i won't ever recommend letting your cat outdoors, especially while you're away.

 

[justdeb]

to each their own and i'm not looking to argue about it, but i won't ever recommend letting your cat outdoors, especially while you're away.

you can set your watch to my cats. Same time every day for 10 years they show up just before dark to be put inside and eat. they are extremely food motivated.