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Post by socrates on Apr 12, 2013 9:55:42 GMT
I have two cats aged about 6 years of age. I've had them for about 5 years: they're mother and son and seem to get on ok. I would like to have a weekend away and would like advice about how long I can keep them locked in. There is a cat flap which they can use but there are two major considerations:
There are two stray cats which force and sometimes smash the cat flap to gain access and then systematically work their way through the house on all floors eating every biscuit or scrap of cat food that they can find.
The local two-legged wildlife have a sport of using cats as footballs when they've been to the pub so I keep the cats in at night to also minimise the risk of them being run over.
Therefore, if I do go away I have to not only lock the cat flap but put two stools, a trolley and 6 tins of paint against the flap to stop the strays getting in. Will I be ok if my two owners are locked in from Friday evening until late Sunday afternoon if I leave several bowls of water, a couple of bowls of wet food and about half-a-dozen bowls of dry Iams for them to eat, with of course, about four clean litter trays? I know that they won't be happy at not being able to go out but they seem to sleep a lot of the time in "their" areas and their safety is paramount.
The questions really are:
Am I ok leaving my two cats for this length of time?
Is the food supply sufficient? If not, what can I do which would be better?
Is there anything else which I can do to make their "imprisonment" less unbearable?
Thank you
Michael
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Post by tonib on Apr 12, 2013 11:44:59 GMT
Welcome to the forum Michael. You should get some advice here. Below are my personal thoughts, I'm sure others will add into my thoughts and/or disagree with me.  I wouldn't say the arrangements are ideal by any means as I think you appreciate. However if it is the only option available to you then lets see what can be done to make their time without you as pleasant as possible. - Have you considered using a cattery?
- Have you got a neighbour/friend/family member that the cats know that could come in once or twice a day and check on them & freshen water, provide food, clean litter trays & give some attention/play/fuss? Another alternative is a cat sitter
- If someone can come in, can you ensure that they can get into your home, if you block the flap, so that the cats can't get out?
- The area that the flap goes into can you shut that off from the rest of your home so that if anything does damage the flap your cats can't get out?
- In terms of feeding have you looked at the timed feeders and water fountains which of course can be used at other times as well
e.g. www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_bowls_feeders/feeders/programmable/30310
www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_bowls_feeders/feeders/programmable/13601
www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_bowls_feeders/dog_feeders/dog_food_dispensers/101941
(I'm not necessarily recommending zooplus as the place to get them or these particular ones just as a demonstration of the sort of thing that is available. I've never used them.
Catit, Drinkwell & Trixie are the brands I know of for water fountains (we have one each from the 1st 2 brands)
If you do choose to go this route then please allow the cats to get used to them first - I wouldn't leave wet food down for that length of time as it goes decidedly horrible & will attract flies etc. However if you use an automatic feeder with the ice packs the servings would be fresh
- Make sure that everything is safe & that they can't hurt themselves. As they are not used to being left they could get a bit of a panic which might make them try to get somewhere they normally don't
- Ensure that they have toys & climbers to play with that don't need human interaction & checking for safety
- Make sure they have places they can go to get away from each other with access to litter & water, & put the litter trays in at least 2 locations. which you probably do anyway
I've run out of thoughts for the moment but hope that helps. |
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Post by gladys on Apr 12, 2013 20:35:24 GMT
I have a very scared rescue cat who goes in to the cattery when we go on holiday for a week or two but if I'm just going to my parents for a night or two I don't want to stress her out so I do leave them at home. It's easy for me as they have kibble so no wet food hanging around and I leave extra litter trays and water bowls. I also leave extra toys and boxes with treats in so they can keep themselves entertained. A neighbor is also told and will check on the house etc. I'm sure people wont think this is a good idea but it works for my cats and I know they are a lot happier at home than just a night or two in the cattery were is then takes them a while to settle again when back home. |
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Post by munchkins on Apr 13, 2013 7:49:12 GMT
In my opinion I wouldn't leave them for that amount of time on their own, what happens if one of them falls wrongly and hurts themselves, I would go for a pet sitter or friend etc to keep an eye on them for you
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Post by heartpawprints on Apr 16, 2013 16:27:52 GMT
I have to say that I agree with munchkins. There are too many variables here and even if, the food / water and safety from external factors were guaranteed, yes, there is the freak accident possibility. In the refuge I volunteer in one of the kittens got frightened by one of the dogs being walked who lurched over to his pen. He fell and now has an ongoing problem with a floating patella. It was a freak occurrence but luckily because of where he is, it was spotted in time to be treated and minimised.
I would see if you could get a friend to pop by or if not, a cattery. I appreciate costs will need to be considered but it will cost you more if there was to be an accident.
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