How long is too long to leave a cat alone?
April 24, 2017 4:17 PM Subscribe
I will be traveling for 8 days. I'm worried about leaving my cat alone as she is very attached to me...
My daughter and I are going on a road trip for 8 days and she thinks I'm crazy for worrying. I can leave out food and water for the cat as she doesn't gorge herself so I'm not too worried about that....if I have someone check on her she will hide or hiss at the person as she really doesn't like anyone else. Does anyone have any advice? I'm new to the cat thing as this used to be my daughters cat....the cat became really attached to me(ow) lol when she moved away.
I guess I'm just worried about her mental well being, I know they get lonely.
My daughter and I are going on a road trip for 8 days and she thinks I'm crazy for worrying. I can leave out food and water for the cat as she doesn't gorge herself so I'm not too worried about that....if I have someone check on her she will hide or hiss at the person as she really doesn't like anyone else. Does anyone have any advice? I'm new to the cat thing as this used to be my daughters cat....the cat became really attached to me(ow) lol when she moved away.
I guess I'm just worried about her mental well being, I know they get lonely.
Not an expert, just have owned multiple cats. Eight days is way too long for the cat to be totally alone IMO. Yes, of course the cat will hiss and hide when the cat sitter comes in, but at least she'll know that she's not completely alone in the world. And what if an unlikely thing happens, like the water spills? I think you need to have someone come in once a day or so, coo to your kitty, change water and food, clean the litter and go.
posted by flourpot at 4:22 PM on April 24, 2017 [75 favorites]
posted by flourpot at 4:22 PM on April 24, 2017 [75 favorites]
Yeah, I'm on Team Cats Are Low Maintenance and I would still have someone check on my cat every day and clean the litter box, regardless of whether she hates all other humans. She needs to know she's not alone in the world and she's helpless if the water spills or she decides to gorge herself for the first time ever, etc.
When I would cat sit, I would just sit quietly in the room for a while even if the cat wasn't interested, and maybe talk gently a bit before leaving.
posted by purple_bird at 4:26 PM on April 24, 2017 [17 favorites]
When I would cat sit, I would just sit quietly in the room for a while even if the cat wasn't interested, and maybe talk gently a bit before leaving.
posted by purple_bird at 4:26 PM on April 24, 2017 [17 favorites]
Eight days is too long without a sitter, even if the sitter never interacts with the cat directly. In addition to scooping litter (eight days without scooped litter may result in the cat utilizing...less desirable locations for their business), the sitter can make sure that the cat hasn't done something destructive out of boredom.
posted by thomas j wise at 4:29 PM on April 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by thomas j wise at 4:29 PM on April 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
My parents have the most fraidy-cat alive and they have someone come in every day when they are gone. The litter box gets cleaned and the cat is told he's a pretty boy and is loved. He doesn't come out from under the bed, but he still gets told that.
Rumor has it that the cat sitter briefly saw the cat during one of her visits, but I do not find this story credible.
Definitely get the cat sitter.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 4:33 PM on April 24, 2017 [9 favorites]
Rumor has it that the cat sitter briefly saw the cat during one of her visits, but I do not find this story credible.
Definitely get the cat sitter.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 4:33 PM on April 24, 2017 [9 favorites]
I have someone come in every other day.
Also, not to freak you out, but one of my cats was totally fine when I left to go to work in the morning and needed emergency vet care when I got home that evening. He had a blood clot. So things can happen fast.
I use glass kitchen loaf pans for water. Cats can't knock them over, though if I'm gone a long time, I put out two just in case.
posted by FencingGal at 4:33 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, not to freak you out, but one of my cats was totally fine when I left to go to work in the morning and needed emergency vet care when I got home that evening. He had a blood clot. So things can happen fast.
I use glass kitchen loaf pans for water. Cats can't knock them over, though if I'm gone a long time, I put out two just in case.
posted by FencingGal at 4:33 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
Eight days is a long time to be alone. Your cat will be very bored and stressed from the change in routine, and will probably start destroying stuff and puking (or worse).
When I just had 2 older cats, I had someone come in every 3 days to refill food, give them clean water, and maintain the litterbox. (Now in addition to those two, I have a kitten, who will eat ALL THE FOOD, so someone has to come by every day.)
posted by AFABulous at 4:33 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
When I just had 2 older cats, I had someone come in every 3 days to refill food, give them clean water, and maintain the litterbox. (Now in addition to those two, I have a kitten, who will eat ALL THE FOOD, so someone has to come by every day.)
posted by AFABulous at 4:33 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
A good pet sitter will also email or text you every day and let you know everything's fine, which goes a long way toward reducing the worry about them being home alone.
posted by something something at 4:36 PM on April 24, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by something something at 4:36 PM on April 24, 2017 [6 favorites]
Our sitter comes twice a day, and plays with our little guy so he gets some interaction. Eight days is way, way too long.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
Cat sitter every day for my felines, and I had a cat that no one thought really existed.
posted by oflinkey at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by oflinkey at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have left my cat alone for up to ~48 hours at a time (weekend trip, 2 nights but we didn't get back super late). I wouldn't stretch it any longer than that.
posted by serelliya at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2017
posted by serelliya at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2017
I would worry about something going wrong. The cat may be anxious or distressed or sick or knock over her water dish, or if you have an electric water fountain, what if the power goes out or it breaks? Loneliness aside, someone should look in on your cat to make sure nothing material is wrong. You would never, ever forgive yourself if something happened.
posted by Frowner at 5:03 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Frowner at 5:03 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
I got paid to cat-sit a ghost cat: I came in every day, changed the water, scooped the litter, checked the food. I was expressly asked to sit and watch tv for at least an hour so that even this ghost cat (whom I never saw) wouldn't feel completely abandoned. Don't leave your cat alone for 8 days, even if it hates people.
posted by TwoStride at 5:09 PM on April 24, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by TwoStride at 5:09 PM on April 24, 2017 [32 favorites]
We have 2 cats. When we go away we have someone check on them once every 3 days to scoop the litter and refresh the water and food. We leave an extra water dish out and (gross) the toilet seats up, just in case. 8 days is way too long but a daily check seems like too much, unless there are health issues.
posted by misseva at 5:12 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by misseva at 5:12 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have two cats whom I adore. I have left them for 8 days. I put out a huge amount of food in a tray. I put out a huge amount of water, at least 3 gallons in different containers. They have each other. I have noticed that cats have a short attention span. The first few days, you won't be missed. After a while I am sure it is a disturbing new normal.
Try it this time, and see how your kitty does. When my cats have been separated by vet stays over one thing or another, they act like they do not know each other after three days, and have to reacquaint themselves. One kitty alone, that is pretty quiet. Have two large, cat boxes. And do not worry.
If you have a friend who would come in once, that would be plenty, and probably not necessary.
posted by Oyéah at 5:21 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Try it this time, and see how your kitty does. When my cats have been separated by vet stays over one thing or another, they act like they do not know each other after three days, and have to reacquaint themselves. One kitty alone, that is pretty quiet. Have two large, cat boxes. And do not worry.
If you have a friend who would come in once, that would be plenty, and probably not necessary.
posted by Oyéah at 5:21 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
In addition to having someone come over, and, ideally, spend time with the cat (we always encourage cat sitters to do laundry if it's convenient for them / they don't happen to have washer/dryers, and leave snacks and cool puzzles and/or books to look at), you might:
- leave a radio playing softly;
- make sure there's somewhere for the cat to relax comfortably that's near a window they can watch birds/nature/slow traffic from;
- provide good hiding places where the cat feels safe (so, establish these places well before you leave, and discourage strangers from disturbing them) to make it less likely the cat will feel compelled to try to escape.
If you have an inexperienced cat sitter (i.e., a neighbor rather than a professional), make sure you give them lots of instruction about your cat and how to be a good cat visitor. Maybe ask them over for tea before your trip to get the cat used to them a little, and make _sure_ they know that it's important to leave the cat alone if she's nervous. Do not compel the cat.
If they are good at playing with the cat, then that would be great for her, but only if _she_ wants to come out and chase things. Make sure the sitter knows not to poke sticks/toys into the hiding place in an attempt to get her to come out.
posted by amtho at 5:26 PM on April 24, 2017
- leave a radio playing softly;
- make sure there's somewhere for the cat to relax comfortably that's near a window they can watch birds/nature/slow traffic from;
- provide good hiding places where the cat feels safe (so, establish these places well before you leave, and discourage strangers from disturbing them) to make it less likely the cat will feel compelled to try to escape.
If you have an inexperienced cat sitter (i.e., a neighbor rather than a professional), make sure you give them lots of instruction about your cat and how to be a good cat visitor. Maybe ask them over for tea before your trip to get the cat used to them a little, and make _sure_ they know that it's important to leave the cat alone if she's nervous. Do not compel the cat.
If they are good at playing with the cat, then that would be great for her, but only if _she_ wants to come out and chase things. Make sure the sitter knows not to poke sticks/toys into the hiding place in an attempt to get her to come out.
posted by amtho at 5:26 PM on April 24, 2017
The longest I've ever left cats alone was during a three day/two night trip--and that's the absolute longest I'd ever go without having someone come in. Any longer than that and I have someone stop by every other day, and that's always seemed just right. I can't even imagine what the litter box situation would be like after 8 days--even with a self-cleaning box, things can break, etc.
posted by bookmammal at 5:27 PM on April 24, 2017
posted by bookmammal at 5:27 PM on April 24, 2017
Personally I'd have someone check in at least once every other day, if for no other reason than to make sure everythings okay and scoop the litter. For our cat, we have someone check in once/day when we're gone (friends if we can manage it, otherwise we pay for a pet sitting service) and it's always worked pretty well.
posted by photo guy at 5:31 PM on April 24, 2017
posted by photo guy at 5:31 PM on April 24, 2017
8 days? No way. Longest is a weekend. Even if the sitter never sees the cat, they're primarily there to put out fresh food and water, scoop the litter box, and verify nothing's gone wrong with the house.
I mean, I miiiight (but probably not) consider it if i had one of those self cleaning litter boxes, pet cams all over the house I could watch from anywhere, and someone else with keys i could call to check on the cats if anything looked wonky or the power/internet went out. But really, at that point you may as well have someone check in every day or so anyway. (Full disclosure -- I have the above *and* someone come in every day, but thats me, i'd admittedly over cautious, and I would never, ever ever forgive myself if something happened.)
posted by cgg at 5:32 PM on April 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
I mean, I miiiight (but probably not) consider it if i had one of those self cleaning litter boxes, pet cams all over the house I could watch from anywhere, and someone else with keys i could call to check on the cats if anything looked wonky or the power/internet went out. But really, at that point you may as well have someone check in every day or so anyway. (Full disclosure -- I have the above *and* someone come in every day, but thats me, i'd admittedly over cautious, and I would never, ever ever forgive myself if something happened.)
posted by cgg at 5:32 PM on April 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
I wasn't going to bother answering, since everybody seemed to be on the same page, but since somebody's saying to go ahead and try it, I'm going to add my voice to the chorus: we have two cats who get along fine and aren't normally needy, but we would never in a million years leave them alone for eight days, or even half that. Don't do it.
posted by languagehat at 5:43 PM on April 24, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 5:43 PM on April 24, 2017 [6 favorites]
If you've got a neighbor or a friend with a cat, they might be happy to visit your kitty if you promise to visit theirs at some future time when they're traveling. That's what we do with our neighbors. If they can hang out for a bit during each visit that's great, but even a quick drop-by would be okay. As a bonus, they could collect your mail, water plants, and/or bring in papers or flyers from your porch (which can be a sign that you're out of town).
posted by lisa g at 5:48 PM on April 24, 2017
posted by lisa g at 5:48 PM on April 24, 2017
My antisocial cat who would never come out when people besides me were in the house totally came out for cat sitters. They'd always be like "oh he's such a cuddly sweetie" which blew my mind. YMMV
posted by hungrytiger at 5:49 PM on April 24, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by hungrytiger at 5:49 PM on April 24, 2017 [4 favorites]
Three nights was always my limit when my cats were healthy early-mid adults. And I had two unabashed guest-lovers and one shy hisser but even the shy hisser, the sitters would say, would at least slink in and peek at them a little bit.
I don't think animals have a tremendously good sense of time - I think there is "some minutes" and then there is "this is has it has always been and always shall be" and when you get home they burn off their residual trauma and mostly return back to the "always been/shall be" of normal life. But they do need checking on, cats can knock things over and bite things and burn houses down and spray shit everywhere and knock over all their water dishes somehow, and your house can do unexpected things while you're gone as well - wiring, climate control, plumbing, burglars - so I think every other day at least is a smart solution, and if nothing else your cat has a clean box and water and no fires or burglars.
There may be a period of retribution when you get home, and they may suffer some loneliness, but a cat with a home and food and general care is still miles better off than a street cat even if they don't realize it.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:50 PM on April 24, 2017
I don't think animals have a tremendously good sense of time - I think there is "some minutes" and then there is "this is has it has always been and always shall be" and when you get home they burn off their residual trauma and mostly return back to the "always been/shall be" of normal life. But they do need checking on, cats can knock things over and bite things and burn houses down and spray shit everywhere and knock over all their water dishes somehow, and your house can do unexpected things while you're gone as well - wiring, climate control, plumbing, burglars - so I think every other day at least is a smart solution, and if nothing else your cat has a clean box and water and no fires or burglars.
There may be a period of retribution when you get home, and they may suffer some loneliness, but a cat with a home and food and general care is still miles better off than a street cat even if they don't realize it.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:50 PM on April 24, 2017
We've left our indoor/outdoor cat Oona for a single night, stocked with extra water and food bowls. When we returned, we pulled into the driveway to find her sitting on top of the car that remained in the driveway while we were gone. Anything longer than one night, we've had a sitter come in every evening to give her fresh water, wet food for the night and a new bowl of dry food for the next morning. I just returned from paying the neighbor girl who watched her, in fact.
Eight days is far too long to let your cat go without some attention.
posted by emelenjr at 6:11 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Eight days is far too long to let your cat go without some attention.
posted by emelenjr at 6:11 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Our extremely social kitty is noticeably happier the more often he hosts visitors while we're out of town, so he gets attention every day from at least one of his human buddies (there's the official cat sitter, and then there's various friends with keys to our place who drop by to hang out with him however often they feel like it, just because we're gone). This is a cat who has introduced us to new neighbors he met before we did, just to give you a sense of how outgoing and interactive he is.
Anyway, the point of my story is that Rupert wasn't always this way. Originally feral, he bonded to us, hard, but it was through the experience of having lots of attentive cat sitters back when both of us were traveling a lot for work that made him decide maybe other people were ok too. I think he became a social animal because he met other people who treated him well at a time when he needed them.
In the early days we made sure to have the cat sitter visit so he could see that we trusted her and I think that helped. We also called the house and talked to him via the answering machine after noticing that he always responded to hearing our voices on playback. We hoped he would know we hadn't forgotten or abandoned him. We may be crazy.
TL;DR Catsitters can help your cat become his/her best self.
posted by carmicha at 6:40 PM on April 24, 2017 [9 favorites]
Anyway, the point of my story is that Rupert wasn't always this way. Originally feral, he bonded to us, hard, but it was through the experience of having lots of attentive cat sitters back when both of us were traveling a lot for work that made him decide maybe other people were ok too. I think he became a social animal because he met other people who treated him well at a time when he needed them.
In the early days we made sure to have the cat sitter visit so he could see that we trusted her and I think that helped. We also called the house and talked to him via the answering machine after noticing that he always responded to hearing our voices on playback. We hoped he would know we hadn't forgotten or abandoned him. We may be crazy.
TL;DR Catsitters can help your cat become his/her best self.
posted by carmicha at 6:40 PM on April 24, 2017 [9 favorites]
+1 that more than about 48 hours alone is just a little too long for a cat. I've left not-needy cats that long, and they clearly missed me.
Much longer and I fear disturbed peeing would be a thing, and thats a problem you want to avoid at all costs, since it spirals out of control real quick.
Two or three check up visits would be the minium I'd say, but if you know someone local who could stop by twice a day, your cat might appreciate it, even if cat is never spotted.
posted by Jacen at 7:05 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Much longer and I fear disturbed peeing would be a thing, and thats a problem you want to avoid at all costs, since it spirals out of control real quick.
Two or three check up visits would be the minium I'd say, but if you know someone local who could stop by twice a day, your cat might appreciate it, even if cat is never spotted.
posted by Jacen at 7:05 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
if I have someone check on her she will hide or hiss at the person as she really doesn't like anyone else
I've had cats all my life, and sat other's cats many times, including skittish scaredy cats. Cats are generally well disposed to those who care for them, especially if they come to associate a person with food and comfort. (The only cats I've never seen warm up to a sitter were honestly mentally ill.)
You might be surprised at what happens by the end of a week with the right sitter. Your cat might well make a new friend.
posted by bonehead at 7:06 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've had cats all my life, and sat other's cats many times, including skittish scaredy cats. Cats are generally well disposed to those who care for them, especially if they come to associate a person with food and comfort. (The only cats I've never seen warm up to a sitter were honestly mentally ill.)
You might be surprised at what happens by the end of a week with the right sitter. Your cat might well make a new friend.
posted by bonehead at 7:06 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
2 cats; have done 3 days fine. Multiple litter boxes, water pans. These are cats who handle it well; not young. Mostly agree with Lyn Never. And I don't think a day or two low rations is a problem. Can't imagine trying more than 4.
posted by lathrop at 7:20 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by lathrop at 7:20 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Even with a sitter you might come home from a long trip to pee on all the beds and couches :-( (close at least one door so you can collapse somewhere at 3 am)
posted by meepmeow at 7:37 PM on April 24, 2017
posted by meepmeow at 7:37 PM on April 24, 2017
I have done three nights with multiple cats, but that is my max. I have a sitter in every other day usually, and make sure to leave 5+ bowls of water and the toilet bowl open.
posted by jeather at 7:40 PM on April 24, 2017
posted by jeather at 7:40 PM on April 24, 2017
I have left my cats alone for up to 3 nights. They were perfectly safe, but definitely unhappy on our return. There were behavior changes that lasted for several days. On top of which, the male cat sprayed the driver's side windshield of my car to express his displeasure with me.
I would not leave a cat alone for 8 days. Please get a sitter.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:42 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would not leave a cat alone for 8 days. Please get a sitter.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:42 PM on April 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Please please please get someone to at least pop their head in every day. They don't have to be best buddies with the cat, just make sure everything looks ok. Many years ago my family went out of the country for a week and left our 13 y/o cat at home who was in otherwise decent health for an older cat, with someone checking in on her every day. We got a call from the sitter in the middle of the week that the cat got extremely ill, was taken to the vet, and we made the decision to have the sitter put her down. Not saying this will happen to your cat but when things go bad, they can go bad fast, and if it does you want someone there who can help.
posted by Orca at 8:19 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Orca at 8:19 PM on April 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
2 days is fine. I think 3 days is bumping up against the edge of unacceptable for a cat.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:07 PM on April 24, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:07 PM on April 24, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yes, absolutely get someone to check in on the cat, a minimum of every other day, ideally every day. (Personally, I would do twice a day, but I'm a really overprotective and paranoid cat lady.) Aside from all the other great reasons mentioned above, in stressful situations, cats may go off their food, and more than 72 hours without food is really, really bad. You want someone to check in and see if the kitty is eating. It's also worth having a back up plan for if kitty does go off of their food. (Special treat wet food? Back up can of tuna? Something like that.)
And I wouldn't worry about whether or not the cat makes friends with the cat sitter. Even if the cat hides from the sitter the whole time, it's worth it to have someone make sure kitty is eating, has plenty of fresh water, doesn't seem to be in distress, and clean out the litter box. Plus, as a bonus, it's always good to have someone there to pick up any mail and bring it inside and just generally make sure your house is in okay shape.
It also doesn't have to be a fancy cat sitting service. I've totally done this kind of thing for friends because yay kitties. Although if you want someone to check in daily, you probably actually need to pay them, unless you have a next door neighbor who can help out.
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:12 PM on April 24, 2017
And I wouldn't worry about whether or not the cat makes friends with the cat sitter. Even if the cat hides from the sitter the whole time, it's worth it to have someone make sure kitty is eating, has plenty of fresh water, doesn't seem to be in distress, and clean out the litter box. Plus, as a bonus, it's always good to have someone there to pick up any mail and bring it inside and just generally make sure your house is in okay shape.
It also doesn't have to be a fancy cat sitting service. I've totally done this kind of thing for friends because yay kitties. Although if you want someone to check in daily, you probably actually need to pay them, unless you have a next door neighbor who can help out.
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:12 PM on April 24, 2017
BTW, fatty liver disease is the big risk from not eating.
I would also make sure your sitter has the info for your vet (numbers to call, location, etc) and also the nearest emergency vet, just in case. You also may want to go over what you would want them to do if there is an emergency and they can't reach you.
I don't want to freak you out. I'm sure your cat will be totally fine. And one of the great things about having a sitter is that they can send you reassuring updates so that you know everything is fine with your kitty.
Oh, and since you said you worry about her mental well being, I wouldn't be as concerned about that. Your kitty will probably be a bit lonely, and may or may not do some damage out of retribution, but she should be fine. Cats do like company, but they can also get by on their own. Just don't be surprised if kitty seems clingy or standoffish when you get back (some cats will want to punish you for leaving them alone).
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:17 PM on April 24, 2017
I would also make sure your sitter has the info for your vet (numbers to call, location, etc) and also the nearest emergency vet, just in case. You also may want to go over what you would want them to do if there is an emergency and they can't reach you.
I don't want to freak you out. I'm sure your cat will be totally fine. And one of the great things about having a sitter is that they can send you reassuring updates so that you know everything is fine with your kitty.
Oh, and since you said you worry about her mental well being, I wouldn't be as concerned about that. Your kitty will probably be a bit lonely, and may or may not do some damage out of retribution, but she should be fine. Cats do like company, but they can also get by on their own. Just don't be surprised if kitty seems clingy or standoffish when you get back (some cats will want to punish you for leaving them alone).
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:17 PM on April 24, 2017
Is your cat an indoor cat? If so, and I hate to pile on, but you definitely need a sitter.
I went on a 9-day vacation once. I left out food and water and hired a pet sitter. The pet sitter flaked out (and lied to me about flaking out! They emailed to say everything was fine!). The stress of the full litter box and the no-contact was really terrible for my cat -- she ate all the food I left out, possibly in one stressed-out day, and then ended up with fatty liver disease. She died a year later.
Basically, leaving my cat alone for 9 days killed her. Please do not let this happen to your cat.
posted by AmandaA at 6:55 AM on April 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
I went on a 9-day vacation once. I left out food and water and hired a pet sitter. The pet sitter flaked out (and lied to me about flaking out! They emailed to say everything was fine!). The stress of the full litter box and the no-contact was really terrible for my cat -- she ate all the food I left out, possibly in one stressed-out day, and then ended up with fatty liver disease. She died a year later.
Basically, leaving my cat alone for 9 days killed her. Please do not let this happen to your cat.
posted by AmandaA at 6:55 AM on April 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, Team "No Cat Should Be Alone For 8 Days" here.
Even if your cat hates people, having someone come in every other day and do the litter, check food and make sure there is clean water, and at least try to see that the cat is alive is the best option. Having the person watch TV in your house for a little while will help the cat feel less like she's been left totally alone.
Leave a radio on - NPR is great for this, nice soothing human voices.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:24 AM on April 25, 2017
Even if your cat hates people, having someone come in every other day and do the litter, check food and make sure there is clean water, and at least try to see that the cat is alive is the best option. Having the person watch TV in your house for a little while will help the cat feel less like she's been left totally alone.
Leave a radio on - NPR is great for this, nice soothing human voices.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:24 AM on April 25, 2017
Best answer: Have someone come check every other day, clean the litterbox, and check the water and food, and refill as necessary.
posted by vivzan at 10:04 AM on April 25, 2017
posted by vivzan at 10:04 AM on April 25, 2017
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posted by kellyblah at 4:20 PM on April 24, 2017 [9 favorites]