What do you do with your cats if you need to be away from home?
I'm really wanting to go on a trip this coming summer, but not sure what to do with my two cats. Last time I traveled, I had a friend who came over to check on them and feed them every day..I don't have that option anymore.
What works best? Would two cats be okay at home for a few days (2-3 days)? Or finding a pet sitter? or sending both cats to a pet boarding place?
[question posted by catfever7]
responses and comments:
There are a variety of things you can do although the best would be keeping the cats in their environemnt and having someone come to check on them everyday. If you don't have a friend famiy member or neighbour you can trust to do that, than you can hire a pet sitter. Not sure what the cost would be. Make sure the person is bondable so they won't steal anything from your home. The other option is to bring both cats to a "pet hotel" which is an interesting place full of good food, cat toys, and usually scratching posts, but the cats are virtually locked up in a small room and this might be stressful for them no matter how many toys they have. I'm sure if theyr'e together it will be better for them. Good luck! [Anakata2007]
I totally agree with you. It is quiet a stressful situation if you send them to a pet hotel especially if you cat is an indoor one. Keeping them together however is the best option. It is also better if you can bring with them something from home, that has their scent and yours.. that way they feel you are close to them..and always leave a contact number where you can be reached in an emergency. Cheers! [ladyjava]
When we have traveled in the past, we have hired a neighbor's teenaged daughter to come into our home to feed, water and clean the litter box for our cats. Cats are much more independant than dogs, so they could, theoretically be fine if you were to go away for 2-3 days. I've never felt comfortable with that, as I'm a worrier. Try checking your local newspaper or craiglist for petsitters. I always see ads there. Most of the people that advertise as pet sitters can provide references upon request. [blueskies]
I'm a worrier too :p I don't think I would feel comfortable leaving them alone, although I've heard from others saying that would be fine for a short time..but It just dosen't feel right. I was thinking of checking out craigslist or my local vet to see if there are any reccomended pet sitters. [catfever7]
I get my neighbour to feed my two cats and clean out the litter tray. But as you say you don't have that option anymore so you'll have to either get a sitter or put them in boarding. A sitter would probably be better as the cats will be in a familiar environment = less kitty stress :-) [jwfarrimond]
yep. i think a petsitter is better. well, we don't have boarding houses for pets here in the philippines (as far as i know of). so, pet sitters works well. [maryannemax]
Since you are a worrier I wouldn't leave them alone even if they are independant because you may ruin your vacation by thinking about them being okay. Does your vet board animals? Mine does and I can leave my animals knowing that they have trained professionals to watch them in case anything goes wrong. I have left my cat for a night alone, but he is a very independant cat and one night is nothing to him. I don't know that I would be comfortable leaving him for 2-3 days though because you never know what could happen. I think the cost of boarding is well worth the piece of mind and if the cats are put together they should be more comfortable in a strange place than if they were alone. Hope that helps some. [kerjostalit]
I believe they do board animals at the vet I go too, I'm not sure on the cost, i'll have to check and see how much they charge. That's a great option though..Thanks for the advice! [catfever7]
We usually have someone come in. My parents have boarded their cat when they are going to be gone for long periods. Usually for a couple of days cats can be left alone as long as they have plenty of food, water and litter. If you are worried you might check to see if any kids in the neighborhood will baby sit them. Pay them to come in a couple of times to check on them, give them love etc. If you belong to anything in the community, church for example, they might know of one who would be willing. [emeraldisle]
I too have no one to look after my cats and I can only tell you my experience. When I had one cat if I was going away for only 2 to 3 days I would leave him home with plenty of food and water quite a few bowls (more than he could possibly eat or drink in that time) just in case something happened to me or if he knocked over the water. Now that I have 5 cats I will usually take them with me although 1 of them is a lousy traveler. At one point when I had 2 cats I boarded them when I went away at my vet's, he also does boarding in cat condos. I was told when I returned that Cougar loved it there and would play. Cheetah was nervous and found a corner on a shelf to stay whenever they were let out and obviously was not comfortable there. Now they all come with us. Eventhough they're not fond of the car ride they like it once we get to the hotel. I would suggest if there is anyway you could keep them at home it would be better than boarding because it is a strange place to them with strange people and they may spend the whole time being stressed out about it. [cheetah311]
A cat only hospital..sounds like a cool vet. Thanks for your advice! [catfever7]
Your cats will be fine if its only for a few days, just leave enough food and water down, although most cats can fend for themselves especially if they are outdoor cats. If you have a at flap it will be no problem at all, if you havn't then it is cheaper to get that done now than to place them in a cattery, and much better than having a stranger in your home. [sylvan]
All I can say is be careful who you choose to look after your pets... I have a beagle that is my much-loved travel companion.. she's been everywhere with me, including Mexico, California, Oregon, Colorado, Texas... I always take her everywhere. Two years ago, however, we decided to fly to Missouri for the holidays instead of driving, so we opted to leave her home, along with another dog we had temporarily. I must say that I have been called upon by numerous friends to feed pets/walk dogs when they've been out of town, so I didn't hesitate to ask two different people to look after my dogs. One woman was to care for them the first two days, and another woman the second two days... both of these women were my neighbors. When I got home, there was dog s&%#! and pee all over the floor, and no food or water in their bowls. The house reeked of feces. I was so upset. The fact that my neighbors couldn't even be bothered to let them out in the yard peeved me to no end, especially because I'd fed and cared for both of their pets before. I still take pride in pet-sitting other people's animals, because I love animals... but no longer am I as willing to trust 'friends' with my pets. I believe it's best that they stay in their own home, I'd just be darn sure to pick a trustworthy and kind person. Not to worry you, but I thought I should share my experience, as it was eye-opening. good luck [astromama]
Wow, horrible situation you had to go through..You'd think that your neighbor would have looked after your dog and cat better. Anyway, thanks for the warning and advice! [catfever7]
I tell my sister and enlist her help in coming over and feeding the cats. She's been pretty good about it, and I reciprocated by taking care of her cat. It was a nuisance to drive to her house, but worth it. I'm sure that she felt the same way. In recent years, my sister enlisted my father to help care for her three dogs when she went on cycling trips and visits to Maine. My father loved dogs, especially one, which became his favorite and never left his side before he passed away. [scribe1]
That's awesome you and your sister look after each other's pets hen one of you is away..and that's a sweet story about your dad and one of your sister's dogs. [catfever7]
When we travel, we leave our cat with friends & famiy that way we know he is going to be cared for in the same way he is cared for when he is with us at home. We have not had to use a kennel service as of yet even though we travel a lot and I hope we never have to. [zeloguy]
I would try to get a neighbour , freind or releative to look after my pet cat prisilla . She tends to fret when we go away on a short trip that is why i have someone check on her when we go away !!! It is better to know tha your pet is ok and being feed and had water to drink then for it to go without [traceyleeappel]
Cats usually don't need much at all. If your cats normally eat dry food whenever they want, you can just get one of those self-feeders where the food comes out automatically when the bowl is empty, and you can do the same for water or just leave them a lot of it. If you're going to be gone for more than a few days, just see if someone can check in every other day and just make sure that they have food. As long as your cats aren't kittens and don't have any medical problems, they should be fine. Boarding should be the absolute last option. It can be very stressful and your cats can pick up all sorts of diseases or parasites that was. [FFAgirl_16]
Thanks for the advice..I never thought about possible diseases at a boarding place. [catfever7]
Best place to to send them to a boarding place, leaving cats alone in the home for a few days can be dangerous and could get you arrested (in this country anyway), a pet sitter with experience with cats would also be okay, but a pet boarding place would be best because they will be well fed, looked after, given attention, and know what to do if something goes wrong for a few dollars a day. [xelissa]
i had a friend look after mine a few times when i left for the weekend. And i have also left her home for the weekend by herself. I made sure she had plenty of water,I sat a 2nd bowl out and same for the food I put it in a rather large bowl. I also have a 2nd litter box just in case she fills her usual one. i out one next to it.. my aunt however takes her feline to a pet hotel so to say they board animals. [mkmissey76]
when i go to my dad's place which is located in another city away from my mom and siblings, i always leave my dog with them. i know that they can take well care fo my dog. so, i feel good even when i am away. my boyfriend has a cat. and when he's away, he lives the cat to his friend. he also have some friends who makes him petsit for their cats when they need to travel. he petsits for free but he does not care. he loves pets, too. as for you, go for that trip that you wanna do. but don't leave your cat all alone in your house. he might feel so sad. atleast look for a pet sitter so, your cat will have a good day somehow even when you're away. [maryannemax]
Oh...I think your cats would be okay on the 2-3 days. Just make sure before you leave the house feed them first and put enough water for them to drink while you are away.Feed them extra before you leave so in case they dont finish it they'll have something to eat later on..or maybe have someone feed them if you are not up to my system. [p3halliwel2005]
Thanks for the advice! [catfever7]
they are your friends, don't forgive them [polliandre]
I've left our cat home alone for two days, but I wouldn't want to go three days. Just leave a big bowl of dry food out and lots of things of water (just in case). They are perfectly fine and I think prefer that to a kennel, but if you have to, yes, get them boarded. Most places have a "cats only" room. They pretty much just sleep all day anyway. I'm sure they wouldn't really LIKE it, but at least someone would be watching out for them. Especially if you had cats that needed medications. [jbrowsin66]
Before we get pets, it would be a good idea to have contact with other pet owners so that we could help each other and take care of each others´ animals when needed. Why not start some cooperation with other pet owners, put a message in the local stores or maybe your vet could collect names of people willing to help and get helped with petcare. [buenavida]
Hi, My husband and I are oringally from Virginia and he just retired from the Army, when he was active duty we were in Texas for quite a while then we were in Arkansas for 3 years. On trips "home" I left my cats in the house with extra litter boxes and extra big bowls of food and fresh water. Try getting a couple of automatic feeders and waterers so that it wouldn't take up much room and you'd have more out for them to eat and drink. Extra litter boxes so they won't run out of areas to go in the boxes. It's not a good idea to a boarding place because it will tramatize them terribly not to mention the diseases that places like that can have because of other cats. Also what if the cat gets away from the care giver and gets into a fight with another cat or gets hit by a car.... alot to think about there so no I wouldn't do that. Besides, cats do much better in their own environment rather than some strange place. As for a pet sitter, that's a good idea too as long as the company has a good reputation. Also don't have any hanging toys out just in case because they could get hung up in them while you're gone. That happened to my cat Chopper once and we got rid of them for good. However, have some toys out for them to play with while you're gone. Have fun this summer! [RealDeal]
Thanks for your great tips and advice! [catfever7]
I have two dogs and two cats. When my husband and I travel, we board the dogs at a kennel but leave the cats at home. We almost always have someone check on them and make sure they have enough food. One of my cats is extremely frightened of other people and it would be very stressful on her if she was in a strange environment with strange people. I do worry about them but I know that they are probably fine. I mean, something could happen to them anytime like when I'm at work, out shopping, or visiting friends but I can't stay home all the time. [dreamsoffrance]
One of my cats is extremely frightened of other people too, that's why I'd like to keep them at home if possible. It sounds like they should be fine for the 2-3 days I'm gone. Thanks for the advice! [catfever7]
i don't allow my pets when i have to travel. because that's will disturb me, and i don't want that happen to me. [banditwsj]
You still didn't answer the question where do you leave your pets when you travel. [kevkentis]
If you can bring them well thats would be better you just have to bring all their needs like food, vitamins and diapers if it is a long travel and also if you can not bring them go to the petshop and ask if you can leave your pets there and pay the fee for it. [pinayako_norieann]
Normally i would get my sis to come over everyday and feed the cats and clear the litter tray. She will also spend some time playing with them. [angelagomes77]
I have 3 cats and they do just fine with a HUGE bowl filled with food and the bathtub dripping water (So they get fresh water)They just hang out I make sure that the door to rooms I dont want them in are shut and there is some sound in the house radio/tv on low works just fine. I left them home for 5 days this way and they were fine but very happy to see me when I got home. [mommyin2006]
Thanks for your advice and tips! [catfever7]
hi well i too had this problem.... i had single cat.... when we go out we will leave him in neighbour's home.... Fine two cats are there right... you can leave them at home itself... they themselves look after each one.... if u have any problem in leaving at home tell your neighbour to take care of it... [naveen85]
I usually leave my pets with my mother as she knows them better than anyone else. Whenever i leave them with anyone else i get very worried and keep calling to find out if they are alright. [kevkentis]
the best way is feeding the cats with your friends.now you have no friend in side .i thought you can use a man who like cats to feeding your cat ,and you paid some money for him.if that is come true again,i thought you only can make enough food and water in the place where the cats get by self.but if you do that may be your room will be confusion [langhua]
A few years ago, when my mother was very ill and in her last months of life. I had to make a decision about my animals. I decided to board them, and what I did was I investigated several boarding places and check out of the facility for friendly, kind, workers, compentent doctors, how flexible they were to Romeo's needs. How clean and organized was the places etc. I wanted make sure that Romeo got special attention at least 2x a day, he needed to have his own bedding and I wanted a large enought space for him to "live" in. I find a great place to board him. While I was away he had some problems but they called right away. And they also tolerated me calling every week to check up on him. Now my sister-in-law uses a pet sitting services and loves it. I would maybe leave Romeo alone for a night but not 2-3 days, just my opinion. Best of luck and best wishes. [OOHCUTE2340]
I have a dalmatian. I will send her to my friend's home if I have to go on a trip. [wjc0123]
I have my neighbors, who also have a cat, take care of my cats. [rogue13xmen13]
Pets are just like our family members if you really love them and to leave a pet in someone's custody is just as difficult as leaving a member of family with someone else. WE just have to make sure that the peron whom we give the custody of our pet loves the pet or at least does not hate it or your pet will suffer while you are away or even run away. [pranaydharmale]
i think sending pet to pet boarding place is better http://www.ProPaideMail.com/pages/index.php?refid=bommimahesh you can get 50 dollars just by get a email.so friends start my friend showed me a proof,i personelly dont have idea but he showed me welcome sign up mylink:www.freewebs.com/mylotmoney [whattobegood000]
It is better if you find a pet boarding place. In my opinion, it is not good to bother other people of things like even if they have agreed to pet sit your cats or dogs. It is still disturbance of their time. [neon2000]
Many people say that it is ok to leave cats alone at home for short periods of time but I honestly think that it is better if you can have someone come and check on them once in awhile. I mean if you leave them alone you don't know if they have spilled their water right after you left and will now be out of water until you get home, you also don't know if they went exploring and got stuck or hurt and it could be to late by the time that you get home. For me my cat is just like my kids. I have used the teenager next door many times to take care of my animals and paid her a little for it each time. The last few times that we went away she was also gone so we hired a petsitter who would come to our home and care for them. I made sure that I interviewed each and everyone of them and made sure that they were bonded that way if anything was to come up missing it would be covered. Anyhow we had good luck the last two times that we had to use the petsitter so that is now our way of doing things. [cwgrlsarefun]
i think the best way is to just keep a pet sitter...or rather jus keep ur cat at sum friends place if she likes cats... [neha_rulzdaworld]
I think we can tell a friend to take care of pets when we travel I think this way is very good.If no one take care of it ,it will very sad. [heroHYIP]
Well since this year we would all be gone on our way to visit relatives, we figure we'd take them to the vet and let them stay there for a while, at the same time giving them a full complete check up. It would be a four day, 3 or 4 night stay, depending on what time we come home on the 4th day. We can't trust our neighbors for fear they might do something to them since most of them don't like cats. [omega007]
Are your cats indoor/outdoor cats? If so, you could install a cat window in your own window and they can go in and out freely. Otherwise just leave plenty of litter out and fill thier food dish real full. If they run out of water they can always use the toilet. this is our solution! [getnbuy]
i keep them at my friends or relatives place and ask them to;look after the pets [waseem04068061]
When we are leaving the house for a vacation, we usually leave our pets in the house. We leave them food an dentrust them with our housekeeper in order for them to starve while we are out. We don't send them to the pet sitter because it is too costly. [katan22]
it wud be btr if u handle them to ur frds.... [vamshi20]
i love my pets all.. it s shows a kind to respect the owenners i keep my pets safe in the car were we travel anywhere,, and it will be safed when we reached there.. [citizenvin]
i suggest when you are traveling you can hand over your pets to your good neighbours this way you can be tension free and enjoy the traveling. but if you are living in a joint family then there is no such problem. [abhishekkaushik]
ehm why don't you leave it to your friend who love cats too and don't go on a trip this summer. [erique]
Well when I was living in England and we would go on holiday too Portugal,my dad would take our cat to a place that was like a hotel for pets,that was many years ago and I dont know if there are still places like that!! [Tynnac]
hmmm pets should not be with us they should be at home ,cause while traveling they disturbs alot and this all,i mean traveling is a such a scary thing for them so they should be tyed some where during traveling...that's all u have to do [gaagan101]
When we leave our home for a trip out of town or somewhere else, we hire a pet sitter for our dogs. Animal clinics here in the Philippines are good pet sitters too. Mostly, we send our pets there, and then pick them up once we get home. [pearl1003]
hi catfever this is vijay ,i thing your pets is keep in the rented or tenent house or that too good but in my thing that is good but i dont know because i had dog name is santro that dog is very quite i never bring it to me that the true in this is busy life that very very good to keep in the tenent house thats better i thing so okkkkkkkk bii [vijay_blax]
If you have ways of hte cats being fed and have water while you are are, and start with a clean litter box, I see no reason for them to be home alone. If you do not like that option, see if there is a neighbor (or a neighborhood kid) who wouldn't mind popping in once or twice a day. As payment pick up a nice gift while away. [CRiley27]
I have left my cats for 4 days. That is what is so great about cats. With food and water and a litter tray, they are fine for a few days. More than 5 days, I would board them. [pollyandry]
Or hire a sitter. [pollyandry]
u must leave them with someone who is trustworthy and with the responsbility of the pets safety [sandaday]
I suggest you send your two cats to a pet boarding place. Once I was on a trip and left my cat alone in home and prepared some foods for him...But when I returned to home, I am so sad that I can't find my pet in my home..It was lost. So in order not to lose your pet and receive some professionl care to your pet, you'd better send your pet to a boarding place.. [randyequal]
I think you could leave cats for 2 days, but no more. I would leave an extra litter box so they have more places to go, because cats hate a dirty litter box. Also extra food and water bowls, of course. Last summer we left our cats at a kennel. We felt bad, but we were gone a week. It cost about $100 each and they seemed fine with it. The other option is a neighbor that you trust, but I always feel funny asking a neighbor to clean the kitty litter. [awonderfullife]
pets do not mind oour absence for a few days so it is best to have a pet sitter than sending them to a pet boarding place [sandaday]
When we are going to a long trip away from home my mom usually ask my aunt to watch and feed our dog for a while. It's best if you have a care taker in your home who will watch and take care of your pets. [primecrimson]
As long as your cats are healthy and you have multiple litter boxes, they should be okay by themselves for 2 - 3 days if you leave them plenty of dry food and water. If they have a medical condition that requires wet food or medication, you could always hire a pet sitter. We hire one for our 3 cats and 3 dogs every time we travel. She comes by once a day and feeds the animals, scoops the litter boxes, and gets the mail. [ChewySpree]
I think they should be okay at home if you're only going to be gone for 2 to 3 days. Why don't you buy one of those feeders that have a timer and drops food every certain time, I think they are great. [marief2rnurse]
If you have friends around, who don't mind looking after them, you can leave it with them. Else, you can leave them in pet specialty centers which take care of them at a nominal charge. But, you need to be careful when you select such a place and cross check about their reputation. You wouldn't want the pets to suffer at any cost. [dragontester]
I think there are shelters that take in cats while their owners are away for a vacation. Leaving your cat to the neighbor is also a good way to promote camaradery. [charmedguyp1]
You just send ur cat to the pet boarding place..i also have a dog in my house and last vacation i used to go to my native place,at that time gave the pets to my friend and he take care of that... [tarun05]
We can leave them to do a gaurdian so they will be safe. But we must be sure that they are feeded properly and they are harmless if we left them to gaurdian. I havent any experince like that anyway thanks for creating this blog beacuse I have learnt someting from the reponses to this blog. [protezione]
whenever i go outside i give my resposibility of my pets to my servants with a lo of guidelines.on abroad i i also take the information by call to servants. [pandeydeependra]
if possible pets are with me if not then leave in pet house [datir1]
you can seek care takers to look after the pets when you are away [aps_shankar]
I have a cat and sometimes I have to go out of town and this is what i do..I leave my cat a nice clean litter box,he knows where it is at..I have an automatic feeder,you can get at any store and a automatic water container...I am usually gone for only a week,but when I get back there is plenty of food and water left..As long as your cats have a chair or anything to lounge on they will be fine...since you have 2 cats,you should leave 2 litter boxes and a little more food,the water container will last 2 cats for at least a week..maybe longer but i am never gone longer than a week..My cat does fine and he has toys to play with...Cats are sort of lazy anyway all they do is eat,drink and sleep and use the litter,that is my cat thats all he does...he gets lonely but it don,t hurt him..He is happy when i get home,i just hold him and give him some kindness and hes fine.If you worry about company you can leave th radio on with some soft music.. [slickcut]
When we travel by car we take our 3 chihuahuas when we travel by bus,train or plane we have a friend ....a dog animal lover who takes care of them and June probably takes better care of them when we are gone then we do when we have them and are home Good Luck Have a Great Day [maddy37]
why not take it with u... :P anyway..ask a friend or your aunt of urs to help watch it over 2 days would be ok..Pay them so they will be willing to help.. :P [Decarus]
I leave town in the summer for a week at a time and I leave my two cats home alone. I set up 3 cat boxes and a monster bowl of water and food. When I get home they are just fine and are so happy to see me. The house smells like cat boxes because I am not home to clean it but it goes away pretty fast. [ineedaname]
Well, I am very lucky. My oldest friend lives quite near to me, and she is in an apartment where she cannot have pets, but she loves them very much. So when we go away, she is more than happy to move into my house for a week, to look after the cats, and to keep an ee on the house and garden as well! I think cats are better in their own environment, if you have a neighbour who can be trueted to come in night and morning with food and fresh water. [rosie_123]
The last time we went on a 2-week-long vacation we spent $500 to keep out 2 cats at a kitty spa in the San Francisco Bay Area. They were kept in a big cage together and were let out most of the day to socialize with the other cats, play with the toys or sleep in their little hiding areas like cat tents and whatnot. They also bathed and groomed the cats once a week. When we leave for the weekend we leave them at home with their automatic waterer and feeder and a fresh litter box. When we got home they were fine and the litter box wasn't too bad. They acted like they didn't even miss us lol. [not4me]
i dont have pets, but my friends who have pets generally take their pets with them or leave them with their vet, who has a pet-care service..... [rahuldmhatre]
It used to be when we went away on vacation, Rascal would go stay with Grandma. But now Grandma doesn't like watching him as much now because he is getting older and harder to take care of. So the amount of trips we can take now is very limited. We try to take him with us, but that is hard too. With his potty accidents & trying to do things while having him. [Penguinsangel]