Can I leave my cat by herself at my apartment for few weeks?

Question

I'm going away for 3 weeks and because I'm new to the city, I don't have anyone to look after my cat. she's a year old and I leave in studio apartment. Is it okay to leave my cat alone for 3 weeks totally by herself with enough food, water and toys? Or should I not do that at all? I looked into some pet hotels and hospitals for cat boarding but they are ridiculously expensive. Please give me some advice!! I don't know that much about cat....thanks!

Answer 1

3 weeks is WAY too long, you don't know what could happen in that time! You could totally miscalculate food and water and the cat could starve to death or dehydrate. What about a litter box? If it is not cleaned the cat may start going all over the house. What about a pet sitter? That seems like the best solution if you don't know anyone. You could maybe have them come every other day to check on things to keep costs down. Maybe check with the local youth center in your city...sometimes have teenagers available to do jobs over the summer, thay may be less expensive than a professional sitter.

Answer 2

primary advice: laern something about cats - you have choosen to keep a cat, you need to take that responsibility seriously. Go to the library or search the net.
Secondary advice: no, under no cicumstances is that ok. As others have said your cat could get an injury or knock over it's water and die.
I believe that all animals need to be checked at least every 24 hours.
Besides the cat would be bored and scared to be alone so long. Housesoiling will probably occur - at least when the litterbox (that should have been cleaned daily) gets too nasty to use.
Find someone to check in on your cat every day, pay for boarding , take the cat woth you or find it a new home with someone more responsible.
BTW in my country what you suggest would be illegal and result in legal actions - most likely to result in a heavy fine and loss of right to own animals

Answer 3

Its not a very good idea to leave an indoor pet alone for that long. Even with enough food/water, animals are still prone to the same stir craziness as humans. Also, if something were to happen to the cat during that time (injury, death, etc.) and a neighbor or your landlord were to find out and report it to the authorities, it could qualify as animal cruelty which is a pretty stiff charge in most states. Best to play it safe and board the pet.

Answer 4

Is there any way you could take her with you? You said you just moved, so she must have moved with you too, right? That would cause alot of stress for her and she needs company.
Three weeks is way too long to leave any animal alone, even goldfish.
If you can't take her, do you have relatives or friends (with no dogs) who could take her?
Otherwise, if you really, really have no choice and you want to keep her, baby proof your place by unplugging appliances and tying up all cords, closing the toilet lid, and make sure the thermostat is set low, etc. etc. Leave a radio on with soft music, make sure her potty has a lot of litter, etc. Get at least 4 large automatic feeders-- 2 for water, the other 2 for dry food and get her used to them first. Set extra bowls of food and water out just in case.Try to have someone come by and check on her a few times a week just to see that she's okay.
21 days is a long, long time.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I would not leave her alone that long. She would probably be okay, but she would get really lonely and might go a little nuts and not act like the same cat. I would ask coworkers if someone can cat sit, or look for ads of people who pet sit, they are more affordable. Or look for a neighbor who has teens who can cat sit for extra money. Can you take her with you? Cats r good travelers.

Answer 6

First talk to your apartment manager or a neighborly old lady to check on your cat bi-weekly. If not your vet might watch her or know a cat sitter. Do not leave any animal alone for 3 weeks this is considered animal cruelty and punishable by law.Good luck and what ever it takes find someone to care for your baby.

Answer 7

Think in terms of cat time vs human time. If a cat ages 5 years to 1 human year. Then three weeks human time would be 105 cat days. Get someone to come take care of your cat.

Answer 8

Please don't leave her there by herself! What if she knocked over her water and died of thirst?

Maybe ask a neighbour or friend to look in on her every second day to feed, water and clean her litter tray. Or take her to a friend's or relative's place while you're away. Or just spend the money on the boarding.

If you can't do any of this then it's probably time to find her another home where someone has the time for her.

Answer 9

The major problem will be removing the smell of feces, urine and DEAD CAT from your apartment. It will probably cost you all of your rental deposit.

Why did you get a cat if you were not going to be there to take care of it?

Why not ask a neighbor to help you out? Or someone at work? It might be a good way to begin making new friends.

Answer 10

I used to leave my cat for a minimum of three days at a time - he develop into both an interior and an outdoors cat which solved the muddle tray situation and the exercising/play situation, someone got here round and fed/watered him each day, and that i knew he develop into chuffed and contented. in case your cat had lived at your moms and dads homestead for some months already and he develop into notably chuffed, then i ought to represent leaving him there as you recognize he ought to recognize his way round, he knows your moms and dads, you're certain he ought to be properly cared for, because once you've any thoughts that he may be unhappy with the different cat, or your roommate does no longer somewhat care about him - I defo does no longer leave him there.