I need to go away for a month and I can't take my cat sasha with me, I love her as if she were my daughter, so I have asked a friend to pop in once a day to feed her and change her litter tray.Will she be okay?
2007-01-02 00:26:56 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
http://www.best-cat-tips.com/CatFood.htm ..this site explains about feeding cats - includes frequency, amount fed according to age, daily amount and so on. but of course it is better to ask a professional.
to be safe you could leave your cat at a center that take cares of pets while the owners are away. they'll do a better job.
2007-01-02 01:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by doingmybest 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If you trust that your friend will keep his/her promise to take care of your cat Sasha, then, yes, she will be fine. Cats are very resiliant and independent. Once a day feeding is okay and as long as her litter box is clean there should be no problems. I have travelled quite a bit over the years and used to worry so much about leaving my cat. But, he's 17 years old now, is very happy and contented and in great shape! Try not to worry about your cat and go on your trip with confidence that she will be well looked after. The worst that can happen is that she ignores you for a while for leaving her when you get back!
2007-01-02 00:34:58 · answer #2 · answered by Sophie 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think a month is too long to leave your cat with someone coming in for just a few minutes a day. Even if your friend likes Sasha I think it's quite a lot to expect her to come in every day for a month. She almost certainly won't have time to spend with Sasha. Does your cat have access to outdoors? If she does she could well wander. I really think you should bring her to a cattery where you know she will have company & that she will be properly cared for. Many catteries will give a reduced rate for a long term stay like a month.
2007-01-02 05:55:32 · answer #3 · answered by Caro 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends--you don't specify how old Sasha is, and whether or not she has been left alone prior to this.
Generally, cats suffer MUCH more separation anxiety than do dogs (this is usually nullified if there are "buddy" cats in the household). Boarding should be an option if she is young (under 3 years), or if a prior experience (for any amount of time) had negative behavioral consequences.
I would ALWAYS consider boarding for two reasons:
(1) she will have a continual stream of contact and activity around her that will be comforting if she is the least bit anxious, & (2) when left alone for large amounts of time, animals (and humans) will adjust their behavior to seek out either more contact, or more excitement, and this can mean injury/illness....and unless your friend is a vet/vet tech, situations may arise that cause an impairment to Sasha that could go unrecognized. Also, I would definitely board if she is a pedigree, as some breeds are less "sturdy" than those that are mixed.
If Sasha is in her later years, and spends much time alone, being at home could work if: you leave the TV (or talk radio) playing, your friend is reliable (committed to visiting at the same time every day), and is able to spend at least 20-30 minutes TWICE a day with her.
Years ago I had three cats which I had attempted to leave alone for only 3 or 4 days at a time. In the end, I chose boarding at the vets since not one friend spent the time needed with them. EACH time, I came home to a disaster area of shredded paper or fabric, a well-sprayed bed, and cat "editorials" (excrement) everywhere.
Good Luck!
2007-01-02 01:35:48 · answer #4 · answered by firehorsegirl 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
as long as the friend does this every day. Too many RSPCA prosecutions have happened because the so called friend forgot. What if the animal get sick? Does your friend know which vet to use and will they pay the bill?What will happen if your friend has an accident or gets really sick with flu or something and cannot get out of bed for 2 weeks? Are you prepared to come home to find your pet has starved to death?
For a month I would book the cat into a cattery to ensure it's safety and wellbeing.
2007-01-02 02:42:03 · answer #5 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't see why not my friend gos away from the end of November to the beginning of February every year and i see to her cat as long as the cat is being fed and watered and as access by a cat flap to get in and out as it wants then its far better for it to be in its own home than stuck in a cattery
2007-01-05 09:20:15 · answer #6 · answered by nita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, you love your cat as if she were your daughter, yet, you are prepared to leave her shut up in your house on her own for a month? getting someone to feed her and change her litter tray once a day is laughable! so the poor cat will have hardly any company in all that time! I know cats are solitary animals but they shouldn't be in what will amount to solitary confinement while you are away, do you have a conscience I wonder? Now if your friend could live in your house for that month, that would be a better solution, if they are unable or unwilling to do this then please take your cat to a boarding cattery for the duration!
2007-01-02 02:15:22 · answer #7 · answered by Pawstimes16 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The longest we've ever left our cats along was 10 days.
That was with a friend coming in twice a day to feed, water, clean their litter and play with them.
I really don't think once a day is going to be enough.
Could you find someone to pet sit that would be willing to come and stay at your house for the time your gone.
That would be the best way to go in my opinion, anything but boarding her...that's something I would never do.
Changing a cats enviorment can be very upsetting to them.
I don't think I'd chance leaving the cat on it's on for that long a period of time.
2007-01-02 00:34:42 · answer #8 · answered by gracieandlizzie 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your cat should be fine! If your friend has problems getting by there each day, you may want to look into alternatives.
You can get a continuous feeder and waterer. That will make certain she has more than a couple days worth of food and water. The litterbox does not need to be scooped every day, esp. if it's just one cat. Tidy Cats has a small scoopable litter that does not leave any pet odors in the home. I've used it for awhile and have more than one cat. Also, leave her lots of cat toys to play with, when she gets bored.
Cats are loners, in a way. They love attention, but they also like to be left alone to sleep and whatever.
Just leave a vet number and give them permission for your friend to have your cat treated in an emergency situation. And, just have her pop in to check on her here and there. Before you know it, you'll be home!
Good luck! :)
2007-01-02 00:34:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
She will be fine. It wouldn't hurt for your friend to maybe pop in twice a day. The first time she can switch on the TV so the cat has at least something to hear. When she comes back the second time she can switch off the TV...turn on a light in the kitchen and feed her. When she comes back again in the morning she can turn of the light in the kitchen and turn the TV back on, etc., etc. This keeps movement going in ur place which prevents people from thinking things like "I can rob her." and it also keeps you cat not so lonely. Good luck and have a great trip.
2007-01-02 00:31:25 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Been there....done that. Your cat will be OK. Twice a day would be better, and leave hard food and water for her too, and make sure neighbor stays and gives a bit of loving. Your cat will be
P.O.'d at you for a while when you get back, but a little more attention will get you back in his good graces.
2007-01-02 03:56:50 · answer #11 · answered by Barby 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋