I'm going away for a week and leaving my cat and small dog at home. I have a pet sitter coming twice a day for walks and feeding but they're still going to be alone for much of the time. Unfortunately, I don't really have anyone else in the area that could take them. The last time I put them in the kennel, my dog came back fat and I really don't like the idea of them being in cages for that long. Is there any way to make the time alone easier for them? It breaks my heart to leave them but there is absolutely no way to take them with me. Thanks for your help!
2007-01-15 06:13:21 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Leave a televison on with people talking and music, such as a 24 hour movie channel. Telephone them a couple of times every day and whistle and call them and be loud and cheerful and say sweet nothings to them over the answering machine. Leave a bright light on in the room they spend most of their time sleeping in. Pets get scared of the dark when their owners are gone. Leave an item of your clothing, like a soft pair of sweats that you have WORN and has your scent in them for them to sleep on and cuddle on.
2007-01-15 06:26:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For your dog, I would make use of a Kong (could be stuffed with different things such as dog treats, meats, peanut butter). Your pet sitter could give it to him/her a couple of different days. If you're worried about adding weight, just cut down on his regular food or look for things low in calories to stuff in it. Another wonderful toy is the Buster Cube (comes in two sizes, I think). I would have the pet sitter put his breakfast (if it's kibble) into the cube. You dog will then have to roll it around and make the food fall out. Will take a little bit of training for your dog to understand how it works. My dogs (3 labs) love theirs and will chase it all around the house, rolling it around until the food is all gone - really stimulating toy.
As for your cat, perhaps some new catnip toys - something it would like, but has not had a chance to become bored with.
I think others have suggested the TV and/or radio. Which are other good suggestions. Maybe get the bird watching video that's advertised for pets or a cassette tape with birds singing? Your pet sitter could put it in before she left in the morning.
I would also check around the area or your church for a teenager or two who could stay at your house. I have a brother and sister who are very reliable. Their mother still has a tight rein on them and they only live down the street. The kids are happy to get away from home and have a little independence and yet they know their mother is watching them.
Good luck.
2007-01-15 15:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by MJ 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're willing to pay extra, most pet sitters will actually sit and stay with the pets (separate from just the walks and changing food and water). For an extra fee, perhaps you can have the pet sitter stay overnight once or twice throughout that week - it costs about $50-$60 for an overnight stay of around 10 hours. If you get 2 of the overnight stays spaced evenly throughout that week, the pets shouldn't get too lonely.
I would also consider having the sitter take both animals to get groomed one day - it usually takes a few hours to do this, so they will be around people during the day.
2007-01-15 14:24:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel. When my husband and I leave to go visit my side of the family we have to leave our cats and dogs here at home and I feel so bad because they are like our own children but my father in law and mother in law come and take care of them while we are gone. There's not much you can do. All you can do is give them love and make sure they have food and water. It's hard to leave your animals when you go on trips but give them extra love when you get hom to show them how much you missed them.
2007-01-15 14:18:36 · answer #4 · answered by Irish Girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
put the dog to sleep and sell the cat on ebay!!!!
lol...joking....try asking the sitter to take them to the park for regular exersise...they will be very happy like that
2007-01-15 14:23:31 · answer #5 · answered by ▐▀▀▼▀▀▌ ►۩BaM۩ ◄ ▐▄▄▲▄▄▌ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give them lots of toys to play with, and they should be fine. My animals keep each other company while we are away and they are fine when we get back.
2007-01-15 14:17:54 · answer #6 · answered by icequeen406 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Isnt there any way you could take one of them with you?? If you can pick the cat - the dog I feel may be more reliable..
2007-01-15 14:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by Lynne 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
bring them to a kettle.
2007-01-15 14:37:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋