I would not leave my cats alone for more than one night without having
someone check on them.  I hired a pet-sitter when I went on vacation last
summer, and it worked beautifully.  The person I used is a professional
pet-sitter, and I was able to check references.  As it turned out, several
different friends of mine have used her, and they all said she is
"fabulous" -- which she is.  I feed my cats twice a day on a twelve-hour
schedule, and she also came twice a day to maintain the same schedule.  She
spent extra time at my house to give the cats some companionship, and she
said she really enjoyed it, too.  She would sit at my kitchen table with her
coffee and watch the birds, she brushed my cats each day, tossed toys around
for them, and used the laser with Holly.  As I said in another message, she
became "me" while I was gone.  I also called her a few times to check up on
them.  My cats were eager to be with me when I returned, but they had
obviously had excellent care.  I had also made arrangements with the vet for
their care, in case an emergency were to arise while I was gone.

I know that many people do leave their cats alone with no problems, but just
think of all the terrible things that could happen if no one checks on them.
If they are left alone, there would not be anyone to notice if any problems
had occurred.  It also gives companionship, and I think that is important
for cats that used to lots of attention.  I was even pleasantly surprised at
the cost because it was much less than I expected.  In fact, I increased
what she asked because I think her services are worth far more than she
asks.

When you look for a pet-sitter, I suggest that you check with your friends
and your veterinarian.  They may be able to recommend someone.  This is much
safer than picking someone out of a newspaper or the telephone directory.

I hope this helps.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

We have had two kitties (not at the same time) which we have always left
alone when we go on vacation... the longest time was 13 days.  My mom always
checks on the kitty daily to clean the litter box, make sure she has enough
food and water, to give her hugs, and make sure she is OK.  The cats have
never seemed to have a problem with it... maybe they were a little more
socialble for a day or two after we got home, but other thean that, no
effects (good or bad) were noticed.

Just my opinion, but I think my cats would be much more traumatized by being
boarded or taken to a different home than being left home alone.

Call your vet and see what they require as far as consent for mediacal care.
My vet needed a signed paper saying they could treat the pets and that we
would be financially responsible should something happen in our absence.

Have fun on your trip!

It greatly depend on your cat's character. Does she's independant or very
affectionate? When you come back home after work, does she comes right at you as soon
as you pass the door? Or does she takes all the time before coming, or wait for you
to come to her?
For some cat, it can be a VERY BIG, even health treatening, deal, for other, a mere
inconveniance.
If you opt for a large reserve of food and water, have some automatic dispencer so
the food will stay fresher and the water clean. See if you can have a friend come a
few times to see if verything is OK.

Alain

Jake Blues nous apporta ses lumieres ainsi en ce 2003/12/18 11:01... :

Lonely? possibly. Scared? I doubt it, at least not for long.

I wouldn't leave them alone without someone checking on them for more
than one night.  Anything can happen.  Water can get knocked over,
they could get sick, etc. etc.
See if you can get someone to stop in every day or every other day
worse case.  Just check on them, make sure they are eating, water
is still full etc.  It would be extra great if they could give them a bit
of quality time but if your cats are anything like mine that would actually
be more traumatic.  I do leave Sasha over night on occasion.  She seems
to notice I was gone...sort of :-)

AG

A week is too long. Two days, tops, is all they should be left alone.

Get a pet sitter - there are professionals who will come into your
home to care for your cat.  Ask your vet for a referral.

-L.

I dont go more than a day in leaving them. If I am away longer I just
have someone (family member or neighbor) pop in for a few minuets to
make sure they are ok, have clean water etc....

Many people here also suggested a professional animal sitter. If a
neighbor or family member cant, I would go with that...

I think bording a cat is risky. URI's are VERY catchy and you may end up
with a sick cat. Not to mention they are in a very unfamiliar setting.

I think the only reason I would board would be if I had a cat who had
medication needs that others may not be very reliable with. (certain
meds NEED to be administered at very precise times)

Again here I would try and go with a professional animal sitter FIRST
though and keep the cats in their own and very familiar surroundings
        

Absolutely not! Whoever told you that is an idiot that should never be
trusted with animals. EVER.

Your best option is to hire a professional petsitter and have them check
on your cat at least once a day. There are some
people that might tell you every other day is ok, but that is not good
advice. I have been a professional petsitter for several years and I
refuse to take jobs where people want me to care for their cats every
other day. The reason I do so is because I have had several instances
where cats have suddenly become ill and would have died if they had to
wait an extra day until someone showed up to check on them.

Your best bet is to call around to vets close to where you live and ask
for a recommendation for a petsitter. Vets have a vested interest in
recommending someone capable and reliable as their reputation is on the
line if the petsitter screws up.

Megan  

                                   

I responded to your message a few days ago.  By coincidence, I had an
experience within the last few days that can serve as a good example of why
our cats (and other pets) should never be left alone for an extended period.

Fortunately, everything turned out well in my case, but here's what happened
this week:  My little cat, Duffy, has been the picture of health.  He is
blind but otherwise an active, playful, joyous cat.  This week -- and
without any prior warning -- he suddenly started to throw up.  He vomited a
meal he had just eaten, and I thought he had eaten too quickly.  But then it
continued -- over an over again, for an entire day.  He threw up
approximately 20 times in a single day.  There was no real residue after the
second time because he also would not or could not eat anything all that
day.  Luckily, I found part of an artificial palm tree on his third attempt
and realized that he had been chewing on it.  The vet gave him an injection
and also gave me a prescription for oral medication for nausea and to help
push any remaining residue on through.  I had to separate him from Holly for
a couple of days so I could watch the litter box carefully to make sure
Duffy was not having any further problems.  (Incidentally, I have also put
my artificial plants on the patio, where they can be ornamental but not will
not injure my furbabies.  I had already given up on live indoor plants for
that same reason.)

Duffy is now fine!  Everything is back to normal, but this was a real scare
for me.  It is also a lesson on how quickly things can go wrong.  This
literally came up without any warning and probably shortly after he had
ingested part of the artificial plant.  It would have been disastrous if
Duffy had been left alone for a few days, as someone suggested that you
could "safely" do.

MaryL