Going away for 4 ish days.. kittens home alone for the 1st time

MrsH8611

So we have our neighbor coming over to change the water/feed the cats, but they are just shy- big ole babies.

They have never been left alone for more than 8 hours since we have had them (total about 1 year- had them since about 3 months old) and I feel horrible. We didnt have time to make any other arrangements seeing how it is a last minute funeral we have to fly home for tomorrow (Montana to Illinois where all our family is).

I was wondering if anyone has ever used the automatic feeders/water bowls before. Did you pefer them when having to leave your furr kids? Did you come home to floaties in the bowl? (One of our cats are insanely messy).

Are your cats more like dogs in the sense they get depsressed when you leave? I know cats are loners by nature, but one of ours is definitly a dog on the side. He needs attention 24/7 and never wants to be left alone. He is insanley spoiled. The other could give a crap less. But they both have stranger danger issues. Someone even walks into the entry way of the house that isn't me or my husband and they are under  the bed for the next 24 hours...

tips?

ramcheer55

I was so sad to leave my cat when we went on our honeymoon last year.  We had only had her for about 4 months and I was so worried about her.  My MIL came over to change her litter and give food and water.  My cat is very social and my MIL loves cats so she would spend some extra time with her playing and talking to her so she wasn't too lonely.  I think she actually slept most of the time anyways.  She was totally fine.   However, my husband and I went away for a few days earlier this year and my MIL came over to feed her and said that she hadn't touched her food.  We have gone away a few times now and she doesn't eat much of her food while we're gone.  It really concerns me because I feel bad thinking that she's home alone and hungry but I figure if she's hungry enough she'll eat eventually and she's kinda chunky so she'll survive.  I think it will be fine...I'm sure they'll miss you but that makes coming home and snuggling with them that much better!

cs026a

We leave ours on a semi regular basis (I'd say 6-8 times/year at least), for trips lasting 1-5 nights. For longer trips we do have someone come check on them daily. For 1 night though, they're on their own usually. 

They have always seemed happy and just a little needy when we get home. They want attention and head scratches, but after a few minutes that first day back they head down for a nap!

Leave them plenty of water and food, and in several different locations. I know you're having someone check on them - but what if your sitter can't make it for a day, has car trouble, or bad weather? What if your sitter suddenly can't come the entire time?

I leave food/water in several different rooms, and also toys hidden everyone. I leave cat treats hiding placing as well. They also have a "treat ball" thing that I fill with food, and they have to work to get it out. I leave water/food in ANY room they could somehow find themselves locked in - but then again, my kitties are naughty and get themselves in some crazy places. One time I couldn't find one, and she had somehow crawled under my sink (opened the door I assume?), and chewed her way into the wall behind the cabinet (it was a rented apartment, a small piece of wood probably less than 1/4 inch think made up the inside of the cabinet). She was stuck in the wall area meowing for hours, until she finally made her way out. 

I'm sure they'll be fine, especially with a daily visitor!