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What to do with cat over Christmas?
My H and I just adopted a cat about a month ago. He is wonderful and has adjusted to our home very well. And just for info he is over 3 years old and declawed. My problem is what to do with him while my H and I are gone around Christmas. He can't come with up bc my parents have a cat who is very territorial and wouldn't take well to having another animal around. Plus it's a 6 hour car ride to my parents and I don't relish the thought of taking him along. Most of our friends are going out of town as well but it might be possible for one of them to stop by while we are gone to check on him. The third option is to board him.
I'm not sure what to do here. If we were to board him he might think we took him back to the shelter, but if we leave him in the house alone for 4 days he may think we abandoned him.
Re: What to do with cat over Christmas?
I honestly think your best bet is to leave him home with plenty of food and water. I know it sounds cruel, but cats are much more independent than dogs. He will sleep and relax, then you will be home in no time. I don't think he will feel abandoned.
If you have a friend or neighbour that will check on him at the halfway mark, leaving him alone should work just fine.
Most cats enjoy some alone time.
This is what we do. Pre-dog, we'd leave our cat alone for up to 5/6 days with food, water and an extra clean litter box.
These days we're lucky to have teenagers living next door that look after them for us (even then, we've not been both gone more than a week).
I worked as a pet sitter for about 10 months, and we were routinely hired to visit cats once a day while their owners were away. I wouldn't recommend leaving cats that long with no one to check on them at least once every 24 hours.
Cats are VERY picky about their litter boxes, and leaving them unscooped for that long is just asking for problems once you get home.
OP please do not leave your cat more than 2 days without someone coming and checking on him. Personally, I'd board my cats if I didn't have someone that could check on them every other day.
ETA: I actually prefer mine to get checked on daily so that I know they have plenty of fresh water and food. If I can't provide that then I board them.
Miles (6 year old Maine C00n mix), Boots (5 year old Lab mix), Darla (4 year old GSD/Collie mix), Frankie (1.5 year old DSH mix), Peanut (15 months old - 09/11), and Bean (arriving Feb 2013).
Miles (6 year old Maine C00n mix), Boots (5 year old Lab mix), Darla (4 year old GSD/Collie mix), Frankie (1.5 year old DSH mix), Peanut (15 months old - 09/11), and Bean (arriving Feb 2013).