HawthorneVillager.com

Wanted to get as many ideas as possible. Last year when we went on vacation, I took my kitties to my dad's for the week. It was a big mistake! My Larry didn't eat for the week, and was in distress the whole time. It took him a week to recover from that after our return. So we are going away again next month, and I'm going to leave them at home. Do you all have someone just come in to check on them, feed them, give fresh water, etc? Any other ideas? I'm actually having anxiety about this, because my Larry had such a hard time last year, so any other strategies are greatly appreciated!

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Mutt Life
Your Dog Will Dig It!

I am glad you posted this, since we are in a similar situation, and will not go away if we cannot figure out an adequite arrangement for our cat.

Our vet in town recommended Joni's Pet Care: http://www.jonispetcare.ca
I have never used her, but exchanged a few emails, and seems quite understanding of individual situations.

The problem with daily visits is we feed our cat wet food twice daily, and do not want to throw him off his routine.

Best thing we did is get an automated pet feeder. If we go away for a vacation we just need someone to fill the feeder and clean the litter. We can get away for at least 2 days with the feeder and you can set it to whatever interval you want.

I would send your father in everyday to check on the cat, pet him. Plus I would leave the radio or tv on, to help keep some noise in the house.

Cats are fine in an empty home. Just have a friend visit your house once a day to top up the cat food and clean the litter box.

We do it with our cat all the time. So does my sister in law.

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Pain is Temporary Pride is forever

We do the same. Our cats have each other so we have someone come in every other day to refill food/water, clean the litter and play with them for a bit. Usually it's my Mom, or we ask our cleaning company to come make extra visits for a fee (we paid approx. $15 per visit).

Our cats don't eat wet food, though, so I can see that being more difficult to manage.

We are also very fortunate to have some wonderful neighbours who will check on our cat while we are away, and we do the same for their cat during their vacations . We made the mistake a few years ago of bringing our cat to the cottage for the week, thinking it would be "easier on her". It was the worst week, we ended up leaving early. She didn't eat,.. All things you mentioned about taking them out of their environment. Our cat does much better in her own environment even though we aren't there. The stress of missing us is much less than the stress of bringing her elsewhere. Our neighbours visit daily to feed, play, and scoop for her. We get plenty of picture updates too as an added bonus hopefully you have some nice neighbours who can help you out, it'll be easier on your cats.

I think what I'll do is call a couple of these suggestions, and feel it out. Otherwise I'll just alternate days between a couple of family members to come in every day. This is actually really stressing me out, and I'm going to need daily updates

MY PET SITTER PAULINE IS FANTASTIC...

905 699 8982

WE GO AWAY ON LONG WEEKENDS AND HAVE LEFT THE CATS FOR 2 WEEKS WITH HER.

SHE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND A TRUE LIFESAVER.

I GET UPDATES BY TEXT TOO..

GIVE HER A CALL!!!

KELLY

^^ +1 AGREE, PAULINE IS THE BEST.

WE SHOUT HER PRAISES AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY AS WELL. WE COULD NOT BE HAPPIER, GOING ON 4 YEARS NOW.

B&T

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This one thing probably never goes away
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