Leaving Cat Alone For 2 Weeks ):

Meieiei

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I have an unavoidable upcoming work trip in a month, and it is for 2 weeks (13 days)!! My boyfriend will be coming over every 2 day or daily if he can, since there’s a possibility he might get busy too ): There are too many events happening at the same time. I have left her alone for a weekend a couple of times before and she behaved well.

I have an automatic feeder that dispenses food at certain times, and I am planning on leaving several fresh water bowls that my boyfriend will be changing when he comes over. Of course he is going to be taking care of the litter box too.

I am planning on leaving toys and “dirty” clothes of mine for her. I also have a calming pomade that I can smear on her collar and spots she frequents. I have a medium size tropical fish tank that she enjoys to observe, hoping it helps as an entertainment and a monitor camera so I will be talking to her whenever I can.

I have been researching online, and many people are recommending FeliWay products but I can’t find them in my country. I found a calming collar from Sentry and some calming treats from PetNaturals, are these any good? Are there other brands or products that you guys would recommend?

Will she be alright? I am really nervous about her staying alone for such a long time, even if my boyfriend visits her daily she will be staying many hours alone… she sleeps with me every night.

Staying at a cat hotel or with the vet is definitely out of my budget. But we have discussed on whether to leave Navi in my apartment or in his. We think that we might be less anxious and more comfortable in my home, but the advantage in staying over his house is that she will have more company, since my boyfriend have roommates that can play with her. What do you think??
 

pipperoo

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I would not recommend leaving your cat at your boyfriend's place. Cats like familiarity and a new place and new people could be upsetting.

Any chance your boyfriend could move into your place while you are gone? I think the best option is to have someone there. If you don't have the option of having a "housesitter", then your boyfriend coming over daily is the next best bet. I've used friendly neighbours in a pinch, but always prefer to have someone live in if I'm gone for more than a weekend.
 

kittyluv387

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Sounds like a good plan. What about hiring a cat sitter to come on certain days so your bf can take care of his stuff on some days and your kitty can get continuous attention and care? I don't really think a collar is necessary even if you don't have feliway.
 

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Has your kitty ever been to your boyfriend's house? If not, you could have him take her home with him for 2-3 days trial to see how it works for both her and the roommates. If she's comfortable there I think that would be the best solution. If she doesn't settle in well at your boyfriend's then she would be better staying in her own space with him coming in every day or two.
 
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Meieiei

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I would not recommend leaving your cat at your boyfriend's place. Cats like familiarity and a new place and new people could be upsetting.

Any chance your boyfriend could move into your place while you are gone? I think the best option is to have someone there. If you don't have the option of having a "housesitter", then your boyfriend coming over daily is the next best bet. I've used friendly neighbours in a pinch, but always prefer to have someone live in if I'm gone for more than a weekend.
We are thinking that possibility as well but maybe only for weekends since he leaves closer to his school and work. I live farther away but my workplace is close to his house.
 
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Meieiei

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We are thinking that possibility as well but maybe only for weekends since he leaves closer to his school and work. I live farther away but my workplace is close to his house.
And he doesn't own a car.
 
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Meieiei

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Sounds like a good plan. What about hiring a cat sitter to come on certain days so your bf can take care of his stuff on some days and your kitty can get continuous attention and care? I don't really think a collar is necessary even if you don't have feliway.
Pet sitters are not common in here, I envy this perk from the US.
 
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Meieiei

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Has your kitty ever been to your boyfriend's house? If not, you could have him take her home with him for 2-3 days trial to see how it works for both her and the roommates. If she's comfortable there I think that would be the best solution. If she doesn't settle in well at your boyfriend's then she would be better staying in her own space with him coming in every day or two.
No, she hasn't been to his place. It sounds like a good idea!! we can have a trial period, thanks~
 

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I would advise against the calming collar. Some cats have had bad reactions to it and you wouldn't want her to have one with no one around to help. There is also the danger of it getting caught on things. I have used calming treats but didn't notice a huge difference.

As long as your boyfriend is there at least every other day it sounds like she will be okay. I just would let her be alone longer than two days. Although if she can go to his place and is comfortable that could work out better. If you try it, leave her there with him for a weekend to see how she does without you there too.
 

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I would advise against the calming collar. Some cats have had bad reactions to it and you wouldn't want her to have one with no one around to help.
I agree, I actually use the Sentry Calming Collar on Trin for his separation anxiety (he yowls when we leave the room ... or when he leaves the room). It has seemed to really help him out a lot, and I would recommend it normally. However, it is not a break-away collar (even though it says it is) and one look at the Amazon reviews is enough to scare me. Lots of anecdotes of cats getting it stuck in their jaw when they try to escape the collar.

We have had no issues with the collar getting stuck, but the first day we used it we made sure we were home all day so we could monitor him since Trin normally didn't wear a collar. If you decide trying something like that, make sure you can monitor her for a few days at least first.
 

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Hi! The calming products you're mentioning could be ok such as the treats, but as mentioned, what if instead you-all remove/ don't use a collar unless it really is a breakaway, and set up the camera situation so your boyfriend can monitor her while he's not there as well. (Feliway doesn't work for every cat by the way :) ).
I think with your clothes and your boyfriend, your furbaby will be just fine.
 

1 bruce 1

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Ditto on the collar.
I would hesitate using even a sturdy, reliable break-away because my luck is crap and odds are the collars break away would fail if everyone were out of the house.
If you're worried she might escape, make sure she's microchipped and registered or has another form of identification.
I would hesitate moving her back and forth on the weekends. I'd aim for finding a solution and leaving her there the entire time so not to upset her routine.
If he can only pop in every 2 days or so, she might be a little lonely but she'll be home, safe, with food, water, a box, and familiar sights/smells/hiding places, etc.
 
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Meieiei

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I agree, I actually use the Sentry Calming Collar on Trin for his separation anxiety (he yowls when we leave the room ... or when he leaves the room). It has seemed to really help him out a lot, and I would recommend it normally. However, it is not a break-away collar (even though it says it is) and one look at the Amazon reviews is enough to scare me. Lots of anecdotes of cats getting it stuck in their jaw when they try to escape the collar.

We have had no issues with the collar getting stuck, but the first day we used it we made sure we were home all day so we could monitor him since Trin normally didn't wear a collar. If you decide trying something like that, make sure you can monitor her for a few days at least first.
It actually sounds very scary, although she is used to wearing collar, she has one now. Seems like it also cause allergic reactions!!
 
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Meieiei

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Ditto on the collar.
I would hesitate using even a sturdy, reliable break-away because my luck is crap and odds are the collars break away would fail if everyone were out of the house.
If you're worried she might escape, make sure she's microchipped and registered or has another form of identification.
I would hesitate moving her back and forth on the weekends. I'd aim for finding a solution and leaving her there the entire time so not to upset her routine.
If he can only pop in every 2 days or so, she might be a little lonely but she'll be home, safe, with food, water, a box, and familiar sights/smells/hiding places, etc.
Navi is a only interior cat, she has no ways to get outside and has no interest. So yeah, i also think she will be more comfortable at home with my boyfriend visiting her.
 
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