- Joined
- Jan 17, 2022
- Messages
- 7
- Purraise
- 6
Things are still unfolding, but it looks like I will need to go out of town for at least 2, and possibly 3 weeks. I am freaking out a little because I have two cats, and I've never been away from them even overnight before, much less for this long a time.
Ideally I could leave them somewhere where they would be able to have daily interactions and playtime with other cats and people; however, this kind of arrangement is out of my price range.
My neighbor has kindly volunteered to take care of them for me, even though his free time is quite limited. It could be a challenge just finding time for basic care things like food/water and litterbox, much less hanging out for playtime or anything like that.
Adding to my concern is the fact that my cats are true 'fraidy cats' when it comes to any other people in the house ~ one of them, Skeech, literally growls just like a dog when he hears anyone outside the door (which is actually quite funny, since I didn't think cats could even make that kind of vocalization). And then they both make a mad dash to go hide under the bed, not coming out again until it's 'all clear' and any visitors have left.
I've tried to acclimate them before when this neighbor has been inside, but it's proved to be a non-starter since they just won't stick around. So I would really like to hear from anyone that's been away from your cat(s) for a few weeks or more and had a similar arrangement with a friend or neighbor to take care of them ~ If this person didn't really interact with the cat(s) at all when they were there, how did they react when you returned? I have this fear that they will treat me like a stranger after not seeing me for that long... My heart would break a little or maybe a lot if Skeech growled at me when I got back. I really don't even want to think about it.
One last thing I'll throw out there. I've noticed lately that sometimes when I've had to be away from the house for a longer period of time during the day, that when I return the cats seem to engage in more aggressive 'horseplay' / roughhousing. Sometimes this has resulted in strident yelps of pain on the part of one or the other of them, and I'm wondering at this point if they could seriously injure each other.
I'm just really frustrated about what to do because I know it would be better for them not to be on their own for so long, but there doesn't seem to be any way around this situation.
Ideally I could leave them somewhere where they would be able to have daily interactions and playtime with other cats and people; however, this kind of arrangement is out of my price range.
My neighbor has kindly volunteered to take care of them for me, even though his free time is quite limited. It could be a challenge just finding time for basic care things like food/water and litterbox, much less hanging out for playtime or anything like that.
Adding to my concern is the fact that my cats are true 'fraidy cats' when it comes to any other people in the house ~ one of them, Skeech, literally growls just like a dog when he hears anyone outside the door (which is actually quite funny, since I didn't think cats could even make that kind of vocalization). And then they both make a mad dash to go hide under the bed, not coming out again until it's 'all clear' and any visitors have left.
I've tried to acclimate them before when this neighbor has been inside, but it's proved to be a non-starter since they just won't stick around. So I would really like to hear from anyone that's been away from your cat(s) for a few weeks or more and had a similar arrangement with a friend or neighbor to take care of them ~ If this person didn't really interact with the cat(s) at all when they were there, how did they react when you returned? I have this fear that they will treat me like a stranger after not seeing me for that long... My heart would break a little or maybe a lot if Skeech growled at me when I got back. I really don't even want to think about it.
One last thing I'll throw out there. I've noticed lately that sometimes when I've had to be away from the house for a longer period of time during the day, that when I return the cats seem to engage in more aggressive 'horseplay' / roughhousing. Sometimes this has resulted in strident yelps of pain on the part of one or the other of them, and I'm wondering at this point if they could seriously injure each other.
I'm just really frustrated about what to do because I know it would be better for them not to be on their own for so long, but there doesn't seem to be any way around this situation.