My cat was caught in a Havahart trap as a lone kitten. She's never really gelled with other cats, and she's afraid of all other humans but me. She always hides for the first day of visitors, and after that will only come out occasionally while keeping her distance. She hides whenever anymore comes to the door (even the mailman), and runs from me if she thinks I'm going to try to touch her.
When I went abroad for a workweek this winter, I had her sitter (who knows her hiding spots) come twice to check on her. I didn't bother with more visits because she honestly would prefer not to see the sitter. When I got home, she was a little greasy like she hadn't left her hiding spot all week. Basically, she didn't get any socialization despite the sitter's attempts. Normally when I travel I take her with me - she's good in the car and is fine in new places as long as she doesn't have to be around other people. The drives are usually about 10 hours, with a minimum of two nights at the location in between.
So, my dilemma that I need your help with is: this summer, when I take a nearly-two-week trip that will require three 8-10 hour days of driving each way, do I take her with me, or do I leave her home alone and have the pet sitter come every couple days?
I'd rather take her with me, because I like her company, but I want to do whatever will be best for her. I even considered flying so I could leave her home and be gone for less time, but it would change the nature of the trip, which I don't want to do.
When I went abroad for a workweek this winter, I had her sitter (who knows her hiding spots) come twice to check on her. I didn't bother with more visits because she honestly would prefer not to see the sitter. When I got home, she was a little greasy like she hadn't left her hiding spot all week. Basically, she didn't get any socialization despite the sitter's attempts. Normally when I travel I take her with me - she's good in the car and is fine in new places as long as she doesn't have to be around other people. The drives are usually about 10 hours, with a minimum of two nights at the location in between.
So, my dilemma that I need your help with is: this summer, when I take a nearly-two-week trip that will require three 8-10 hour days of driving each way, do I take her with me, or do I leave her home alone and have the pet sitter come every couple days?
I'd rather take her with me, because I like her company, but I want to do whatever will be best for her. I even considered flying so I could leave her home and be gone for less time, but it would change the nature of the trip, which I don't want to do.