Leaving kitten at home while on vacation

Question
Hi there.  I'm going on vacation in November.  My kitten will be 9 months old at that time.  I'll be gone for 4 days.  I'm not sure what to do with my kitten while I'm gone.  As I see it, here are my two options:

1) Leave him at home and have a friend come over once a day to play with him, snuggle with him, shake his automatic feeder and give him fresh water.  He might be lonely, but he'll be in his own territory.

2) Take him to my parent's house.  They have a huge house and 2 cats, one of which is just 1 month older than mine.  They like to play, but I'm worried that he might get overwhelmed or stressed out.  He'd have company, but wouldn't be at home and might be scared.

I would love your advice on this matter.  I just can't decide what would be best for him!

Thanks,
Megan

Answer
Megan,

Home is always better in my opinion.

Taking him to your parents house for 4 days would cause him to have separation anxiety, plus the stresses of a change in routine, a change in people, and a change in animals, and a change in homes all at once. He will have fun playing, then when he's ready to go home...he can't. That may confuse him. Then about the time he tries to get used to things and get a new routine, then you will come get him.

If you do leave him home, maybe leave the radio on very low on a talk show so the silence doesn't overwhelm him and he is comforted by voices.

When you get home he will probably be under your feet and follow you everywhere for a few days because he is scared you will leave him again. Give him LOTS of attention, affection, reassurance, and kitty treats. He will settle back down when he sees that you are not going to leave him again and when he get back into his routine.

He should be fine at home, especially with someone checking on him.

Carol