Vacation

Question
Hi,
I have three 9-month old cats, 2 males and 1 female, all siblings. They get along together very well, have never had any fights. My husband and I will be leaving for a 7 night cruise for our first anniversary soon. I am very nervous about leaving my cats alone for a full week because I have never left them alone overnight for more than one night. I've bought some automatic (gravity) food and water feeders as well as some extra litter boxes to make sure they have a clean place to go. I am planning on filling the automatic feeders with dry food and fresh water and also putting a few extra bowls of food and water out around the house (that way if they accidentally kick and spill the water feeder, unlikely but just in case, they will have other sources of water). During the week, my husband and I are both gone from 7am-5pm so my cats are somewhat used to only having eachother as company. Do you think I should be so worried? Is there anything else I can do to make sure my cats will be alright during this week? I don't think I could afford a kennel for 3 cats for a full week. And I don't exactly have any cat loving friends... or friends that live close enough to me at all! Please advise... Thank you!

Answer
Tiffany,

Congratulations on your anniversay! Have fun and don't worry about the cats. They will be fine. Just unplug things you won't need. Leave the toilet seat up (with no cleaner or deodorizer in it!) for emergency water.

Make sure no doors to rooms, or cupboards, can accidently close on them locking them in. Buy some new toys to throw around. Like little furry toy mice. And if you really want to ease your guilt about leaving them, get a BIG kitty condo (if you don't already have one) that they can play on.

You DON'T want to leave the cats in a kennel if you can help it. They get traumatized and are exposed to any number of things healthwise. Home is always better. It would be better to have someone check on them at least once, but then too you have the chance of someone letting them out accidently.

There are professional signs (I'm not sure where to get them...maybe PetSmart) that you can put by your doors that say "in case of emergency or fire there are (3) cats inside. Or you can make one.

You may find that they have messed in the house or gotten destructive. Some cats react that way to being left alone. And when you get back they may be under your feet constantly or following you around all the time because they will be insecure that you will leave them again. They will get back to normal in a few days.

Enjoy your trip!

Tabbi