My cat has gone off the deep end!

[Ninabike]

We would leave our two previous cats alone for 3 days when we went to Catalina Island. When we came back, one would go crazy that we were home; the other would just give us a "dirty look" and go back to sleep. That was the cat we locked in the bathroom by accident once for a whole day and when we came home, she just looked up and then went back right back to sleep - in the bathroom. We haven't left our two cunnent cats alone yet. They are quite sensitive. I tell my DH we should board them, but he says that would be more traumatic than if we left them in their own environment with pleanty of food and litter boxes. We haven't decided yet, but our cats pretty much control our lives.

[RolliePollie]

Whew...Miss Claudia seems to be back to normal. Sleeping on her back with her head on the pillow, carrying her "mousie" all around the house, drinking my orange juice this morning, and getting into everything...yup, she's ok now. Poor thing. I guess I really traumatized her

I grew up with outdoor pets, and leaving them home alone for a week or more was just what we did. They never seemed to notice we were gone. But inside pets definitely have a closer relationship with their "mommies." Evidently Claudia is getting more needy as she gets older. At any rate, I won't torture her like this again. Next time I go away, she's getting a cat-sitter!

[RoadRaven]

Ummm... just another thought here... the cat - the one who couldn't care less about you getting home - no chance that cat turns into a mini-dictator when you are not home? You know, "clean a space in the cat-box for me" "bring a nibble from the feeder, I'm too tired to walk" "wipe the toilet seat before I go drink from the bowl"...

No chance fluffy cat is so pleased to see you back because shes sick of being ordered around?

(You know, the way older siblings do to younger ones when parents aren't about)

[jeannierides]

My daughter and family have gone on vacation. I have the "honor" of keeping Junior the Cat while they are gone...

[Tuckervill]

Cutie pie.

I put a lot of empty baskets around my house up high on shelves. The cats love them. None of them sleep in the sink, though.

Karen

[Ninabike]

That's so funny Road Raven. The cat who could care less, "Baby", was the dominant of the two, even though she only weighed half as much. The other one "Sissy", looked exactly like Jeannierides "sink cat", right down to the black spot on her chin.

[MyLitespeed]

My husband and I are retiring at the end of this month. We have three cats and two dogs which haven't been left alone for more then a week at time. Since we plan on doing more traveling, it's going to be VERY painful for me to leave them alone for 2 weeks. We will have a neighbor peek in on them everyday, but since they aren't use to strangers that won't do much good to comfort them. The last time we returned from being away for a week, the cats did much better and it only took them about 1/2 hr. to come out from under the bed and stare at us, making sure it was really us. I won't board them anywhere, I'm afraid that would really freak them out. The dogs I'm not worried about, they love everybody and as long as someone feeds them and pats their heads, they will be happy. I think I will be worse for wear when it comes to leaving my cats.

[mimitabby]

mylitespeed, I ALWAYS am.
to compound it, I had one DIE when i was away for a week.
It sounds so stupid to be away in Italy worrying about my CATS.
but i do.

[teigyr]

My daughter and family have gone on vacation. I have the "honor" of keeping Junior the Cat while they are gone...

CUTE!!!!!! And yes, it is an honor

[teigyr]

Mylitespeed,

Maybe your neighbors can stay a while in your house when they peek in on the cats? Shy cats will sometimes come out if someone gets food for them and then sits calmly and quietly. The cats are lonely, they'll break down to get some attention. When we go away, I feel worse for them because they don't get attention. Food and water are important, granted, but as asocial as some cats can be, they are so social in many other ways.

Mimitabby, I don't know what I'd do if a cat died while I was gone. I guess the only thing you can do is carry on but still, that has got to be so difficult.

[RolliePollie]

Hey Jeannierides - I have a sink cat too!

[ShubieGA]

It really does help the babies to get visited.
My friend "Auntie Jan" comes to see my babies (Stella, Gracie and Tigger) when I am gone for more than the day. She spends a bit of time giving them some loving and treats, on top of the bowl and box check. So I just get the normal close herding and cuddling when I get home. I get escorted everywhere.
Then when Jan is out of town, Auntie Shubie kicks in and I visit her babies. 2 need meds, but have adjusted to me administering them - except Hershey - he hisses at everyone except his Mom!
Sounds like a good "kitty auntie or uncle" is in order!

[jeannierides]

Hey Jeannierides - I have a sink cat too!

Sara, that is TOO funny! Junior is having a grand old time visiting. He has the *run* of the house - and lots of attention from me and my cat loving SO. My daughter's family consists of three very active little kids (6 and twins 4), and a 6 month old Weimaraner who loves to chase Jr., and eat his food, so you can imagine that Jr. thinks he's on a spa vacation!!