I really appreciate all the opinions here. I will pass on all you said to my sister and let her decide what she should do. I was thinking a new fur buddy as well.
When we travel my cat Bo will lick bald spots on he's belly and legs. He does not do this when I am home. Lucky for us though he's little sister keeps him busy now. And he doesn't do it as much. On our longer trips during the summer though he seems to do it. And I have a long one this summer, gone a month, home 3 days, gone 26 days. They are going to hate me at the end of this summer! I will have to REALLY spoil them when I get home. I opted out of a bike trip at the end of all that for them. my dh is going though, it is my wedding anni presant to him.