Leaving your cat for a week

[AladdinSane]

We're going away for a weekend soon and I feel exactly the same I feel like I'm abandoning my child haha.

I did feel better though when I read once that cats don't really have a concept of time - they won't even realise that you've been gone for ages. I don't know how true that it but I'm using it to make me feel better
We did leave them for a few days last year and when we got back it was like they had no idea we'd been gone - they came and said hi like they always do when we come in the door but nothing excessive that would suggest they missed us.
We've only ever left ours when we've been away in the UK. I don't know how I would cope in another country!!!

 

[Berty]

Hi all, sorry to jump on your post but I'm after some advice.
So, I have a cat, KitKat, she's 20 months old shes an indoor, outdoor cat dependant on her mood.
My neighbour bought a dog about 12 months ago and her cat moved out of her house and into mine, she's fine with it we're friends.
So the other day I ended up adopting 3 kittens from Romania. These poor girls were found on the streets and were in foster care, but being turfed back out.
They were brought in together as they were a litter, and I couldn't leave any behind.
My question is how do I introduce them to my other two?
I'm starting to feel awful because I don't want my girl, KitKat especially to feel threatened or not want to be at home anymore.
I know I can offer them a loving and stable home and I want to but I'm now really worried.
The girls get their plane ride to England, November 4ty.
Thanks for reading

 

[MyLittlePony25]

Hi all, sorry to jump on your post but I'm after some advice.
So, I have a cat, KitKat, she's 20 months old shes an indoor, outdoor cat dependant on her mood.
My neighbour bought a dog about 12 months ago and her cat moved out of her house and into mine, she's fine with it we're friends.
So the other day I ended up adopting 3 kittens from Romania. These poor girls were found on the streets and were in foster care, but being turfed back out.
They were brought in together as they were a litter, and I couldn't leave any behind.
My question is how do I introduce them to my other two?
I'm starting to feel awful because I don't want my girl, KitKat especially to feel threatened or not want to be at home anymore.
I know I can offer them a loving and stable home and I want to but I'm now really worried.
The girls get their plane ride to England, November 4ty.
Thanks for reading

firstly, don’t worry, your cat may have her nose put out of joint first but they soon get used to it and will all find their hierarchy and safe spaces.

at first, keep the new arrivals in one room for the first week or so to allow them to get used to you and have a ‘safe space’. This also allows your cat to get used to the noises and smells without her area being invaded.

then get a baby gate (a netted one) so that they can see each other but not allow your cat to enter their space. You can feed your cat by this net whilst feeding the newbies to associate them with nice things. Feed treats etc

keep an eye and allow them to get out their hissing and so on. Then gradually you can open up the netting and allow introductions and make sure the kittens can go back to their room with a bed and safe area and your cat can also get away to hers. Distract from aggression by playing with toys etc. Make sure you have plenty of litter trays, ideally one in each room along with plenty of water bowls and food bowls.

good luck! I’m sure it will be ok. There are lots of videos you can watch on YouTube and even TikTok etc.

 

[Berty]

firstly, don’t worry, your cat may have her nose put out of joint first but they soon get used to it and will all find their hierarchy and safe spaces.

at first, keep the new arrivals in one room for the first week or so to allow them to get used to you and have a ‘safe space’. This also allows your cat to get used to the noises and smells without her area being invaded.

then get a baby gate (a netted one) so that they can see each other but not allow your cat to enter their space. You can feed your cat by this net whilst feeding the newbies to associate them with nice things. Feed treats etc

keep an eye and allow them to get out their hissing and so on. Then gradually you can open up the netting and allow introductions and make sure the kittens can go back to their room with a bed and safe area and your cat can also get away to hers. Distract from aggression by playing with toys etc. Make sure you have plenty of litter trays, ideally one in each room along with plenty of water bowls and food bowls.

good luck! I’m sure it will be ok. There are lots of videos you can watch on YouTube and even TikTok etc.

Thank you so much for your help, I'll pick up a few more litter trays and sort a gate out too xx

 

[MyLittlePony25]

Thank you so much for your help, I'll pick up a few more litter trays and sort a gate out too xx

no problem! I have a degree in animal behavioural science and welfare and have cats so I have some experience of introducing animals and training I’m sure you will do just fine and they kitties will find their place in the hierarchy.