best of the bad options for my cat

[Anonymous]

I am headed on vacation for 10 days. I am riddled with guilt on behalf of my cat. She is more dog than cat. She likes to be in the same room as me, sleeps at my feet sometimes while I'm at "work," and needless to say sleeps with me each night.

Option 1: I can take her to my ex-husband's house. She will be very angry about being captured (twice! going there and coming back to me) but he is very fond of her and -- maybe -- she will remember him. I'm worried she will hide the whole time from him and not remember her. If she comes out, he would play her games (laser pointer, give her snacks). Even if she's hiding, I suspect she will be very happy not to be by herself.

Option 2: I can ask my ex-husband to come by and feed her. This keeps her at home, so I don't have to do the capture thing, which is horrible. But she will be lonely much of the day. She also will be happy to stay on familiar terrain. She can be shy with new people and with new homes.

What would say would be worse for her?

[Anonymous]

For 10 days, I’d go with option 1. That’s too long for a social cat to be alone.

[Anonymous]

I think Option 1 is the best. She'll be lonely if left alone for 10 days, and I think she'll remember your ex-husband. Even if she doesn't, it sounds as if he likes her and will spend time with her.

[Anonymous]

We have two very social cats, and hire a neighbor kid to come in once a day when we’re gone. They have automatic food and water, so the visit is just to scoop their box and then play with, brush and love on them for a bit. Everyone loves this routine.

Do your kids have a friend (or friend’s older sibling) who wants to pet sit? Can you post something to the neighborhood list serv? I think keeping kitty at home is better than moving to a new place. But I don’t know that letting your XH into your house is the smartest move.

[Anonymous]

Option 1. For a house sitter we had to have them come spend a day and night with us ahead of time so they were "ok" to the cats. Worked on positive reinforcement with special treats to accept them.

Worth the cost because the stress would send our FIV+ cat into a $600+ panic that'd spiral into all sorts of infection and illness.

[Anonymous]

We had a cat like that…very social and extremely active and dog-like. I would do option 2 if you can also find a neighborhood preteen or teen who can come and just play and hang out once or twice a day. Ideally the kid should come and have a play session while you’re still there. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would send her to vacation at the ex’s house if she were my cat. It sounds like they would both enjoy it other than the cat carrier part. I find that the transfer is easier the faster I do it. I wait until the cat is relaxed on the bed and put the carrier upright nearby and the do a quick grab and drop in the box before he realizes what’s happening.

[Anonymous]

I used a pet sitter company and the sitter came twice a day for 30 minutes a session. It was expensive but worth it.

[Anonymous]

Option 1 is perfectly nice. How wonderful that you and your ex have a good enough relationship for that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used a pet sitter company and the sitter came twice a day for 30 minutes a session. It was expensive but worth it.

We also hire cat sitters, but for once a day.