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vacation

post #1 of 10
6/7/10 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
going away for about 3-4 days,wondering if i should take my cat to a kennel for those days? Roomate says he will watch her but he has friends over at times and that makes me nervous. What do you all recomend? If I know my roomie isnt having any1 over and i would let her here.
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post #2 of 10
6/7/10 at 6:50pm
Cats are usually better off in their own homes, but if you don't trust your roommate, I recommend boarding. I don't usually, but I would never leave my cats with someone I didn't wholly trust.

I remember a woman a while back in another forum, who came home after three days to find her cats terrorized, hiding under her bed in her room, unfed, with poop and pee all over. For peace of mind, and for your beloved cat's safety, go with a reputable boarding service.
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post #3 of 10
6/8/10 at 7:37am
We leave Buddy at our vet’s when we are away. Not every vet accepts pets for boarding, but many do. He really likes it there (they make a tremendous fuss over him, remembering when he was first brought there as a very sick little waif) and he practically glows! And of course it is the best place for him to be if any health issues were to crop up.

I think the home is the best place, but it does not always work out for a variety of reasons.
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post #4 of 10
6/8/10 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 
its not so much the feeding and cleaning litter,he would do that but im just afraid one of his drunk friends would stay the night and let her out??
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post #5 of 10
6/8/10 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Racn1320 View Post
its not so much the feeding and cleaning litter,he would do that but im just afraid one of his drunk friends would stay the night and let her out??
Yes, I understand. That's why I said don't do it.. Do you really want your cat alone with "drunk friends"?

Please, board her.
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post #6 of 10
9/22/10 at 12:02pm
I *thought* Ritz was fine when I returned home after I was on vacation for five days. This was the first time we were apart since I adopted her. Ritz immediately went into my lap for a cuddle session, and seemed to be a little more needy than usual fot the first day. Fast(?) forward one or two days, and some of her behavior has regressed--she play bites me for no reason and goes under the bed for a minute or two. She use to play bite/pent up agression (see birds, can't get to them) in February/March 2010; I thought she outgrew it. Is she now showing me her displeasure about my leaving her? Or is it because the weather has gotton cooler and she is more frisky?
She is also using the carpet as a scratching post, which she's never done; this started shortly after I had the carpets professionally cleaned, and about a week before I left on vacation.
Ritz is about 1.5 years old now, former stray/feral cat; adopted her from rescuer in late January 2010. The rescuer looked after Ritz while I was away; I did *not* board her. Any ideas what's going on. Playing/pooping/peeing normally. Thanks.
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post #7 of 10
9/22/10 at 12:10pm
Cats scratch on things for two reasons: to sharpen claws and to scent mark. You cleaned her scent off the carpet so she felt obliged to put it back. You could try a feliway diffuser in the room she's scratching or even the spray on the carpet itself. Of course you must make sure she has a scratching post or another type of scratcher in that room - and not stuffed back in some corner.
Put something down over her favorite scratching spot for a bit - like a piece of furniture.

If you catch her trying to scratch the carpet elsewhere tell her no and move her to her proper scratching surface.

A year and a half is still a kitten. So you have a few years until she outgrows any friskiness. If she's directing her boredom and frustration on you, play with her. Use wand toys (da bird) or a laser pointer. Have afternoon/evening nip sessions. Let her work out her stress.
Tell her no when she bites you and put her down or ignore her. This is just a bad behavior that some cats can pick up - not a sign that they're mad at you.
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post #8 of 10
9/22/10 at 12:19pm
Thanks. What is interesting/depressing is that Ritz had totally stopped play biting until I returned from vacation. Coincidence?
Makes a lot of sense what you said about the carpet.
She still buts her face on various parts of my anatomy to let me know she is mine. Gladly.....
I do play with her a lot; I learned how important this is after I posted a question about play biting back in April/May 2010 on these forums.
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post #9 of 10
9/22/10 at 12:27pm
Maybe the stress of you being gone brought that bad behavior back? That's the only thing I can think of. Go through the same process you did last time, she should be retrainable.
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post #10 of 10
9/22/10 at 12:58pm
I have also read that cats are better left in their own environment, with proper care. I'm going on vacation next week and Amy, from a bonded - in business 20 years, cat sitting service will come in twice a day for food and play. It ain't cheap, but my guys get to stay at home.
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