Leaving Them Alone Together?

Background: Our two cats (a 1-year-old and a 4-month-old) were just introduced in person yesterday. (The baby had been sequestered for one week.) My husband and I are going to MI for the last weekend in August (for a long-planned event).

Question(s): Do you think it would be possible to allow our cats to remain together for that weekend, considering when we first introduced them (and, of course, how they're getting along up until that time)? If they are playing/ sleeping together and grooming one another by then, would that be a safe sign? (I've already caught out big boy grooming the baby's head a little; it is so darn cute! )

Thank you,

Jenk

Has your older baby ever been left alone, and if so, was he/she stressed by it? If he has a difficult time with separation, good behavior can easily turn to bad. It he has never been separated from you and you don't know how he will respond, suggest that you separate the 2 while you are gone. Perhaps make arrangements to have the kitten boarded/babysat while you are gone. You might have a last minute call based on their behavior before you leave.

I have done what you are describing before but I know how my cats respond while away (they get put-off but deal with it well). I also arrange in-home daily visits anytime I'm away to keep an eye on them.

Err on the side of caution on this one!

He has not been left alone overnight by himself, but he has been left alone for a *very* long day before. He is a laidback Raggie who basically lies around the house and keeps himself occupied with legal targets; he is a very good, floppycat.

Jenk

He might just panic about 2AM when you don't come thru the door, and could get worse as the long weekend goes on without mom and dad.

I would really hesitate about leaving them alone together for that length of time with no previous history of his behavior for this. The kitten is still very young and may not be able to ward off a change in behavior from your older one.