Care for Kitten while on holiday?

Hi,

I am looking into getting a kitten asap but in just over a month we have a week holiday planned.

I know it is likely to be best to wait til after the holiday which is why we've put it off for the last couple of months. However recently we came into a lot of cat / kitten equipment which got us looking around to see what was available.

With myself having a lot of time off over Christmas I am going to be home everyday for the next couple of weeks so feel it would be a great time to introduce one. But the looming holiday when the kitten will only be around 11-13 weeks old makes me unsure.

Would it be OK if we left it with family for the week or would another change of home so soon at that age be a really bad decision? If we got someone to drop by for an hour or so once or twice a day would that be enough for a kitten or should it be getting more attention and company?

I know that cats are quite independent, especially when they are older, but just want to make sure whats best for the kitten.

If its not really feasible we will wait til after our holiday. I just feel the time I have home a lot shortly would be a great opportunity.

Thanks for reading.

- Dan

I think if you do have a family, it should be OK  for the kitten to be there.  I presume you are  talking about a home raised kitten,  no shy semiferale?

Nay, I wouldnt let a kitten be alone such long hours a day as you do ask about.  Unless perhaps our shy semiferale.

Also,  do consider taking in TWO kittens, so they keep each other company.  You all will win much on it in the long run.

Good luck!

I would recommend having family "kitten sit" although, if there are other cats in that house, I wouldn't expect the kitten to be integrated.

Also, if you are able to get 2 kittens, you could leave them at home in a kitten-proof room/area (I would not let them have full run of the house) and have someone come ove at least twice a day to check on them. Make sure there is nothing for them to get into or anywhere that they could get hurt.

If you are home with them for 2-3 weeks, you should have an idea of what they get into and what needs to be removed from a room to keep them safe.

We are talking home raised.

I never really considered 2 kittens so don't really want to get 2 soley on the reason they will keep each other company while we are away. 

I am happy to wait if its what is best for the kitten just wanted to check how much attention they require as if 2 visits a day while we are away for a week would have been fine then we will go for it, otherwise we'll just wait until after the holiday

Thanks for the quick responses.

Dan87 said:

 
I never really considered 2 kittens so don't really want to get 2 soley on the reason they will keep each other company while we are away. 

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I was not entirely clear - or too short in my advice. 

There is almost always big plusses of cats having company.   So for example, they are not so heavily relying on you humans to keep them busy and happy.  Having a cat companion to chase and wrestle with, they need humans just for the quality time of petting and cuddling and occasionally some playing.  The everyday exercise and washing they do with their pal.

And yes, in 99% of cases they DO bond with their friendly humans and love them anyway,  even if they do have a cat companion.

Of course, this having company will be twice as nice if they are much alone.  But it is NOT the sole reason.

Is there any BUT with having two cats?  Yes, they should be pals with each other.  If you buy / adopt 2 random cats, you dont have any 100% quarantine they will be good pals.  Not at once at least.  The introduction can take even several months sometimes. And some few cats do prefer to be alone.     Taking two litter mates, or say, two friends from a shelter, you do  have a quarantee they are pals, (or at the very least, they will coexist peacefully)..

This is also the main reason many shelter adopt out their cats only in pairs - or to a home where there is already a  cat or a friendly dog.     They dont do it to double their income, nor double their adoption rate as the main reason - the main reason is as said,  the cats feel well with a pal, AND their humans have a easier life too.

The doubled costs of food and vets /insurance is a cheap price to pay for all these advantages.

Good luck!