Owner Absence

I am looking for advice on my mother's cats. She has recently been hospitalized for a month an a half and now is in rehab for approximately the next 6 weeks. During this time I have had a relative care for the cats. They have been hiding when she enters the house to feed and clean after them. On cat has always been antisocial his entire life. The cats are both over 10 years old. I am unable to bring these animals into my home as I have large dogs that would not get along with the cats. The cats have recently been showing separation anxiety and behavior such as being slightly destructive and having accidents throughout the house. This is a couple hundred miles from my home and my priority has been my mother's health. I am looking for advice on how to bring these cats back to thier previous behavior. My mother will be moving to an apartment in a month or so and I want to have the cats ready to be with her. Again, the cats have had little human interaction as my priority has been my mothers health and they have not came out when my realative has been at the home. They are eating and drinking thier normal amounts.

If you have the funds available, I would hire someone who works with cats to come and see the cats 1-2x a day.  They could be fed, litter box cleaned and most importantly played with.  The cats are very very lonely and are acting out from boredom and no human interaction.  It will cost $20 or more per day and it could take some time.  I also would get a few feliway diffusers for her current place and definitely have them in her new place.  The cats will freak when they move.  Make sure they have lots of their old items that have their scent on them. 

The best way for the cats to come out and remember human contact is to have someone who will sit and play with them or sit and spend time with them.  Just walking in to feed them and clean the litter box a few times a week does not cut it.  How often does the relative come by?  Could they spend any time playing with the cats or even spending some time in the home.  You also could leave a radio playing.

This will take time and may not be an easy fix unless you move on this.  The cats have been alone for a long time.  It will take them time to trust again and get used to human contact.  I would do my best to bring a cat person into the home daily to work with them.  You can find a cat sitter online or maybe your Mom would know someone.

Thank you for taking the time to find a solution.  I am sure you Mom misses them terribly and will be grateful that she will have her cats again.