Anyone else have a had time leaving?

I am feeling so bad whenever I have to leave the house and my kids are alone. I am not gone longer than 4 hours at a time and usually less than 2 hrs. They stay in my bedroom with their blankets, toys, food and litterbox and they seem comfortable but I still feel bad inside when I leave. In fact, I feel like I don't want to go do things that I need to because of this. I don't know if it's because of them being so young or what. Though, Jessie was 17 and I felt bad being away from her too.
Anyone feel like this??
If so, can you offer me any suggestions on how to feel better about it?
I am supposed to go to cedar point with my friend in a month and I really want to go for the day but I am sick thinking about leaving Salem and Spook at home.
HELP!!
Thanks

teufel always gives me this look when i walk out of the door even when im going down to do the washing!

It's the worst in the morning when I have to go to work. Samwise will follow me to the door and look up at me with his little golden eyes then flop over and stretch out to be loved on. He knows I can't resist and will bend down and love on him. But what really gets me is when he runs and rares up and hugs my leg while meowing just looking to be hugged on.

Gosh I've gone on two week trips and left the cats at home (with a friend coming over for food/water/litter box duty of course!!!)

Awww, see, that's what makes me feel bad. I am having a hard time reasoning with myself about it.

I am so embarrassed, I just noticed that I spelled the title in the thread wrong. I meant to say, "Anyone else have a hard time leaving" not had time. UGH!!!

Oh i have a picture of their little faces now when i shut their door to leave for work as if to say " Why mum?! "

Just keep clock watching when your away and you'll soon be back home with Salem and Spook

Can you tell thats what i've done!

All I have to say is" Mommy going to work" and Picasso freeks! He runs up to the door puts his paws on my legs and just meows like crazy! he does this everyday. I get so upset now he's got Tigger doing it too!

I've worked full time since getting the kits, and they do not seem at all concerned when I leave, as long as they have food and water! In fact, sometimes on Saturday, if we are here all day, the cats seem to nap most of the time!

Can you get a special, fun toy that is only taken out when Meowmie goes away? If you are gone for the whole day, can a friend visit them? I don't think you should limit socializing with friends because your cats will miss you. They will be fine! Just get your extra hugs when you get home. Good luck!

Thanks, that's a good idea. I will get something special for them.

Don't forget that they have each other. There are times during the day when our cats couldn't care less if we're around or not. In fact, there are times they prefer to be alone.

Originally Posted by Emma's Friend

Don't forget that they have each other. There are times during the day when our cats couldn't care less if we're around or not. In fact, there are times they prefer to be alone.

Click to expand...

That is true. That is actually why I got two so they could keep each other company all the time whether I was here or not. They play really well together so I know they like each other (not to mention they are siblings). I remember my jessie liked to be alone.
I just get this guilty feeling every time I have to leave for awhile. I need to get over that I think but I love my kids sooo much!!

I think it's that Jedi mind trick coming into play again. Cats are so incredibly independant - they just like to pull the strings. I never had much of a problem leaving my two at home. Greebo would follow me down the road for a little way - and Sprocket would glare at me like I had just filled the litterbox with pink fluff, but ultimately they're still cats... cats who are perfectly capable of looking after themselves for a couple of hours and who will still be waiting for you when you get home. Sometimes it was simply nice to get a little respite from Greebo's stifling need for constant attention... and Sprockets claws!

When I first got Guinness I was so worried about leaving him on his own all day long. I made sure that I played tonnes with him before work and when I got home. He has loads of toys as well and my neighbour used to call through the front letter box to him during the day. She told me that he did play on his own as she could hear him running about on the wooden floors (she lives below me). I come home from work and find all of his toys all over the flat! lol

Then, when he was old enough (6 months old) he learnt to use the cat flap so I started to let him go out during the day. At least he had some exploring to do and other kits to play with in the gardens. Again, I was so scared that I would come home from work and he wouldn't be there.... but he seems to be getting on fine and we have got this routine now.

He knows when I am going to work (or going out) as he will normally grab my ankles or he will roll over in front of me for some strokes. Most of the time when I get home he is sitting at the top of the stairs to greet me or if he is outside, as soon as he hears the front door go / sees a light go on, he bombs it into the cat flat and acts all silly. He loves it when his mummy gets home

Don't worry, I am sure they are fine. Cats sleep most of the day as well!

I don't like leaving mine either. Especially now. I always make sure I kiss each one every morning before we leave... which is pretty easy, because they all take their spots & I can find them, and I've got the usual "followers"!. Dusty, this morning, was climbing my back meowing and rubbing her face on me. I swear she rubbed her face on my elbow like 20 times as I was petting Snickers, to get my attention. And Hammie, as we were going down the steps to get out of the house, the little bugger kept figure-8ing between our legs and tried to follow us into the garage!

I won't be leaving mine for a prolonged period for a while... no way. An overnight anywhere is out of the question until next Summer! And even then I have to make sure someone can babysit my kits.

But yah I do think that the cats sleep most of the day anyway. There are times I come home to find tufts of black fur all over the place and orange fur sticking out of Snicker's mouth... two boys at play during the day... toys scattered all over the place. So I know they're doing 'something' to occupy their time. But as soon as I get in the door? They're climbing my legs for food.

Originally Posted by LilleKat

I think it's that Jedi mind trick coming into play again. Cats are so incredibly independant - they just like to pull the strings.

I never had much of a problem leaving my two at home. Greebo would follow me down the road for a little way - and Sprocket would glare at me like I had just filled the litterbox with pink fluff, but ultimately they're still cats... cats who are perfectly capable of looking after themselves for a couple of hours and who will still be waiting for you when you get home. Sometimes it was simply nice to get a little respite from Greebo's stifling need for constant attention... and Sprockets claws!

Click to expand...

He he he, yep they sure do know how to do that don't they! When I first brought Salem home, I had to leave his 3rd day here for about 2 hrs. He seemed ok and I gave him a treat before I left. Now with Spook, the first time I left her and her brother, she cried at the bedroom door before I left. I felt sooooo bad!! When I arrived back home, they were both sleeping on their bed completely content. I just wish I could spend every moment of every day with them.
You are right though, they can be ok for a bit by themselves.

Stop beating yourself up...this is one of the reasons cats are a perfect pet...they do JUST FINE when alone. Remember, they sleep most of the time anyway..they are fine, really

I suffer from separation anxiety too! Mondays are the worst for me. The few times I stayed overnight somewhere, I couldn't wait to get home. I've been known to wake up at 7:30AM and say "I have to go now, I miss Oliver." (That was before I had Tripod, of course.)

I'm generally okay about leaving them when I go to work, but I'd rather be home with them! Gracie makes me feel the most guilty. She'll sit in the window looking forlorn as I drive off. When I come, she's always in the window too, like she's been there waiting all day. Of course, I know better.
Then she runs to the door and I can hear her crying as I'm opening it.
Talk about a guilt trip!

The best way to get YOURSELF through the day when you have to leave the kits is to think about how sweet and excited they are to see you once you get home! Everyone else is right- this is the reason why cats are the perfect pet; they can entertain themselves JUST FINE when their meowmies are gone- especially if they have a windown to look out of!

Man, thank you all soooo much!!!! I really appreciate your thoughts on this. I need to focus on the fact that they, have each other, probably sleep while I am gone and are safe and warm and loved. I swear I was about to cancel my trip to cedar point even though we are only going to be gone about 8-9 hrs but I believe now that my kits will be fine. Plus, they will be in a better environment by then because I will be settled in my new house and won't have to worry about something happening there like I do where I am at now.
Thanks so much!!! I really appreciate these kind words.