home alone?

darcifinn

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I have two beautiful kittens who are now about 14 weeks. They get along very well and cuddle and play together I work from home so they get a lot of attention and affection, so finally the question. I have avoided overnight travel so far but it looks like I have a trip overnight next week and will be gone about 24 hours. Are they too little to leave alone, do I need have someone check on them? My friend has offered to check on them but I don't like the rough play they do with the kittens. I feel guilty, but I still have to go because they don't warn enough to feed themselves
FInn and Darci - my little angels
 

sharky

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I personally think a cat of any age should have a sitter ... yours are way tooo young in my book to be alone
 

gayef

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I agree with Sharky - 24 hours might be pushing it with kittens that young. Do you have a friend (other than the one who plays too rough) that can perhaps stay the night at your place?
 

eburgess

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hmmm... If they were a older I'd say go for it, but 14 weeks seems a little young to be left home alone for that long.
 
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darcifinn

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Wow I am surprised to hear two people who do not think a cat of any age should have a sitter. Do ya'll suggest people who work outside of the homes not have cats? I would guess the majority of the people with cats leave the home in the morning and do not get home till evening.

I do not have anyone who can stay overnight but I think I can get someone in my family to stop by and visit the kittens. I suspect they will not come out though as they are still very stranger shy. It take a long time for them to come out when my boyfriend is here.
 

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I am currently, (for a week) cat sitting for a woman with two adult cats. I go in once a day and do what needs to be done....litter, food, company... I see no problem with leaving adult cats as long as someone comes in to do those necessary things. I have no problem leaving my cats under these types of circumstances. Kittens are a different matter. I left Louis at about 6 months for 2 days, although someone did come in to check on him, feed him, etc and he had to adult kitties to play with. I was nervous because of his age but it worked out ok. 14 weeks is awfully young and I would be a concerned but it sounds like you have no choice. I would have someone come in to check on him if possible. Could you ask the person not to play rough? Is it possible to gently share that you're trying to not play rough with him? Not sure what your living circumstances are but could you set up a room, perhaps even your bedroom for your kittens that are kitty safe? You could set all up nice and cozy, plus safe kitty toys and it sounds like there are at least two so they will entertain themselves. Perhaps leave on a radio and put away anything they could hurt themselves or destroy in their playtime. Just an idea for an alternative. Let us know how it goes and what you decide.
 

grapegal45

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In regards to Louis in the last post, I meant to say, 4 months, not 6 months.
 

eilcon

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My cats are 12, 6 and 11 months and I have someone check on them everyday when I'm gone. All three are pretty shy and they don't usually come out of hiding unless they're pretty desperate for attention. It makes me feel better to know they're getting at least some human interaction and that if something has happened it won't go unnoticed.
 

loveysmummy

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Two nights is the longest I would leave my cats alone without a sitter.

For 14 weeks, I would definitely have someone check on them twice a day if not stay overnight.

One of mine wouldn't come out and the other would be irritated that someone was there, but I would still want them to be checked on for adequate food, water bowls not tipped over, etc.
 
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darcifinn

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Thanks for the input, I have a big house and the most part it is really kitten safe. I even have all the cords retractable so they cannot pull anything down. Any rooms not 100% safe for kittens gets shut off. They really love my bathroom but I am afraid they will get into the tub and can't jump out as it is very deep so they cannot go it there.

I told my friend not to play rough with the kittens she says, "Oh get over it, I play with my cat that way all the time." So she is not going near them. My mom said she can come by. It is a bummer because I thought I was in a much better position to have kittens than people who leave their kittens alone all day.

I spoke to the rescue society where I got Finn and Darci their foster mom said they are actually 17 weeks and I could leave them alone overnight but I am still going to ask my mom to come. She is good with my nephews and nieces so I think she can handle kittens.
 

loveysmummy

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Originally Posted by DarciFinn

I told my friend not to play rough with the kittens she says, "Oh get over it, I play with my cat that way all the time..
I hate it when people, let alone friends, disrespect your simplest of wishes.

An acquaintance came over once and began playing rough with Lovey (grey in my sig)..I asked him nicely not to do that. He said "whatever, I have had cats all of my life"...I then warned him that Lovey doesn't like that... He began to say something when Lovey lunged over and punctured the base of his thumb with his fangs.

That got the point across.

Good luck with the separation
 

sharky

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I think mom is the best choice
... and I mean that i get a sitter for overnight( I do have a 17 yr old cat too) but I am very lucky I work out of my house and my mom is here also
 

daidreamer

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I don't even like to leave my guys alone when I go to work but I know I have too, but for trips I get someone to check in on them a couple times a day or even if my sister wants to stay over she can then they are safer.
 

sweets

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When I first brought my boys home at 12 weeks, I had no choice but to leave them home alone while I was at work. But they were put in a kitten friendly room with no outlet. Now that they're 6 yrs old, I still get a sitter if I'm going to be gone for more than overnight. They don't come out when the sitter is here, but I feel better that someone is checking on them.
 

evnshawn

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Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

I hate it when people, let alone friends, disrespect your simplest of wishes.

An acquaintance came over once and began playing rough with Lovey (grey in my sig)..I asked him nicely not to do that. He said "whatever, I have had cats all of my life"...I then warned him that Lovey doesn't like that... He began to say something when Lovey lunged over and punctured the base of his thumb with his fangs.
 
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