Leaving kittens at friend's house for two weeks

Hi,

I am on busines trip for two weeks, and I am thinking to take my two 4-month kittens to a friend's house. He has a 1-year-old (mother) and a 5-month-old (daughter). We decided to keep my kittens in a room with their own litter box and food/water, and my friend will play with them everyday for a while. And we plan to introduce my friend's two cats to the room after 1 week and see how they get along.

This is my first time leaving my kittens for so long, and I am a little nervous. I know my friend loves cats and will do a good job. But one of my kittens was a ferral, and it took 3 weeks before she showed her face when I am around. She is doing very well now at my apartment, but I am afraid leaving her at my friend's house will scare her again.

Any suggestions on what should/shouldn't me and my friend do when I am away with the four cats in the house?

Thanks a lot!!

I would take a towel over to your friend's house & get some of the other cats' scent on it, and bring it to your house; maybe even fill a small litter box with some of their used litter on it, to introduce your cats to the scent of your friend's house while they are still in their surroundings. And leave your cats some of your used laundry in the room that they will be using. Also, if you can, take your cats over for some pre-visits, for say an hour or two at a time. That's how I introduced JC and Joey to staying at my mom's ("grandma's) for overnight visits. They have stayed for up to a week at a time, and have done well. since your cats have each other, I wouldn't worry too much about your friend's cats getting to be pals with them. It might be better to leave your cats contained in the one room, lest they escape & manage to get outside - just a precaution, ya know! Good luck! It would be awesome if you can relax during your business trip. your cats are young, and should adjust just fine!

Is there any way that someone can come to your house to feed and play with them when you are gone?

Originally Posted by Luvmysphynx

Is there any way that someone can come to your house to feed and play with them when you are gone?

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I also would reccomend having someone come to your home as opposed to the kittens staying at another house. Cats are very territorial and very particular about their environment and often develop stress-related illnesses if they are placed in an unfamiliar environment. I'm sure there is a reputable pet-sitting service in your area--give your vet a call and see what service they reccomend. Or, if that is too expensive, perhaps your friend could go over to your house once/twice a day to feed them and give them some attention? Its just always better to leave a cat in his/her own environment. Just my thoughts.

Is there some way you can give your friend keys to your place and ask him/her to come over for a couple hours everyday to play with them, as well as replenish their food & water? It would be much better (especially with one of your little ones being a recovering feral) for them to stay on their own turf. It will be hard enough for them dealing with your not being there, then to also have them dealing with being in a whole new environment (especially taking into consideration their being so young). Know what I mean?

Hope this helps!

While it normally makes sense to have someone come in rather than move the cats, at their age they could get into serious trouble in one min. at your place (you cannot IMAGine what they're able to do!), and no one would know for ages. The separate room idea at your friends makes more sense this time around at least til they're older.

I would also recommend that you try to get someone to come in rather than take your cats to your friend's house. Cats can get very stressed when they are moved to an unfamiliar location and that can even lead to illness from the stress.

I think in your case it is rather important not to move the feral cat.