New job and 50% travel What should I do with my cat?

I have had Bailey for 5 years now, and she is my only pet. I recently recieved a promotion with my company (YIPPIE!!!), but the new job requires approx. 50% travel. I don't know what to do with Bailey.

Having a pet sitter at $15 a day would be too costly. She likes other cats, and she wishes she would have a partner right now anyways. Would getting a 2nd cat be a good alternative so she could have companionship through out the week? Is keeping her all together a bad idea for her? I really don't want to give her away. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!!

Another cat would be good for companionship. But how long are you going to be gone at a time? If you're never going to be gone more than a couple days at a time it might work out. I used to travel for a living, and I don't think I could have ever properly cared for a pet.

Originally Posted by coaster

Another cat would be good for companionship. But how long are you going to be gone at a time? If you're never going to be gone more than a couple days at a time it might work out. I used to travel for a living, and I don't think I could have ever properly cared for a pet.

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If you are gone for say a week at a time many pet sitters will arrange something for a "regular " customer

I will be gone from Sunday night to Friday afternoon. Would a regular pet sitter provide enough companionship?

Originally Posted by jennjcmu

I will be gone from Sunday night to Friday afternoon. Would a regular pet sitter provide enough companionship?

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possibley another cat would be good ... but your going to be gone esentially 5 days , any way you can take kitty with?? Is this weekly?? or monthly??

I could be traveling 10-15 days a month. It could be Mon-Fri home for a week or Mon-Fri home for the weekend, and leave Mon-Fri again. It sadens me to think about life without my Bailey.

If it where me and I was going to have to leave Chester (my kitty) at home all alone for that long I would hire one of the neighbor children to come over and play with him twice a day and care for him. Kids will usually do this for $5 a day & they would probably love to play with him. I would also get another kitty to keep him company, I think he would get lonely without anyone to nap, play, and groom with. Or maybe you could even take your kitty with you. You are allowed to take them on airplanes as long as you have them in an approved carrier, the only problem would be finding a pet friendly hotel.
Hope I helped, Katie : )

Originally Posted by jennjcmu

I could be traveling 10-15 days a month. It could be Mon-Fri home for a week or Mon-Fri home for the weekend, and leave Mon-Fri again. It sadens me to think about life without my Bailey.

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Yeah, that's a sad situation. It could be better for both of you if you found her a good home with people who would be spending a lot of time with her. Then you wouldn't have to worry about her, can focus on your career, and she will be happier too. On the other hand, another cat might keep her from being lonely. I definitely think you should get a pet sitter, whether you have one or two cats. Maybe you can find someone cheaper? I just couldn't imagine leaving my cat(s) alone for that long. Not only would they possibly be lonely (even with each other)--especially the one that is used to you, but something could happen to them and no one would be there to take them to the vet or save them.

Do you have any family members living nearby who could take her? Then you could see her on the weekends. I'm sorry, but I can't recommend either another cat or a person (especially a child) coming in on such a frequent basis while you're gone for such a length of time. Cats need more contact with their people. And a neighbor's child raises responsibility questions. It's a difficult situation, but you need to do what you need to do to provide a living for yourself.

PS - I wouldn't rehome her permanently until you're sure the job is working out.

I have a friend who travels a lot, and she takes her cats with her. Is there no possibility of her going with you??

Do you have a roommate? Or can you get one?

I lived in a house with three cats - whose mum was not home much. They all adopted me and didnt seem to suffer much that mum didnt pay them much attention. I also was moved in as a roommate by another years ago when he knew he would be away in Russia for six months. He gave me greatly reduced rent in a v. expensive city b/c I was taking care of and, most of all, loving his cats while he was away.


Perhaps that would work out for you. (Of course the roommate would not be as good as you, but would take care of your immediate problem)

I do some trvael in my work and my kitty comes with me or I have a sitter come in. I could never part with her - and she is a year old! It would be like giving p my child!!! Surely you can make arrangements. My kitty is a good traveller - having begun at an early age but yours could be taught I am sure.

Do you expect to remain in this kind of work for more than a year? I also agree finding a family member/friend to care for your cat for this time would be best. Just until you are home more often.

I would take the cat with me. I know there are hotels out there that house cats, and some of them may even have babysitting/grooming services in the building.

My husband and I may have to go to Syracuse, NY for a month or so back and forth (7 days of work 7 days off, repeat). It's a 5 hour drive, and we are just bringing the kitten with us (does anyone know if there is a carsick pill for kitties?)! I know it will be scary for her, but it's better than leaving her alone in my opinion!

Is there a family member or a friend that could take her in while you are gone?

Congratulations on the promotion!

I'm in sales and for about 3 years was gone 50-60% on travel to most of the New England and great lake states and Canada. Mostly in a company car, but sometimes by air. My big boy Gizmo stayed at home alone during that time. Gizmo hates cars and cat carriers so i never put him through taking him with me.
I would never leave him without some kinda human interaction for more than 3 days. If i had to be gone a week or more (which i did lots) I would have a friend come over. Mainly to check on the food, litter and to give him some contact.
I used the auto feeder and watering stuff, but my main concern was always for his mental well being. I would call the house and talk to him over the answering machine. Hoakey i know, but even today now that my traveling days are over, he runs to the answering machine when i call home.
The wonderful thing about cats are they are so independant that days away only makes their hearts grow fonder. However They do need you and human contact and repeated long abscenses without any interaction with people and the cat will suffer mentally.
If you are literally gone 5 or more days away from home and cannot get someone to come over, it would be best for the cat to have a home with a trusted friend or family member. IMHO. If you are back and forth in those 5 days where you have some home time, you should be ok with her alone or with a new feline companion.
Adding her another companion will not really help the basic problem. lack of human contact. Bailey knows you for 5 years too and looks to you as a stable confidence building aspect of her life. She needs that for her happiness and security.
its tough call either way.
without knowing specifically what your travel is like its hard really to say.
But long repeated time (5+ days) away from your furchild is not something i would recommend to anyone.

A second cat would be good. For two healthy cats for your situation you could have someone stop by, say, Monday evening, Wednesday morning, and sometime Thursday to feed and scoop and check on them. That would be a total of $45/week. You might be able to pay a neighborhood teen $10 or so to come by once or twice and spend an hour playing with them. That should be manageable from a financial perspective.

I feel for you, I like Middletown and am sales and that prevented me from getting a cat for a long time. I switched roles and now handle the federal government since I live in DC suburb I don't have many overnight trips (maybe one night every few months) - so I got two kittens. I work from homes and am only with clients about two days a week so they are spoiled. Ironically now I may need to switch roles again but with the kittens I am not going to take a travel position. I suppose I am lucky that I will have the luxury of a choice. I am feeling so guilty I may need to be gone more during the day - I have no idea how I am going to do when I have a baby. I think it will be stay at home mom for and give up a lucrative career for one that will make me happy! Best of luck, I definitely feel for you it seems funny to tell your boss - I can't be gone that long I have cats.

I dont even like to leave my cats overnight and have only done it once or twice but always had my mom cat sit. You def need someone to come in and check on your kitty everyday or close to it. Another cat would help keep your kitty company but it will be hard to socialize a new one when you are going to be gone so much.

Originally Posted by touro1979

I dont even like to leave my cats overnight and have only done it once or twice but always had my mom cat sit. You def need someone to come in and check on your kitty everyday or close to it. Another cat would help keep your kitty company but it will be hard to socialize a new one when you are going to be gone so much.

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Plus it needs to be someone who is familiar with cats (YOUR cats!) so that they will know if one of them are getting sick.
I (personally) would not leave a cat alone for anywhere near that long. If I could`nt take the cat with me then I would rehome this one rather than getting a second one. IMHO
Linda