Expert: Karen Craft - 10/2/2009

Question
Karen,

My wife and I took in a female cat 6 month's ago.  We took her in and she had 3 baby kittens which we raised and got adopted out.  We believe she is only about 1.5 years old and has turned into a very loving indoor cat.  She has been without her little ones for about 4 1/2 months.

My question is this!  My wife and I are going on vactions for 10 days.  Is it best to leave her in the house and have someone come by every other day to check on her, clean her litter box and make sure she has food.  Or, is it best to take her to my wifes aunts house which has a cat.  The two cats meet briefly while one was in a carrier and they hissed and spat at each other.  Our cat has had little interaction with other cats since we took her in.

I think it would be less stressfull on her if we leave her at home and have someone come in every other day to check on her and play with her a little.  Get a few new toys for her to play with and let her move through out the house.  She is declawed in the front.

My wife thinks we should take her to her aunts.  Her aunt has a cat but it is her first cat so I am not sure she knows how to introduce a cat properly over time.  I think the whole situation would be very stressfull on both cats and her aunt.

We could board our cat at the local vet but I feel that she would be restricted to a smallish cage and have no view for 10 days to the outside world.  At least at home she can still perch on her favorite spots and watch the birds and the outside world.

What do you think.

Answer
Hi Ray,

Leave her home. This is the least stressful of all situations. Try to have someone come in everyday. Anything can happen in a day. She can knock over her water and have none for the day. If you can't make sure you get one of those gravity feeders and waterer's. Leave timers on lights to mimic your usual lighting habits. She is used to that and the lights makes it safer for your house. Also leave a radio in the awake time for her.  Leave it on a soft music channel. Or you can set a TV on a timer for her. This will also keep her calm. There is a study out showing that cats left home with music or TV on are relaxed and don't cause kitty trouble when left alone.

You don't want to leave her with the Aunt unless she is left in a room by herself with no contact with the other cat. This is the only way she should stay there. Otherwise there are going to be some major cat fights.

The vet is only good for emergencies. Being locked in a cage is not right. Leaving her stay in her home is the best. She will be happy and won't miss you too much, (maybe). Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

And have a good trip!