the cat thread

[punk'n]

Originally Posted by jeffdrafttech

I have a new gig where I am required to travel regionally. This month I'm only home on weekends.

I'm curious how other cat owners have handled similar situations.

I bought a cat food dispenser at wally world but it really isn't much beter than pouring a lot of cat food into a bowl. I also bought a water dispenser cat bowl but again, it isn't much different than pouring water into a really big bowl.

I've been gone since Monday morning and won't be home til Friday evening. This is going to be the pattern for the next three weeks and somewhat regular after that.

Is there a better way? Am I a terrible cat owner?

You're leaving him alone for 5 days? That might be okay once, but that's too long to leave a cat alone regularly. There's alot of variables (whether your cat is male or female/if it goes outside/how big your place is/how much stimulation it has).

In general, cats obviously don't need as much attention as dogs but they do need regular attention or else they become hostile. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter, and they would say that cats need about 20 minutes of human interaction a day (on average) to remain good pets. Every shelter here takes volunteers that only come in to pet shelter cats because if they don't get attention, they act out. Don't be surprised if he starts peeing/shitting on things to get attention, and once they start doing that, it's a hard problem to fix.

If you have a friend or a neighbor that can check on him, that is best. Have someone come in for half an hour every couple days, feed him, and pet him for a few minutes. Then your cat will remain happy. Also, leave a radio or tv on, so he hears human voices.

I know I have quite an opinion, but I just had a friend have to put down her cat because she had a similar schedule as you, and the cat wouldn't stop peeing on everything. It got to the point where the cat had ruined couches, mattresses, etc. My friend didn't know what else to do. It was very sad.

Hope this helps.

[marina]

Hey cat thread! We just got a new cat. I haven't had cats since I was a kid, hopefully we don't fail horribly as cat owners. Pics are here:

http://www.keithandthegirl.com/forum...tml#post633329

[kingtorm01]

my cat cokey about 2 months ago(on top)
My sister's cat jasmine(on the bottom)

[Q czar]

Mr. Kittykitty.jpg

Mrs. Kitty DSCI1998.jpg

[eurotrash karlos]

cats rule, dogs are super gay ...... like right up to the hilt ball deep balls banging together Jeff Stryker gay

fact

[jeffdrafttech]

Originally Posted by punk'n

You're leaving him alone for 5 days? That might be okay once, but that's too long to leave a cat alone regularly. There's alot of variables (whether your cat is male or female/if it goes outside/how big your place is/how much stimulation it has).

In general, cats obviously don't need as much attention as dogs but they do need regular attention or else they become hostile. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter, and they would say that cats need about 20 minutes of human interaction a day (on average) to remain good pets. Every shelter here takes volunteers that only come in to pet shelter cats because if they don't get attention, they act out. Don't be surprised if he starts peeing/shitting on things to get attention, and once they start doing that, it's a hard problem to fix.

If you have a friend or a neighbor that can check on him, that is best. Have someone come in for half an hour every couple days, feed him, and pet him for a few minutes. Then your cat will remain happy. Also, leave a radio or tv on, so he hears human voices.

I know I have quite an opinion, but I just had a friend have to put down her cat because she had a similar schedule as you, and the cat wouldn't stop peeing on everything. It got to the point where the cat had ruined couches, mattresses, etc. My friend didn't know what else to do. It was very sad.

Hope this helps.

My kitty is an adult female, always indoors. She's very cuddly and pretty submissive.

I just got home and she was really shy for a bit. The food dispenser got her through the week (barely), but I'm sure the stuff in the dispenser is stale. I was gone from 7am Monday til 4pm on Friday. I petted and played with her for about 30 minutes straight and she's enjoying a can of tuna right now.

I had socialization issues with a previous cat for a different reason, so I'm sure it isn't something I want to deal with again (it ended the way you described last time too). I have to be in your neck of the woods 4-5 days every week all throughout Feb to train at the brewery. After Feb is over with, it will be a lot better. I'll be gone for a day or two at a time and it won't be more than a couple times per month. I'll try to convince someone to stop in mid week and pet her for the rest of the month.

Have fun digging out of all that snow. It stopped about 40 miles s of the KC metro.

[punk'n]

Originally Posted by jeffdrafttech

My kitty is an adult female, always indoors. She's very cuddly and pretty submissive.

I just got home and she was really shy for a bit. The food dispenser got her through the week (barely), but I'm sure the stuff in the dispenser is stale. I was gone from 7am Monday til 4pm on Friday. I petted and played with her for about 30 minutes straight and she's enjoying a can of tuna right now.

I had socialization issues with a previous cat for a different reason, so I'm sure it isn't something I want to deal with again (it ended the way you described last time too). I have to be in your neck of the woods 4-5 days every week all throughout Feb to train at the brewery. After Feb is over with, it will be a lot better. I'll be gone for a day or two at a time and it won't be more than a couple times per month. I'll try to convince someone to stop in mid week and pet her for the rest of the month.

Have fun digging out of all that snow. It stopped about 40 miles s of the KC metro.

Good luck with your kitty! And I'M SICK OF THE SNOW!!!!!!!!