Letting the Cat Fend for Himself Over the Weekend?

I was recently asked if it's okay to leave the cat extra food and water, with access to the outdoors via a cat door, and let the cat fend for himself while away for a weekend. That's an excellent question! With cats being independent creatures, and knowing how your cat would be in a circumstance like this, it would probably be okay. However...

Here are some things to consider that might make you want to have a pet sitter for even a weekend get-away:

- If there is a malfunction in the home, such as a water pipe busting, or the cat knocking something off a shelf that could cause danger, it's good to have someone stop by at least once a day to make sure that everything is up to par. If there is an emergency, the pet sitter can deal with it.

- The cat, with or without access to the outdoors, could possibly get injured. That is something a neighbor or passerby would never notice. With a pet sitter stopping by, they can get the cat to the vet as soon as possible.

- The cat might get sick from something it ate, or start showing signs of a blocked urethra (something that doesn't make itself obvious until they are experiencing it), which if not dealt with immediately could be fatal. A pet sitter would notice this and get medical care immediately.

- If your house has a pet door without magnet locks, it's possible that other animals can come into the house, cause ruckus, or simply eat all your cat's food, leaving the cat hungry. A pet sitter would make sure that there is always enough food, and deal with any unwanted guests.

- Speaking of unwanted guests, burglary is another possibility. Having a pet sitter come to your home gives the house a lived-in look, deterring would-be thieves. And if someone should break-in, the pet sitter would be able to notify the police immediately.

- And lastly, even though cats are by and large independent creatures, sometimes they don't appreciate being left alone, and will sometimes leave "protest poops" as a way to let you know. A pet sitter would provide fresh food, as well as lots of love and attention, in your absence!

Pet sitters provide many benefits, even for weekend jaunts!