Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks for the advice in response to my previous post. Things seem to be going well with the two cats -- the older cat still lets the kitten know when she's annoyed, but there have been no fights at all, and both cats sleep with us most nights. I'm wondering when they can be left along together for a few days. We have a wedding to go to mid-May and will be gone 3-4 days. When we were just a one-cat household, we usually hired a pet sitter to come in. We had thought of sending the kitten for a sleep-over with friends, but is turning out to be a busy weekend for many people. Will the two cats be OK on their own, with a pet sitter coming in twice a day perhaps?

>>Thanks for the advice in response to my previous post. Things seem to be going well with the two cats -- the older cat still lets the kitten know when she's annoyed, but there have been no fights at all, and both cats sleep with us most nights. I'm wondering when they can be left along together for a few days. We have a wedding to go to mid-May and will be gone 3-4 days. When we were just a one-cat household, we usually hired a pet sitter to come in. We had thought of sending the kitten for a sleep-over with friends, but is turning out to be a busy weekend for many people. Will the two cats be OK on their own, with a pet sitter coming in twice a day perhaps?

It sounds like they should be fine together. Do you have several places where either of the cats can go to get away from the other if need be? Maybe some high places and a spot in a closet they can hide out in? If you are comfortable that their relationship is at the point where they can be left alone for a day, then they will be alright for several days. And there is always the option of boarding at your vet if you feel beter with that, although that might cause re-introduction problems when you come home.
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Purrs,
Munchie

You are the best judge of whether they can be left alone together for a lengthy period. I'm betting they can be, but you have until May to figure it out, so you can always start to leave them alone together for progressively longer periods of time between now and then and watch their behaviors closely while you are home, looking for signs of defensiveness or stress.

I would not take either of them to someone else's house. Cats don't adapt quickly to new people and environments and such slumber-parties usually end up causing more stress than being left alone in a familiar place or being boarded in a very contained area at a kennel or vet's office. Staying home, if someone can check them several times, is usually the most comfortable for them.