Is this cat abuse?

[trizza]

Just out with friends who say they leave their cat for up to 3 days . Unclear what the position is re food and water. Do you think this is a problem?

[woodrot]

no

[trizza]

Thanks for the input. I guess cats are predators who can find their own cat food if need be. I don't think our friends' cats have starved intentionally.

[woodrot]

check the lost and found section, its awash with victims that seem to spend their lives feeding randon cats that lurk around their gaff

[DJKillaQueen]

Errm it's tough one because cats are different in character. Personally, and having owned cats all my life, I would never leave a cat for three days. Overnight occassionally but never longer than that. The reason is that if the cat has an accident, or gets ill, where is someone to deal with that?

There are also the following reasons:

Cats need a regular supply of 'fresh' water. They don't like water that's been standing for a couple of days. Also, the only kind of food that can be left for three days is dried food, but a diet of dried food only is very bad for cats (unless it is the expensive stuff like Hill's Science Plan). That is because most dried foods have high levels of ash in them which is bad for a cats organ health over the long term.

Then there's the litter tray. I change mine every day for my cats, sometimes more than that. Imagine how you'd like it if your toilet wasn't flushed for three days? That's what that cat has to put up with.

They won't die without water for three days (or food), but if it's a regular occurance then I think the owner should question whether or not they really want a pet.

[trizza]

Thanks this is really helpful . We have discussed with our friends. They were a bit defensive but said they thought there were loads of rodent birds like owls which their cats could kill so were essentially comfortable with the "food position". They also plan to leave the toilet seat open so the cats have a source of water. It all sounds ok to us.

[*Bob*]

If we go on holiday we usually leave in turd in the pan for our cat too - in case she gets peckish.

[trizza]

Bob - serious responses only please - a turd cannot be good for cats.

[*Bob*]

I'm being serious. Our cat is on a strict diet of owls, turds and toilet water.

[trizza]

Bob I think you have a problem ...

[numbers]

woodrot meet trizza, trizza meet woodrot...oh!

[minder]

Your friends said there were a lot of rodent birds like owls which their cats could kill. Are owls rodents? I'm sorry but not sure. But I don't think my cats would tackle an owl and I've not seen many around anyway. They only bring in a mouse now and again and I wouldn't say they were predators (maybe one of them).

Agree with DJ re the water as it has to be fresh.

I wouldn't leave my cats for more than a day without food or water.

[Sue]

trizza Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> birds like owls which their cats could kill so

> were essentially comfortable with the "food

> position". They also plan to leave the toilet seat

> open so the cats have a source of water. It all

> sounds ok to us.

xxxxx

Is this some sort of joke?

:(

ETA: See below ....

[maxxi]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> If we go on holiday we usually leave in turd in

> the pan for our cat too - in case she gets

> peckish.

or as a life raft for the smaller cat (a high fibre pre-holiday diet is essential for this)

[Sue]

maxxi Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> *Bob* Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > If we go on holiday we usually leave in turd in

> > the pan for our cat too - in case she gets

> > peckish.

>

>

> or as a life raft for the smaller cat (a high

> fibre pre-holiday diet is essential for this)

xxxxx

:)) :)) :))

[Sue]

OOOPS have had a lot of wine and hadn't read the whole of the thread, DUH DUH DUH :)):)) :))

[Annette Curtain]

We usually put the plug in the basin and leave a tap on, then release a cage full of canaries or budgies (which ever are on special offer)

Cats seem fine when we returned.

[UncleBen]

Should never leave a pussy unattended

[bluecanary]

There's always someone who lowers the tone ...!

[LondonMix]

This really isn't the right way to treat a pet. They need to ask a friend to pop around and provide fresh food and water. You can hire a cat sitter who will come around and do this as well as changing the litter. They only charge 14 quid per visit and so really are not adding loads to the cost of your 3-day weekend get away and if your cats get sick they will take them to the vet.

Of course the cats won't die being treated this way but it won't be a nice experience for the pets and isn't really a responsible way to behave.

trizza Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Thanks this is really helpful . We have discussed

> with our friends. They were a bit defensive but

> said they thought there were loads of rodent

> birds like owls which their cats could kill so

> were essentially comfortable with the "food

> position". They also plan to leave the toilet seat

> open so the cats have a source of water. It all

> sounds ok to us.

[KidKruger]

If their cat is like mine, he'll be getting fed by every other neighbour on the block - whether you're away or not.

[stacey-lyn]

KidKruger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> If their cat is like mine, he'll be getting fed by

> every other neighbour on the block - whether

> you're away or not.

and they'll all be calling it different names. . . here Mittens, Mr Whiskers, Tiger, Mrs Meowsi . . .even paid for our neighbour's cat's op. Since wised up.

[Voyageur]

God almighty - the cat will be fine (and this is from a cat lover).

[JohnL]

Cats invite themselves into a new home if they are fed up of the old one.

You open your door, cat is in.

[oimissus]

so they leave their cat with no food or water? Seems a bit weird, you can get timed cat feeders, and dried food is fine to leave out for a few days, and how hard is it to fill a bowl full of water for it? Do they get the neighbours in to feed it?