Could i go away for 5 days and just leave out loads of dry food for my cat?

Question

And a couple of huge bowls of water? I have a cat flap for him to go out with (a magnetic one that only he can get in and out of). I dont want to put him in cattery/shelter as i got him from one which he had been in for almost a year and i dont want him to think he has been left there. Would he be ok if i left tons of dry food out? I dont have anyone who can pop in a look after him as i ive way out in the country and its too far for any of my family to come to everyday.

Answer 1

We go camping allot during the summer and we have 2 of those cute little oven mits.  We leave allot of dry food out for them that's in a gravity type of feeder and plenty of water.  It really is best if you could have someone just change the water daily, but they are such independant animals anyway, I'm sure they would be fine.

Answer 2

i've got three cats and whenever i go away i give my neighboor the key he just comed in and gives them some food. If you don't have the best relationship with you're nieghbour though ask a friend or failmy to check up on him. You can always take him to a cattery though.

good luck

hve a good hols!

Answer 3

Water goes stagnant very quickly in bowls.

Answer 4

i don't think so because something can go wrong like your cat might need more water or your cat gets sick or something like that. i don't suggest you leave your cat alone at home with nobody looking after him every once in a while, either leave him at a friends house or at a shelter until you come back home.

Answer 5

No, its not a good idea and i think its cruel.

Firstly, the cat needs fresh water daily.

Secondly, what about the litter, who is going to change it for the cat to ensure that its dry and clean? Cats l**k themselves in order to keep clean. Your cat might l**k up the dirty wet litter on his body and end up with intestinal problems.

Thirdly, unless the dry food offers a balanced diet, you might expose your cat to nutritional deficiencies.

Lastly, every pet needs our tender loving care and leaving them locked up in a house for five days is NOT the best way of showing it.

I suggest that you find a boarding home to take care of your cat while you are away. This will also give you a peace of mind.

Enjoy yourself!  

Answer 6

I wouldn't do it, the dry food would probably be ok but would you drink water that had been sitting for 2 days never mind 5?

Answer 7

Abandoning your cat for that period of time could actually be illegal and enforced by the RSPCA. It seems logical what you are saying and if the cat is semi-wild, it could be okay. But it is a chance that should not be taken. It is a living creature that you have commited to care for and if you cannot do that, then you should consider giving it to someone who can. I think if you could get someone to check in every other day, it would be more reasonable; or take your cat to your family if possible or very quickly make friends with a local cat lover who could stop by.

Answer 8

Sure, but he's going to have wild *** milk parties while your gone. Don't expect him to pick the cartons up out of the front yard either.

Answer 9

No its cruel how wud u like to b left alone for 5 nights not knowing if your family or friends r coming back to see u, if u hav to go get a friend or neighbour to check on the cat 4 u.

Answer 10

This can be known as animal abuse, espically if your cat east whatever is out. But if your cat only eats when its hungry then it might be okay. Before you go MAKE SURE that the cat is happy and content. Otherwise you may come back to find a very pissed or missing cat. Just be really careful about it and please dont abuse your pets!

Xx.Shaiya.xX

Answer 11

Yes you can and don't forget the water. He will be fine. if he gets hungry for something other than food he can go outside and fetch a mouse or a bird.

Answer 12

Cats can usually cope pretty well...but have a way the cat can go in an out for the food...otherwise, other animals may eat it up and then he would be hungry.  if you had a cat door...so he would come in for his food and water, he should be o.k.  Cats are pretty self reliant.

Answer 13

I don't think there would be a problem, if he is anything like my cat, who only eats when she is hungry and likes her water a few days old or better still rain water.  

If he does run out of food or water he will find some outside.

But be prepared when you get back he probably won't want to know you for a few days.

Reading some of the other answers, I can't believe some people who don't read the question correctly, for instance it clearly says you have a magnetic cat flap and you don't have any local family or friends who could look after it.

Answer 14

i think it will be fine i have 2 cats and recently went away for a night i had left loads of food and water for them, and due to situations out of my control i couldnt get back for 4 days, when i got back the cats were happy and still had food and water left.

Answer 15

You might get away with it, but if anything happens to your cat injury wise who would take it to your vet for treatment, can you get a neighbour to go to your house/flat just to check on your cat daily and maybe give it some fresh food and water....I can see your problem but there is no easy solution to your problem...Good luck

Answer 16

if you do that i would probably make it so he cant go out the cat door.  there is a possibility that the cat might think you are gone for good and take off.  also would it be possible for a family member or friend to keep the cat at there house while you are gone?  if they cant do that what about coming over just once during the week to check things.

Answer 17

I left my cat for four days and I put plenty of food out and water.  It was fine when I got back but the bowls were empty and the cat was hungry, so make sure you put loads of food out, I put 3 big bowls out and that wasn't enough.

Answer 18

since its only a short time that youll be gone why dont you ask one of your friends or family members that you trust to house sit and take care of your little one or see if they could care for him at thier home til you return.

Answer 19

NO!!!  of course not because your cat will just continue eating, and drinking and before your back he won't have any food or water. Ask a neighbour or a near by friend, give them a key and everyday let them check the food or water.    Hope I helped!xx

Answer 20

No, because anything could happen while you are away and when you get back the RSPCA may have demolished you door to rescue poor pusskins.

Answer 21

It depends on your cat.

One of my cat eats when she is hungry while the other will eat whenever food is available.  If your cat has self-control then I'm sure that would be fine to leave cat food out. Also, if your cat has claws its instincts will tell him/her to go hunt for food.

Hope that helped.

Answer 22

i dont think it is a good idea because if you give him all the food  he will eat much more than he should.if your family cant go to the cat why dont you bring the cat to them?

Answer 23

how many times per day does he eat , leave a bowl where rain water can collect also is there a pond nearby or a stream if so he'll be fine there . he'll be fine , close the internal doors , he'll wrip the place to shreds if he get's angry or lonely .

Answer 24

I would suggest try to get someone to look in for you, BUT if you can't and you're gonna leave him anyway, I'd suggest you leave some in his normal eating place, and then many other portions over the house in small containers, because this way he won't find it right away, but as he will be hungry he will go lookin for some. Leave him out a bit more than he usually eats. N when you get back, you better spoil the poor fella! lol

Answer 25

yes. Just make sure the cat has plenty of water.

Answer 26

i think the food will be alright cats will find food if there hungry, water might be a problem though if you could get one of those bowls things thats would be the best idea, don't leave a tap running if your cat drops something in the sink you could end up flooding your house!!!

Answer 27

No way! how would you feel if someone left you with a small stash of food and didn't tell you when they would be back? That is, in reality, animals cruelty, and your kitty can get taken away for it. cats need love and attention, and leaving him alone for 5 days is not only wrong, but dangerous. Have a friend watch him, or leave him in a boarding house for those 5 days, but absolutely do not leave him alone for that long.

Answer 28

It's not ideal to do this but if you must do, then you could maybe get one of those bowls with diffferent sections that open each day so the cat only has access to a certain amount of food every day.  The best thing you could do though is pay someone to come and stay at your house for the time you are away.  Surely if you live out in the country, someone would like this as a holiday?

Answer 29

Probably not, becaus eif it's there its likely he is going to eat it all within the first few days. I would ask a neighbor or close friend pop in && fill his dish everyday.

Answer 30

sure, a few bowls of water and a few bowls of food with plenty in them will be okay. any longer than that though would be too long.

dont forget to make sure there is plenty!

Answer 31

I guess you could, but if i was your neighbour im sorry to say i would report you to the RSPCA, if i noticed my neighbour had gone out for 5 days and not been back and i noticed the cat coming and going i would report them.