# Question about babysitting a cat. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077 "2013-11-29T16:34:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/21 "2013-11-30T11:03:59Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Please, please, don’t take Kitty to your house – cats generally don’t take change very well. Agree with this. Cats like routine; if this cat is used to Grandmother’s house, let it stay in Grandmother’s house. It knows the routine there. Show up, make sure that the cat has enough food and water, clean the litter boxes, and make sure that the cat is still alive. Outside of that, leave it alone. It will be fine as long as it has food, clean water, and clean litter. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/22 "2013-11-30T12:36:07Z")
Is your grandmother having her mail held while she’s away? If not, I think we have our answer. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/23 "2013-11-30T14:01:41Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > One thing to keep an eye on if you’re leaving the cat at your grandmother’s house alone for several days at a time: doors. Cats can close them. And shut themselves in places accidentally. I cat-sat for my parents’ 2 critters for a week when they went to Europe and checked in on them every 2-3 days (I have my own cat that hates their cats, so bringing them together wasn’t an option). The second time I stopped in, it turned out they’d somehow managed to shut themselves in the master bedroom, away from food, water, and litter box. They had completely destroyed all the carpet near the door trying to dig out. I don’t think it was for very long because they hadn’t used the floor as a litter box yet and were fine once I let them out and fed them (I hung around for a few hours to be sure), but it still scared the hell out of me. > > Get your grandmother to either close off some rooms and/or make sure there are objects keeping doors from being slammed shut by a cat racing around. Rocks, door stops, encyclopedia volumes, anything. _possible door solution_ If you have an old newspaper, fold up one section and stick it between the door and the door-frame on the hinges side. It works! (…but of course close off rooms that are meant to be, and if you go in them, make sure the cat doesn’t follow you.) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/24 "2013-11-30T14:09:22Z")
One of the [cheapest toys possible](http://www.intheholegolf.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Golf-Wiffle-Ball-Practice-Balls-orange-2.jpg) that most cats enjoy, even on their own. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/25 "2013-11-30T14:21:57Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Cats of all age love to play. I have a cat that’s 12, and she goes nuts on catnip. I had a cat live to be 16, and up until the last few months of her life, when she had a stroke that left her blind, she was still pretty damned frisky. > > Please, please, don’t take Kitty to your house – cats generally don’t take change very well. I agree with letting the kitty stay in his own home. A little loneliness is better than being scared in a new place. Even my 19 year-old liked to bat at her tiny mouse on a string. Older kitties may not tear around like maniacs, but they enjoy the mental and sometimes physical stimulation. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/26 "2013-11-30T14:26:27Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > First of all why does your grandmother have only one cat? That’s cruel. As soon as she leaves, go to the nearest shelter and get another cat, preferably an altered adult. By the time your grandmother returns the cats will have established their routine, and she wouldn’t have the heart to separate them. Or she may not even notice. What a horrible idea!! You don’t get an animal for someone without their permission! You can’t necessarily introduce cats in ten days, either. A lot of cats benefit from having another cat in the home, but there are plenty at shelters who need be the only cat. This may be one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/27 "2013-11-30T14:53:26Z")
Bringing another cat into the house without a Human there full time is stupid beyond measure. No way would you want to just bring in a new cat, dump it in the house and walk away trusting that everything will work out. That would be unbelievably stupid and cruel. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/28 "2013-11-30T15:58:36Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > First of all why does your grandmother have only one cat? That’s cruel. As soon as she leaves, go to the nearest shelter and get another cat, preferably an altered adult. By the time your grandmother returns the cats will have established their routine, and she wouldn’t have the heart to separate them. Or she may not even notice. Either this is a whoosh, or you really don’t understand cats. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/29 "2013-11-30T16:18:02Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > First of all why does your grandmother have only one cat? That’s cruel. As soon as she leaves, go to the nearest shelter and get another cat, preferably an altered adult. By the time your grandmother returns the cats will have established their routine, and she wouldn’t have the heart to separate them. Or she may not even notice. Nominations for worst advice ever given are now closed folks. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/30 "2013-11-30T21:29:24Z")
You are babysitting the cat for its health, safety and welfare, and the peace of mind of your grandmother. You are not doing it based on your convenience. You visit the cat in its home. Daily. Water it. Feed it. Attempt to give it comfort,even if it hides from you the whole time for each of your visits. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/31 "2013-11-30T21:34:54Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > First of all why does your grandmother have only one cat? That’s cruel. As soon as she leaves, go to the nearest shelter and get another cat, preferably an altered adult. By the time your grandmother returns the cats will have established their routine, and she wouldn’t have the heart to separate them. Or she may not even notice. Not only is it a really, REALLY terrible idea to give someone an animal without their permission, but to do so when they already HAVE one, merely because you think her cat might be better off with a friend, is such a moronic notion I can’t believe anyone would actually suggest it. We have 5 cats. Of them, 4 get along, but Maggie absolutely hates all of the others, and isn’t afraid to show it. What happens if you got a cat like that? She’s a very loving, affectionate cat when it comes to humans. But she loathes all other animals. Kitty’s been an only cat for 12 years – she’ll manage. You might SUGGEST it to Grandma, but don’t just spring it on her. Not unless you want to see the cat end right back at the shelter. Jesus, I cannot even! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/32 "2013-11-30T21:37:54Z")
I have left my cats alone for as long as a week. Granted, they have each other for company. But cats don’t need a whole lot of babysitting as long as you leave out enough water and food and keep the cat boxes relatively clean. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/33 "2013-11-30T21:48:30Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > First of all why does your grandmother have only one cat? That’s cruel. As soon as she leaves, go to the nearest shelter and get another cat, preferably an altered adult. By the time your grandmother returns the cats will have established their routine, and she wouldn’t have the heart to separate them. **Or she may not even notice.** Just to make this advice worse than it is, get a cat that looks _exactly_ like the current one. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/34 "2013-12-01T01:26:59Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Just to make this advice worse than it is, get a cat that looks _exactly_ like the current one. And swap them. See if she notices then. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/35 "2013-12-01T06:09:25Z")
I would really appreciate if panache would come back and please explain what kind of joke he was going for with that post. I honestly cannot still believe he even made it. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/36 "2013-12-01T06:17:52Z")
If she has the machines and won’t mind you doing so, take your laundry over and use that time to hang w/ the kittie in their own home. They take better to new people than new homes in my experience. Panache is obviously quite wrong; a cat should have a bird for a new pet friend. Make sure it looks just like the cat. See if she notices. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/37 "2013-12-01T07:42:03Z")
Visit daily, for as long as possible (unless the cat turns out to hate you. Rinse out water bowl, refill. top off food (assuming open-feed). Clean box at least daily, preferably 2x daily. Biggie: make at least eye contact - know where it is, if it is hurt or in danger. Ask what toys it likes, and try to engage is playtime or lap time. Bond as much as possible to minimize its sense of abandonment. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/38 "2013-12-01T07:49:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Not only is it a really, REALLY terrible idea to give someone an animal without their permission, but to do so when they already HAVE one, merely because you think her cat might be better off with a friend, is such a moronic notion I can’t believe anyone would actually suggest it. > > We have 5 cats. Of them, 4 get along, but Maggie absolutely hates all of the others, and isn’t afraid to show it. What happens if you got a cat like that? She’s a very loving, affectionate cat when it comes to humans. But she loathes all other animals. > > Kitty’s been an only cat for 12 years – she’ll manage. You might SUGGEST it to Grandma, but don’t just spring it on her. Not unless you want to see the cat end right back at the shelter. > > Jesus, I cannot even! :rolleyes: Really? Cuz I’m pretty sure the advise to run right out and get another cat was a joke. I certainly read it as such. Geez, cat people certainly do get their panties in a bunch way too easily… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/39 "2013-12-01T09:39:50Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > My grandmother will be gone for 10 days on one of her outlandish cruise ship vacations. > > I’ve been asked to watch her cat. The question is whether I should bring the cat to my house for 10 days, or visit him periodically at my grandmother’s place. > > He’s an indoor cat. On one hand, the change of location would disrupt his routine. On the other hand, it could get lonely for 10 days without anyone at the house. > > Thoughts? Cats tend to be pretty self-sufficient and not as dependent on social contact as dogs. They do tend to hate travel and new places. Probably better to let him stay home. Would you staying at your grandmother’s place while cat-sitting be an option? That way, the cat gets some companionship without the upheaval of a temporary move. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077/40 "2013-12-01T12:46:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Cats tend to be pretty self-sufficient and not as dependent on social contact as dogs. Please tell this to my four cats. My husband is on a hunting trip, and all four of them are upset that he’s not here, even though I am here. The younger female cat in particular misses him badly, and she’s been staring at the side door, wailing that her daddy’s not home yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-babysitting-a-cat/675077.md?page=3)