When we go to Naples, Fl in Nov for the wedding, I am boarding our two dogs. We will be gone from Thurs. afternoon until Sunday evening. Here's the ?:

We have an indoor/outdoor cat. She has not used the litter box for months, even though we still keep it in the same spot. She potties outside. I want to leave her in the house for the 72 hours we will be gone, instead of having her in a cage at the boarders but am afraid that she with poop/pee whereever, instead of using the box again.

Do you think she will start using the box again while we are gone? Should I board her, too?

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 11:14 pm:

Keep her inside for a few days and get her used to it now and continue off and on until your trip. See how she does.

My cats would go in outside if they had the chance, but would use the litter box if I kept them in due to rain or other bad weather.

By Annie2 on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 11:17 pm:

She meows us to death to get back out! I don't think I could stand to listen to her, even for a few days of trial! LOL

By Colette on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 05:53 am:

Mine only use the litter box in the winter or if we go away on vacation. They never have a problem going back to it after leaving it for months.

By Vicki on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 07:20 am:

Yikes! I think I would rather put up with the meows for a few days than to come home to a mess! It is great that Colettes cat goes right back to the box, but I don't think I would chance it. I would have to try it or kennel her!

By Kaye on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 08:24 am:

Cats are amazing creatures, they do this whole house broken thing naturally (unlike dogs). I think she will be fine. I would make sure all the extra doors were closed so she doesn't have access to the whole house, like no bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 08:51 am:

I have done this before with leaving cat in the bathroom. I set up lots of food, water, toys, and the litter box. The bathroom is the easiest room to clean if there is a mess.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 12:40 pm:

Yeah I would see if I could segregate her to a section of the house with lenolium (wow have no idea how to spell that ) Leave her enough kitty food and a box, she will "probably" behave herself athough she may be plenty grumpy with you when you get back. Is it possible to have a neighbor kid come by every once in a while to check on her and make sure she has water and company? that would probably be good too.

By Annie2 on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 09:54 pm:

We have the water bowl that is like a water bottle in an office, so water is not a problem. I will set out several food bowls, in the kitchen; she is not a huge eater and only eats dry.

I will close off doors. I think she will be less •••••• off with us leaving her here than putting her in a cage for the days gone.

She will know something is up with the dogs and us gone so shouldn't be looking for someone to let her out.

I'm going to chance it. I think it will be less traumatic for her. We have left her home alone for three days before but she was strictly an indoor cat at the time. I was concerned about her going back to the litter box.

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know in Nov. how she did and what we came home to!