New environment a problem for my cat?

[Turkeycat]

Merhaba! (Hi!) I am going to go on a two-week trip and I'm leaving my cat with a family who has not had a cat in a while. I'm leaving some familiar things, such as the scratching post, some pillows, the same food, and the same litterbox/litter. However, I've heard cats don't like new environments, so I'm just a bit concerned. I'm about to pick up my cat when I go home from another trip in a couple of days, from the vet's office where I'm paying for its keep, the first time it's been out of its environment, so I don't know yet how this has affected her. And my friends are doing me a favor, and they have nice furniture What do you think? By the way, you might find this interesting. Here in Turkey stray cats are EVERYWHERE. They seem to be the equivalent of squirrels in the US, except I don't know about their quality of life on the street here. My cat, Altin, was a street cat. Thanks

[Tina B and crew]

Hi...I have four cats, and three of those four I would not take to someone elses house for petsitting because I know they would probably not handle it well. My fourth cat is fairly easy going, so I wouldn't be as worried, however my preference is always to leave them in their environment. I have petsit for someone elses cats here in my own home with no problems, but they were kittens or very young, and they seem to me to adapt better than adult cats.

That said, if it is the only option you have then you are doing the right thing by making sure she has some of her own things with her. A few other things to consider...do your friends really like cats? Will the get angry if your cat does act out and has an accident on the carpet, scratches the furniture? Is there any possibility your cat can get out at their house? Do they have plants? Are they willing to take the cat to the vet if any problems arise?

There is a good post by Traci in Debbie's Cloud forum about petsitters...you might want to take a look at it. Good things to consider when leaving your cat. I think things should be OK for your kitty, especially if it did well bording at the vets. I wish you good luck! Keep us posted.

[Turkeycat]

Thanks a lot for your input, guys. I think the family in question is up to it but for logistical reasons (and avoiding 16 hours of bus travel, involving 16 hours with the cat in the carrier on the bus, yuck for both me and the cat) I've decided to leave the cat at the vet for another week. I hope this is a good idea, but the vet says the cat's fine and "don't worry". Should I make sure he lets the cat out of the medium-sized room (wellventilated and with familiar cat things) once in a while or is 3 full weeks in this room away from me just too much for the cat to handle? I'm a new cat owner and I don't want my cat to be psychologically impaired or to hate me. What do you think? Thanks again, Tina and crew.

[Tina B and crew]

Your welcome Sounds like this might be the best option for you. 16 hours of travel is a lot for the cat to tolerate. If I had to choose I think I'd do the same, opt for staying at the vets. If at all possible I would ask him if he could allow the cat out some. We have went away for a week and had one of our cats confined to a room with no harm done, but i'd rather them have some space to roam at least for a little while each week. I am assuming the kitty will be getting daily human attention. That is most important I believe Good luck!