Stressed out cats

[okiron]

Ok well this weekend we went to a powwow and camped out for the weekend. We had my brother petsit the animals. We were gone from Friday noon to Sunday night. Our 2 cats didn't eat, drink or use the bathroom the entire weekend. When we came home they spent the first 2 hours eating, drinking and emptying their system. We're guessing they thought we abandoned them or something. Any ideas on not getting them stressed out so much or should we just buy an RV so they could come with us? Lol.

 

[crtrlovr]

Try getting the Feliway pheromone warmer (available at PetsMart for sure, and I vaguely remember seeing one somewhere else, maybe Wally World??). They plug into the wall just like the Glade or Renuzit or Airwick scent warmers, but these release naturally occurring pheromones that have a calming effect on cats. I had 2 that would really go berserk when we had to leave for more than a day, and they'd eliminate in inappropriate places (natural behavior in the wild to help the "lost" family member find its way back home). When I used the Feliway pheromones, it worked like a charm. I came home to happy, calm cats and no "surprises" or pulled out wads of hair from tension fights or self-mutilation. I don't use it when we're home, but I do make sure to plug it in if we're going to be gone overnight or longer. It's expensive, but each little container lasts a LONG time.

ETA: make sure they're comfortable with the person you choose to pet sit, and DON'T change your bed before you leave!

(if they're allowed in your bedroom). Leave an unwashed shirt or garment (so they can be comforted by your scent) where they can lie on it. If they like catnip, leave some where they will have access to it.

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Wow!!
Thats rough!

I dunno...

I guess go with the RV, lol!

 

[okiron]

Thanks but we've tried Feliway before for other reasons and it didn't affect them at all.