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Automatic Feeders & Waterers
I was wondering if anyone here has ever used those automatic feeders and
water dispensers for cats? I was thinking of getting a couple for my 3 cats as I might be leaving for Las Vegas for a few days. I am considering a sitter come in but don't know any I could trust as they would be strangers to my cats and me as well. I also would be worried that if I did hire a sitter to come in twice a day to check on them that they might not get food or water. This is one of the reasons I am considering getting automatic feeders and waterers for my cats. Is there a reliable brand out there? -- Cat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com |
#2
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Cat Protector wrote:
I am considering a sitter come in but don't know any I could trust as they would be strangers to my cats and me as well. I also would be worried that if I did hire a sitter to come in twice a day to check on them that they might not get food or water. Call vet offices in your area and ask for a recommendation for a catsitter. Vet offices have a reputation to uphold, and therefore a stake in who they refer, and have to make sure the services they recommend honest and reliable. Get several references from any potential catsitters you interview and check them all. It would be extremely irresponsible to leave your cats alone for several days with nobody checking on them (and having to use a dirty litterbox.) Many things can happen and even a day could mean the difference between a live cat and a dead one. I am a professional catsitter and just yesterday a cat I'm caring for got sick and I ended up taking her to an internal medicine specialist where she is at this very moment hospitalized with a feeding tube and an IV. What would have happened to her if she had been that sick for days with nobody to help her? I've had a couple of instances where a cat I was caring for developed a urinary blockage. Fortunately in each instance I was very aware of what was going on in the litterbox and the cats behavior and was able to get him to a vet immediately. If any of those cats had been left alone for several days they'd be dead now. Any number of other things can happen-fires or break-ins for example. At the very minimum you should have someone come in at least once a day. I refuse to accept jobs where someone wants me to come every other day. My cats require a lot of specialized care and the few times I have had to go out of town I have paid someone not only to care for my cats twice a day, but to live at my house as well. It is in the best interests of your cats and worth the peace of mind to know that they are being looked after every day while you're gone. Hiring a catsitter is the best and safest option. Megan. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#4
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Cat Protector wrote:
I was wondering if anyone here has ever used those automatic feeders and water dispensers for cats? I was thinking of getting a couple for my 3 cats as I might be leaving for Las Vegas for a few days. I am considering a sitter come in but don't know any I could trust as they would be strangers to my cats and me as well. I also would be worried that if I did hire a sitter to come in twice a day to check on them that they might not get food or water. This is one of the reasons I am considering getting automatic feeders and waterers for my cats. Is there a reliable brand out there? Part of the duties of a sitter is to ensure your pets have adequate food and water. Ideally, this would be someone you know. If not, checking references isn't much good... because no one in their right mind provides references that don't have good things to say. Word of mouth works well, talk to other pet owners in your area. On the other hand, your cats might be just fine for 2 - 3 days with an adequate supply of water & food. It very much depends on the nature of your cats and whether they have any medical conditions. I have successfully left mine alone for 3 days. She was much better left alone at home than being boarded. Adequate supply of water was supplied by a drinking fountain and bowls of food left in the house. It is a rare event this happens... she was left alone once in 5 years. |
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Joe Canuck wrote:
Unfortunately, I have an experience of exactly the opposite. Granted, you had ONE bad experience, but that is far from the norm and to make a sweeping judgement based on that is neither fair or reasonable. Hopefully you took action and reported the facilty to the proper authoriies and also let the vet know what happened so they don't recommend them anymore and no other cats have to go through what yours did. You also dealt with a boarding facility. What is being discussed here is a catsitter that comes to the home and that's a lot different. If you read my post you'll also see that I told the OP to get *several* references and check them all. Hiring anyone to care for your animals based on only one recommendation is never wise and a qualified and reliable catsitter will be more than happy to provide a list of references. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
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I have successfully left mine alone for 3 days.
That time, but what if something had happened? There would be nobody to know and help your cat. I have a neighbor who decided to leave his two cats for seven days with a big bowl of food and one litterbox. He called me at about 1 in the morning after several days had passed. He'd been in a car accident and totaled his car and wasn't able to get home. Of course I went right over to his house to check the cats and the food was already gone, the water was almost gone and the litterbox was nasty. Lucky for him I had access to a key and lucky for the cats they didn't have to spend several days without food and water and having to wade through a gross litterbox. I read him the riot act when he got back and he admitted what he had done was stupid and irresponsible. Now any time he goes out of town I come over twice a day and take care of the cats and everyone is happy. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#7
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wrote:
Joe Canuck wrote: Unfortunately, I have an experience of exactly the opposite. Granted, you had ONE bad experience, but that is far from the norm and to make a sweeping judgement based on that is neither fair or reasonable. I spoke from my experience rather than making a sweeping judgement. BTW, it only takes ONE bad experience to have a reputation ruined, a pet terrorized and one to become very cautious. I'd rather not risk a SECOND experience. Hopefully you took action and reported the facilty to the proper authoriies and also let the vet know what happened so they don't recommend them anymore and no other cats have to go through what yours did. You also dealt with a boarding facility. What is being discussed here is a catsitter that comes to the home and that's a lot different. If you read my post you'll also see that I told the OP to get *several* references and check them all. Hiring anyone to care for your animals based on only one recommendation is never wise and a qualified and reliable catsitter will be more than happy to provide a list of references. Experience has taught me that references should always be considered with a grain of salt, particulary since the person providing them will only provide references that have good things to say. It is not in their best interests to do otherwise. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#8
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#9
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Actually I am still considering the cat sitter. I'd be too worried if
something to happened to my cats. I was just checking to see if automatic feeders and waterers work. If I do indeed go away for 3 days I am planning on having the sitter come in once or twice the week before so I can see how she handles my cats. I do intend on checking her references. She sent me a list with 7 of them. She also is certified by NAPPS. I am not sure if that is good or not. This cat sitter lives a block away from me. I told her that I would probably be one of those people who calls twice a day to make sure the cats were ok. I am very protective of them and I have had several thoughts about just staying home with the cats and skipping the trip to Las Vegas for 3 days. -- Cat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com "Joe Canuck" wrote in message ... wrote: Cat Protector wrote: I am considering a sitter come in but don't know any I could trust as they would be strangers to my cats and me as well. I also would be worried that if I did hire a sitter to come in twice a day to check on them that they might not get food or water. Call vet offices in your area and ask for a recommendation for a catsitter. Vet offices have a reputation to uphold, and therefore a stake in who they refer, and have to make sure the services they recommend honest and reliable. Right. If you believe that, I have mosquito infested swamp land in northern Quebec I can sell you. Unfortunately, I have an experience of exactly the opposite. A place that was recommended by a vet office that turned out to be the little house of horrors for my cat. I only discovered this place was the "house of horrors" because I returned back 4 days earlier than expected and caught the owners with their pants down... so to speak. I'm certain they had intended on cleaning the situation up perhaps a day or two before my expected arrival back in town, but prior to that hell was out for recess. Get several references from any potential catsitters you interview and check them all. It would be extremely irresponsible to leave your cats alone for several days with nobody checking on them (and having to use a dirty litterbox.) Many things can happen and even a day could mean the difference between a live cat and a dead one. I am a professional catsitter and just yesterday a cat I'm caring for got sick and I ended up taking her to an internal medicine specialist where she is at this very moment hospitalized with a feeding tube and an IV. What would have happened to her if she had been that sick for days with nobody to help her? I've had a couple of instances where a cat I was caring for developed a urinary blockage. Fortunately in each instance I was very aware of what was going on in the litterbox and the cats behavior and was able to get him to a vet immediately. If any of those cats had been left alone for several days they'd be dead now. Any number of other things can happen-fires or break-ins for example. At the very minimum you should have someone come in at least once a day. I refuse to accept jobs where someone wants me to come every other day. My cats require a lot of specialized care and the few times I have had to go out of town I have paid someone not only to care for my cats twice a day, but to live at my house as well. It is in the best interests of your cats and worth the peace of mind to know that they are being looked after every day while you're gone. Hiring a catsitter is the best and safest option. Megan. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#10
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Well I don't intend of having my cats boarded at any facility. I am
interested in them staying here at home where they would be most comfortable. -- Cat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com "Joe Canuck" wrote in message ... wrote: Joe Canuck wrote: Unfortunately, I have an experience of exactly the opposite. Granted, you had ONE bad experience, but that is far from the norm and to make a sweeping judgement based on that is neither fair or reasonable. I spoke from my experience rather than making a sweeping judgement. BTW, it only takes ONE bad experience to have a reputation ruined, a pet terrorized and one to become very cautious. I'd rather not risk a SECOND experience. Hopefully you took action and reported the facilty to the proper authoriies and also let the vet know what happened so they don't recommend them anymore and no other cats have to go through what yours did. You also dealt with a boarding facility. What is being discussed here is a catsitter that comes to the home and that's a lot different. If you read my post you'll also see that I told the OP to get *several* references and check them all. Hiring anyone to care for your animals based on only one recommendation is never wise and a qualified and reliable catsitter will be more than happy to provide a list of references. Experience has taught me that references should always be considered with a grain of salt, particulary since the person providing them will only provide references that have good things to say. It is not in their best interests to do otherwise. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
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