Should I cage my stray outdoor cat for 10 days while I'm away?

Charlie should be able to tolerate a very large dog style crate or a cat condo for days to a week or so. Cats often stay in similar sized cages while boarding, however be aware that cats confined will need litter changed several times daily and he would benefit from interactive toys. If possible, he may do better if allowed to be closed into a room vs a crate. Other options may be long term boarding if needed, if there is a cat facility near you with larger cages/condos available. A cat condo that might work better than a crate: https://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Pet-Products-Premium-Deluxe/dp/B015RRSZXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522461943&sr=8-1&keywords=cat+condo+cage The larger the area Charlie has and the more toys/interaction that Charlie has will make confinement less difficult on him. Be sure to monitor him for signs of stress such as not eating, going outside the literbox or excessive grooming. I hope this helps. Good Luck and thank you for using PetCoach

Cats are very smart creatures, so I am confident they will figure it out. You can always lock them in at night before you go on your trip to see how they do. However, I doubt they will have any issues going in the litterbox since this is a natural instinct for them to do so. If you are overly concerned I would suggest using Catattract litter which acts to lure cats to their litter box. You can also place several Pheromone diffusers (i.e. Feliway) in the home to help Emma and housemate remain calm while you are away. Safe travels on your trip and best of luck with your two kitties.

Unfortunately if you are planning on keeping him indoor / outdoor, it is very difficult to keep him away from other stray cats. I would recommend ensuring his vaccinations (Feline Leukemia, Rabies and FVRCP) are all up to date to prevent transmission of these diseases. There are motion activated sprinklers you can get that will startle cats and keep them away from your property and you can find these online quite easily. Really, keeping him indoors is the only 100% way to keep him away from stray cats. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cats. They would likely enjoy being able to stay in their own home while you are on vacation. If your neighbor can check on them twice per day, this is most likely a good solution. She can provide food and water, clean their litter boxes and most importantly provide social interaction. Be sure to give her your veterinarian's contact information in case the need arises. The only other consideration would be to board the cats. They would receive more supervision, but it can be a stressful scenario for a cat to be kennels. I hope this information helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think Arlye will be fine. He may be afraid of the new person and the new environment at first but I think he will warm up. I am sure he will appreciate being at home rather than a boarding facility! I hope this helps and have a great day!

Most cats will adapt to a new home if kept indoors for 4-6weeks then allowed out supervised for 2-3weeks and can be quite an undertaking for a new owner once cats have been acclimatized to fending for themselves and you should check to see if the new home is in a position to take this on

How nice for G, that he gets to travel with you! :) While it's true that many cats would find this stressful, there are some very relaxed, confident kitties who don't seem to mind trips like this at all. As long as he seems relaxed and content, eats and drinks normally, etc. I don't see any problem with taking him along. As long as he is willing to use a litter box indoors, it should be okay if he doesn't have access to the outside for a weekend every now and then.