The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Wet Food And Going Away
I was a first time caller to Cat Chat and have used dry food since my cat found me three years ago. When I go away overnite or 2 the dry food is left for her. If I change to wet canned food, how can I prepare something for her and leave it for a day or two without it spoiling?
Thank you for your information as she is my first and only cat. I also ordered your book.
Elaine
Dear Elaine
Thank you so much for calling into the show - it means so much when listeners get up the gumption to call in!
I appreciate your confidence in my advice about getting her off dry food completely and i do know that wet food causes a challenge for those who travel. However, one of the things that you may not know is that it is not really safe or fair to leave a cat for days. Even though some people can 'get away with it" the really kind owner realizes that a cat gets lonely (even if they do not show it) that they appreciate a litter box scooped at least once a day but preferably twice, and if any health or physical issues come up, having someone stop by your house means that any problems can be found early. So I w would urge you to ask a friend, neighbor or family member to stop by your house at least once a day when you are away and give your cat some affection, a quick scoop of the box, and of course his dish of wet food. If you can find someone who also has cats, then you can offer to return the favor. Another reason to have this cat visitor is for emergency preparedness: even for people who do not travel, there are medical and other emergencies that come up and it's so important to have a back up person already lined up who knows your house and cat and can step in with you might need it.
There are also professional pet sitters who will do all of the above and turn lights on and off and take in mail, so there is a safety aspect, too.
Having said all that, if you do not wish to have another person involved - or cannot find one - then there are coolers you can buy that can dispense canned cat food for a couple of days. Ask at a pet store or go to www.KVVet.com and ask whether they carry it (KV Vet Supply ships without tax or shipping charges over a certain amount).
Good luck to you - and please try to make that switch for your kitty's long term health.
Best,
Tracie
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
Note: Some of the answers to the questions below are explained in greater detail in PDF files. Go here to get the free Adobe Acrobat reader.
Click on the button above to download Adobe's FREE Acrobat Reader.
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
