How to Make Sure Your Cat Is Not Hungry While You’re Away

Having a pet doesn’t mean you have to throw away your social life. One of the challenges in being a pet parent is leaving your pet away, whether for a short or long period of time. You have to consider who will look after them, how to keep them entertained, and more importantly – who will feed them. You don’t want to starve your beloved cat and leave them feeling exhausted. Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure that your cat is not hungry while you are away.

Take a look at this guide to help you choose the best option suitable for you.

Option#1 Get A Pet Feeder

The best and easiest way to feed your cat while you are away is to get a food dispenser. As seen on bestautomaticpetfeeders.com, an automatic cat feeder will allow you to plan what time your cat has to eat. Most feeders can be set multiple times on the same day. Through this, you can manage and control your cat’s diet and avoid any health problems.

Even if you stay away for several days, you can leave your cat with peace of mind and security intact. Moreover, some automatic pet feeders have cameras installed so you can see and hear each other easily. You never have to worry about neglecting your cat and not having a social life anymore.

Option#2 Use All The Pet Bowls At Home

If you don’t have a plan to invest in a pet dispenser, you can consider using all of your pet bowls at home. You can use this method if you plan to go for a night or a shorter time and use dry food. Unlike dogs, most cats only consume food until they are full and don’t binge eat.

Estimate how much food your pet will consume while you’re gone and fill their bowl. Put the bowls where they usually eat, a little bit further from their water. Some cats tend to mix their dry food and water, which can cause them not to eat the soggy food. Observe your cat’s behavior first and see if this option is applicable for them.

Option#3 Fill Up Treat Dispensing Toys

The mental health of the cat is just as equally important as their physical health. Treat- dispensing cat toys gives both physical and stimulation to your cat during meal times.

You can also use this method if you are going away for a while. Fill up treat-dispensing toys before you leave the house, this will keep them entertained and satiated.

In buying treat-dispensing toys, make sure that there are no small parts that can be a choking hazard to them. Moreover, get a durable and easy to clean one to save you time and effort. Lastly, only fill your toy with healthy and appropriate food for your cat. Some of the best brands for treat-dispensing cat toys are Kong, PetSafe, Petstages, and Cat Dancer.

Option#4 Have Your Family Feed the Cat

If you are living with your family members or they live close to your house, you can speak and ask them to check in on your cat while you’re away. Providing that they have time, it will be easier and quicker for them to make sure that water and food bowls are filled. In addition, they can also help empty or change the litter box. Your cat will also feel happier seeing familiar faces with them while they do not see you.

Option#5 Hire A Pet Sitter

You can opt for this option if your cat needs further monitoring or you are worried about them. Cats are low maintenance pets, but if you are specifically concerned about them having separation anxiety, special nutritional needs, or just overall daily care, you can hire a pet sitter to do all of these things for you. A pet sitter commonly charges $15 to $30 for a 30-minute visit. For overnight pet-sitting, the price range costs $45 to $85. You can search online or ask for referrals for pet sitters in your area.

While cats are known as independent and low maintenance pets, bear in mind that they still depend on us to feed them, give them shelter, medical care, and love. But this doesn’t mean you need to lose time for yourself. With this option given, you can still enjoy yourself and ensure that their wellbeing is fine. In the end, the decision will still depend on your cat’s temperament and your personal preference.