Cats handle short absences far better than dogs — but only if their world stays predictable. Here's the checklist we use ourselves.
Before you leave
Food and water for the full stretch, plus one day. A gravity station covers this automatically; if you're using bowls, one per day of absence, in different spots.
Two litter boxes, freshly cleaned. The rule is boxes = cats + 1 when nobody's scooping.
Leave the smells alone. Don't wash their blanket the day before. Familiar scent is feline security.
A t-shirt you've worn on their favorite sleeping spot does more than any camera or gadget.
Windows and hazards: tilt-windows locked (a real danger for cats), toilet lids down, cords and lilies out of reach — lilies are lethally toxic to cats, even the pollen.
One night vs. a full weekend
One night: a healthy adult cat is fine alone with enough food and water. Two to three nights: fine for most cats, but ask a neighbor for one daily visit — not for the food (the station handles that) but for a scoop, a scan, and a hello. Longer than three nights: arrange a sitter. No device replaces a human checking that everything's actually okay.
When you come home
Expect either dramatic indifference or velcro mode — both are normal. Rinse and refill the water, top up the food, scoop the boxes, and the ritual resets.