<p>My brother will be working near H and I for trainning. We have invited him to stay with us rather than drive 2+ hrs each way to his home. He has a cat who is elderly. Brother has been able to leave food water for weekend trips. My mom has offered to take cat. In our house the cat would have to stay in small bedroom. Room can get stuffy but fan will keep comfortable. Are there cat boxes/sand that don’t smell? I hate to upset cat in our house or leave him alone in his. It would be terrible if he got sick when alone. The hours we work would not allow brother to take cat to day care. How are the new cat litters,
do they really keep away smell?
We are dog people, he passed a year ago.
Thanks</p>
<p>The trick is to scoop and change the litter frequently, whatever type you use. One problem in the bedroom could be carpet or wood flooring–even the best behaved of cats misses every once in a while. (I once had a cat who carefully dug a hole and stood in it, frequently resulting in her completely missing the box.)</p>
<p>That said, cats generally are happiest in their own place. Can someone come in to check on the cat while you brother is away so the cat can remain home.</p>
<p>If I am reading this correctly, this is only weekend trips? If so, I would leave the cats at home. Have your brother put down an extra litter pan (or 2) in his place. He/she will be fine for that short of a period. I have left my two cats alone for 4 days with multiple boxes, plenty of food and water. I also have left a bathroom sink trickling and the TV on. Cats are pretty independent, they won’t be traumatized by weekends alone.</p>
<p>edit: I just reread the OP, and realized this will not be for weekends. How long? I would hire a local teen to come over once daily rather than transport the cat, especially since it is old.</p>
<p>If you do house the cat, just get the scooping litter, and add a bit of baking soda to the top of it, especially in the areas of the box the cat urinates in. My two urinate in a specific corner, of their box, so it gets the soda. Also you might want to put down a big area of newspapers around the box. When they “flick” their litter out, or even just on their paws, it is much easier to clean up that way.</p>
<p>You can also get a high sided litter box or one with a cover. We got a covered one when we traveled with our cat to Florida, in case she wanted to use it in the car (she didn’t) and also to cut down on problems in the rental (she has a tendency to go over the side, which isn’t an issue in the shower stall at home). I had both boxes out for a couple of weeks before the trip, then removed the old one and she had no problems transitioning. We kept the door of the cover swung up out of the way. We always use scooping litter and the only time I notice an odor is right after Tabby has been there, especially if she hadn’t covered her “litter” completely.</p>
<p>On the other hand she was not happy at all about the trip or the strange house (she is 15 years old). We use a cat sitter normally but this was too long of a trip. For an elderly cat, it might be smarter to use a professional sitter instead of a teenager, especially if there might be health issues involved. Our sitter is a member of this organization: [url=<a href=“http://www.petsit.com/]Home[/url”>http://www.petsit.com/]Home[/url</a>] or the vet might have some recommendations. I think the potential extra cost is worth the peace of mind, plus our cat sitter also will water plants, bring in the mail, etc.</p>
<p>I use “Everclean” cat litter, which I highly recommend. It does a remarkably good job at controlling odor. In fact, I notice no odor whatsoever. It is clumping and should be scooped daily. I’ve only been able to purchase it at Petco.</p>
<p>Cats, particularly elderly cats, get very picky about their litter and will not adapt well to a switch in brand or the box itself. The visiting kitty should bring his own box.</p>
<p>I pity the cat having to stay in a small room. It is a living, sentient creature that has needs.</p>
<p>I agree cats are happier staying home. Yes bring the cat’s own box if possible. Staying in one room in a new place won’t matter, it is already dealing with being moved.</p>
<p>I use the Tidy Cats with orange cap, “for small spaces” and scoop it twice a day.</p>
<p>Thank you. I didn’t realize cats don’t like to leave own surrounfings. I was worried he might miss brother too much. Brother normally works long hours- is workaholic. But came home at night. Has since realized he needs to take time off. I think previous cat sitter was exgirlfriend.
I think cat has a fancy expensive box but didn’t think he would be bringing it. </p>
<p>L</p>
<p>Cats can move. They do it all the time, but their house is their territory.</p>