Sometimes I need a cat sitter...

Theres just me and the kitty. Hes an indoor cat but does get taken out for walks. Hes my buddy, my baby, my angel and I adore him but every now and again I wish I had someone that could take him and entertain him or he had somewhere different to visit...people take their dogs to be `babysat' Hes very smart and very vocal, always chattering about something or calling me to go to him. He is extraordinary Im not exaggerating. Every now and again I just need a little peace (his latest habit is waking me up at 6am because he can hear the birds as its light then) plus I need my lie ins when I have a day off. Sometimes Im sitting reading and he will yowl to get whatever he wants til I move then start again for something, very often its that he wants me to go and lie upstairs on the bed with him...yes really, hes a big baby. Im sure if he had a fellow cat buddy he would be different but its not feasible given that I houseshare and I only think you should have them if you can afford their life care.I couldnt afford 2.

I feel a rubbish cat owner, that I fail him because he doesnt go out (and get killed like 3 have already around here in a year) and that he has no cat friend to play with. I love cats but maybe I shouldnt have him? I am very low lately and this is making me worse.

Maybe if you get one of those lights or feathers on a long stick, so you can just sit there and kitty can chase the feathrr or light til she gets more tired?

Thanks Hankster but..he has his playtimes too. He either plays with his toys himself or gets me to play with him by hiding and zooming and staring at me with crazy eyes, preceded by alot of calling to get me to go to him. Hum sigghh.

it;s for the best that he does not go out, it's much safer indoors..i never ever let my kitty out, if something happened to my baby i would just die!! she also does not have a cat friend to play with but she gets on just fine..my baby is very very vocal too! those are the fun ones, she doesn't need any cat friends she's ok and i'm sure your baby is just fine too, keep him inside where it's safe and you won't regret it!

I have 3 and one is a bit senile. He needs a lot of attention and another demands attention too. It can be a handful to deal with.

Maybe you should not come to him when he calls. This just trains him to be more vocal because it works for him, it gets you to come running to him. He has you well trained, really.

I think you are doing fine with your kitty. My daughter has two cats and they have moments when they bug her too. Her cats are both indoor cats and they are fine with that. It is safer for cats to be inside IMHO, often they can get in trouble if let out and some often fall prey to coyotes too. Your kitty will get used to whatever routine you can manage, you love him, he is loved and cared for, don't you worry.

As everyone else said, definitely don't feel bad about keeping your cat indoors. Not only is it MUCH safer for the cat (Predators, cars, evil people, other cats and the deadly diseases they can carry and spread are very dangerous) But also much safer for other wildlife:
http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/.../predation.pdf

To me you sound like a great owner, I think we all get that feeling sometimes, that we just need a break from our pets no matter how great they are. Maybe try getting something he could use to entertain himself when you feel like this? When I get this feeling I give my dog a bone which keeps her quiet and happy for a while which gives me that "Break"

You could try setting down some catnip, or using some catnip spray on something (My cat LOVED catnip spray on a paper bag or in a box) hiding some treats, putting down a fun toy he can play with by himself, ect.

Hopefully this helps!

From your post, you sound like a wonderful cat owner. I guilt-trip myself about my pets constantly and my guilt causes me to enjoy them less. Please try not to feel guilty...I have a feeling your kitty is very, very happy to live with you, and is safe! It's natural to want a break! Some of my cats are quite elderly and very, very needy (for example they want to climb on me when I'm eating because they forget they just ate). I adore my cats, absolutely love them so much, but yes - sometimes when I eat away form home it is a relief to finish my meal without kitties climbing all over me. The break is nice.

Thanks all for your lovely supportive posts. I can assure you I will never intentionally let him out. He has been an indoor kitty since I rescued him 6 yrs ago(the rescue told me to keep as indoor kitty as he was in danger of being stolen by previous owners) and Im a total convert to this now. I advocate indoor living for kitties to all.

Good to know Im not the only one that can see they can be quite demanding. Its like they are kittens forever once they have a human parent. Really though Im glad he feels he can come to me and get my attention whenever he wants. When I first got him he was so distant, so detached it was very sad, he couldnt communicate at all. I guess its because no one had ever had time for him or put him first. I do and the result is he trusts and loves me very much. Im very lucky.

I do try to make his life interesting and he has 2 gardens with ponds to walk around on his lead and theres sheds and greenhouses for him to nosey in. He even goes into the house nextdoor lol. Im going to buy him a childs pop up tent (usually 3"x3" and has a design on the outside if you know what Im talking about) to go into the conservatory in the house, he loves these as he had one before but it broke. He like to hide in it and watch through the windows. He feels safe and in his own little domain then.