Nancy wrote:
Thanks to everyone who responded with your opinions.

I have a security alarm system which nobody (whom I know) wants to touch
- so they have declined to check-in on my 2 cats while I am away. I have
one neighbor who is willing to help put -- he is an alcohalic and often
drunk (don't trust him).

Other than your concerns about "stale" water and "dirty" litter boxes, I
am still not hearing any good resons to be fearful about leaving my 2
healthy, adult cats alone at home for a week. As far as house fires,
lightening strikes etc. -- those scenarios would be tragic even if I was
home. So I wonder if your are transferring your human dislike of being
alone onto cats? My cats seem to sleep about 60% of the time any way.

I run off and leave the kids regularly due to the demands of gainful
employment.

On a daily basis, there's a bowl under the leaky faucet in the tub.
Older kitty discovered the leak on her own; I use the shower and
replace the bowl. Viola, fresh water.

If I were leaving for a week, I'd establish a couple more litter boxes.
(The nice thing about upgrades: I saved all the old basic litter pans,
so there are quite a few to choose from.) I don't scoop (actually, tip;
both daily boxes are the "roll-a-way" type) on a daily basis. The kids
would likely use the cleanest box each time.

My living quarters could burn down, blow up or away, or whatever any
day of the week. Since I live alone, there'd be no way to know if a
tree fell on the roof or a lake moved into the basement until I got
back.

Enjoy your trip. Take a cat with you if you can (this can be really
fun).

HTH

--Karen D.