[laohaire]

We'll be gone for 10 days. We have 2 cats, both 7 years old. Typically our programmable thermostat is set for 62F during the day at 57F at night. Should we just park it at 57F? Maybe even 55F? Or will that be cruel to our cats?

 

[fek&fuzz]

I think the cats would be fine at 55. Will they be alone for all 10 days or will someone be coming in to empty the litter & check on food and water?

 

[laohaire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz Will they be alone for all 10 days or will someone be coming in to empty the litter & check on food and water?

Yeah, we got someone lined up to come in once or twice (I'm hoping twice!!) while we're gone. We've been gone up to 5 days before, but never 10.

 

[kamilla626]

I think 55 would be fine.

 

[MidwifeErika]

I think 55 would be fine. Do you have a southern facing window you could leave the blind open a bit so the cats could lay in the sun during the day? That way it would feel much warmer to them.

 

[cristeen]

We keep ours set at 60 year round, but then we don't get snow.

The animals don't seem to have a problem with it so long as they have somewhere warm to go... for us that means we leave blankets on the couch, and they're welcome to the bed, etc. Our older cat has even taken to sleeping on the heating grate that's right above the pilot light for the furnace. And we have several windows where the sun shines in and they can lie in the sun.

 

[tbone]

We went away last week and set the therm. to 55 degrees.

 

[lightheart]

I wouldn't set it too far, if any below the lowest that the kitties are used to. I would leave it at 57 all day.

 

[Purple*Lotus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristeen We keep ours set at 60 year round, but then we don't get snow. The animals don't seem to have a problem with it so long as they have somewhere warm to go... for us that means we leave blankets on the couch, and they're welcome to the bed, etc. Our older cat has even taken to sleeping on the heating grate that's right above the pilot light for the furnace. And we have several windows where the sun shines in and they can lie in the sun.

Yep, this.

We keep ours on 55 almost all the time with three cats and two humans

But DH opens the blindes on the sunny spots in the house, and we leave out blankets, plus they have their cat beds which are all lined with fluffy, warm towels. So our babies have places to keep warm. But since it is always 55 here, day and night, I don't think it bothers them too much. At night they just curl up with us to keep warmer.