Leaving for vacation and kind of freaking out :(

[PaperLantern]

I'm leaving for Jamaica. I'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon, and arriving back at my house Friday morning. I'll basically be completely gone for 5 days. My mom lives with me and will be caring for my GCC, Chubby, while I'm gone. She knows how to clean his cage, change his food and water, give him fresh foods (veggies, fruits), and he steps up for her so she will be able to exercise him a little.

She is not comfortable with giving him cuddles, however, because he can be a bit nippy with her. Will he be ok without cuddles for 5 days?

He is alone with my mom 3-5 days a week from 8am-5pm when I work, and I've left him with my mom overnight before. I'm just having a lot of anxiety, worrying that he will be sad and will starve himself to death, or that he will get sick. I even left my mom the name and number of the emergency vet just in case.

Should I worry? Has anyone ever left their bird with a sitter for this long? My mom is basically home all day, so he won't be alone, he will just be without me.

 

[Merlee]

I have gone on vacation and left my bird in my neighbor's care. A week won't hurt to be without cuddles. Your bird will be just fine with your mom because the bird knows her. Go and enjoy your vacation.

 

[No_where1976]

Hi PaperLatern! I left Phoenix for 4 days. My sister came by and feed him twice a day. It was the best option I had. I was anxious too but Phoenix was just fine when I got home! Yours will be too! I left all of Phoenix's favorite foods pre packaged and ready to go so all she had to do was switch out bowls and wash them when necessary (I have a bunch). Enjoy your vacation!

 

[PaperLantern]

Thanks guys! I'm just so OCD with Chubby, I watch everything he eats, plays with, does, etc. I'm hoping I can enjoy my trip without freaking out so much, lol.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Don't worry about Chubby. Your mom won't let anything happen to him. She can't take your place with love and cuddles, but she's a mom and she's his grand-mom and she'll make sure he's safe and cared for as best possible. Pritti has gone as long as two weeks boarding and wasn't any worse for the wear and was his usual self upon return.

Since your mom lives with you, when you get back you might want to start working with the two of them a lot to get them comfortable and very trustful with each other. I did that with my mom and it's AMAZING how he'll walk up to her and want to climb on her and snuggles fully in her hand, follows her around, etc.

 

[Kalidasa]

Lol you never know, you might come back to them being new BFF's!

 

[No_where1976]

Lol you never know, you might come back to them being new BFF's!

That's sorta what happened here. My sister is not a bird person but her and Phoenix formed a bond. He loves to talk to her! Makes me happy to see!

 

[PaperLantern]

Aww I would be happy if they formed a closer bond ! As long as he doesn't start ignoring me hahaha

But seriously, thanks guys, I'm glad to know people have left their birds for longer than 5 days and they survived.

 

[Jayyj]

Worst possible time to start this thread! I'm going away for a week very soon, I have a friend house sitting so the bird will have company and care but I'm dreading leaving her. I'm sure it will be ok...

 

[PaperLantern]

I just got back from Jamaica! Chubby did very well, I just weighed him and he hasn't lost any weight, his cage is clean, and he seems happy. He actually did bond with my mom and she was able to cuddle him a bit. Since I got back he has been stuck to me like glue, and only wants to cuddle. Thanks everyone!