My hubby does the litter and feeds them in the morning. I do the brushing, snuggling and petting.

We have our neighbor's cat come and visit us on a daily basis. They let it out even in the wind and rain so it comes to "hide out". One day my older kitty came in, then our calico, then "little grey" (who doesn't live here) pranced in like it owned the place right after! I was like "hey, wait a minute, somethings not right with this picture"! ROFL

P.S. I forgot to add to maybe try putting an ad in the paper or bringing them to a "no kill" shelter. Someone will probably want them.

I know what you mean about taking care of a lot of pets. I have an elderly crippled dog who needs help getting around and has learned the fine art of whining. I love her dearly and am happy to help her in any way I can, it's just that unless we're on the couch, she starts in with the whine and I don't know what she wants--to go out to potty, a drink of water, something to eat or is in pain. It's beyond frustrating, especially because the whine is at a pitch that makes me want to tear my hair out. Fortunately my hubby takes her outside with him when he's home which gives her something to bark at. Our other dog isn't much trouble but our cat seems to think that standing in front of the computer is her calling in life!! Fortunately she's decided she prefers the rocks to the litter box so that saves some work.

When I had a cat, I bought an inexpensive set of long term self-feeding food and water containers. They actually look like water cooler bottles, lol. I got mine at PetSmart, and they are available in various sizes. It kept me from having to feed the kitty daily. As for the little box, you may want to save up and purchase one of those self cleaning types. I've even seen one that attaches to the toilet and plumbing and on a scheduled basis will clean the "permanent" litter and flush the dirty water down the toilet.
Just some ideas. Hope your mother is improving and continues to get better everyday. I also hope you are doing well and keep reaching out to us for help so as not to get too stressed.

I have 2 cats and 3 kids and am a single mom. My 10 year old takes care of the litter box (actualy it is one of those big storage tubs that are the size of a laundry basket) so that litter doesn't go flying every where and she has to fill it and clean it less often. And she puts out a big bowl of cat food, that last for a few days. My problem with pets is two things. 1)the cheapest cat food and litter are a 30# box of litter and 18# bag of cat food that is almost as big as my kids. I use to be able to carry them in to the house, now I can bearly carry myself into the house and they are to big or heavy for my kids to carry. 2) I love my cats and they love me and the want to sit on my lap or they walk on me to cuddle up with me and it hurts like hell! I couldn't imagin having a dog that would just be too much work.

4 cats sounds like A LOT!

I have two furry babies, and my boyfriend helps me with the cat box from time to time because bending over is a pain. I always need help taking them to the vet too because both of my cats weigh 15 lbs each. I usually need help buying cat litter too.

I've found my cats help me stay active - its like I have to take care of them and focus less on my pain and problems. But 2 cats is easier to take care of than 4 so I definitely see why this is a problem for you.

If you can't handle 4 cats, I definitely suggest talking to the ASPCA or another no kill shelter.

If you don't want to give them up, you might want to look at food timers if the biggest problem is getting up to feed them. They make these things that dispense food for them and you set the timer. I've thought about getting one because one of my cats has "midnight crazies" and yowls loudly at night waking me up.

I don't really recommend automatic cat box cleaners. They are more trouble than they are worth in my opinion. Because one of my cats is a big, small dog sized cat (she is huge!) I have a bigger litter box and have found I don't have to clean it as often.

Honestly, I don't remember how I managed with fibromyalgia BEFORE my dogs. They are such company and comfort for me now that I really don't remember how it was before.

Jon does most of the feeding and watering, and they have a doggie door so they can let themselves in and out. They're not the kind of dogs that need constant grooming, and we take them to daycare at least once a week so they get some good romping time and socialization.

When they need a bath, we do that together in our two-person shower. He washes and rinses, and I grab the wet dog with a big towel and make a game of drying.

They are SO worth the trouble - I just can't imagine life without them.

if not for my dogs; i wouldn't have a reason to get up and force myself into this horrid job every day. my pets keep me going. i have 5 dogs and a foster dog. they are my family. it's actually the 2 parrots i have that create more work for me. the dogs actually get me out of bed every day. feeding them takes but a few minutes of my day.
sorry, i know it's hard but like peace said; i don't know how i could live with this crap without my dogs...they are my reason for living.

I have two small dachshunds and they don't require lots of care...however they have accidents in the house which drives my husband crazy.

THANK GOD FOR MY HUSBAND CAUSE HE DOES ALL THE FEEDINGS ETC.WE JUST GOT 4 KNEW PUPS 5 WKS AGO AND THEY ARE IN THE HOUSE W MOMMA AND I TRY TO HELP WITH HTEM BUT IT TAKES ALOT OUT OF ME. IT;S LIKE TAKING CARE OF A BABY OR SMALL CHILD. SO I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ALL COMING FROM.....HUGS

If I have a hard time caring for my dog, my fiance takes over for me. I am never afraid to ask for help. However, it gives me incentive to get off the couch or out of bed when I'm in pain to take care of her. She knows when I'm in extreme pain, and will even lay with me 14-16 hours at a time and won't leave my side. I feel it's a 2 way street...she takes great care of me so I take great care of her. I don't know what I would do without a pet now. It's changed my whole life since I got her.

If you have too many animals, don't be upset with yourself if you have to give some of them away. Pets should be a blessing and not a burden.

Don't feel guilty, you do what is best for you. If you are overwhelmed it is best for the cats and for yourself to give a couple of them away. A no kill shelter is a good idea, they will be given a nice home and be taken care of.

I have one dog and really that is all I can handle, Often I have thought it would be nice to have more than one dog and have a rabbit again, I love rabbits, but I know what my limits are and my energy levels, and I just don't want to take on too much. so for me right now it is one pet at a time.

I have 8 dogs and 8 cats, 2 cats are in & out when they want to come and go, so no litter box ....2 dogs are my lap babies and I would miss them terribly if they were not here with me. The rest are all outside, along wih horses, cattle , sheep and chickens...some days I get out and am able to help with taking care of them,sometimes I am not. I do know that emotionally, it helps me to have pets..but I also have help caring for them..I would be totally overwhelmed if it was just me to take care of them all. If you are finding something to be overwhelming, then don't make yourself feel worse by feeling guilty about taking care of them all....so do what you can and take care of yourself first and foremost. :-)

I have two cats left behind by my daughter. I am not a cat person but I'm kind of used to these two, plus, I haven't seen a mouse or kangaroo rat in 8 years - not even a trace.

I have a feeder, like Dolphin describes (mine is up high on a platform out of Dane reach) and I occasionally give them a tiny bowl of half and half. If I forget anything, they're pretty good at reminding me.

I keep chickens for eggs but also for the purpose of making me get up every day to feed them. Their coop is a 200 ft. walk from my back door. With F, I think I would stay in bed all day, every day if I let myself.

My hubby and I have 4 chinchillas !!!! They are alot for us but I cannot bring myself to get rid of them. Chinchillas are exotic creatures and you can't just give them away to anyone, especially children. Its hard with Fibro and pets. We just share the chores as much as possible. Try to make some things easier like ordering food in BULK from a breeder. My dad built us two beautiful cages out of wood. Stained on the outside with brass hinges and plenty of space. That helped because the plastic cages are unsafe, unhealthy ( they eat the plastic) and cheaply made.
I think finding a good home would be good for the other two. Post an ad in the free paper or online. Hope you can find some relief soon!
HUGS
JBEAN