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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Cattery

19 replies

LavenderDoll · 03/04/2018 18:02

We have a holiday booked and have found a really lovely cattery
But I think our little Ladybelle will hate it. She likes to be held like a baby and cuddled a lot and sleeps next to me in bed.
She's had a hard little life before she became mine and I worry
Is there anything I can do to make it better for her
I don't think I'm going to enjoy the holiday worrying about her
I was going to send my dressing gown to the catering as she likes to snuggle in and suck it.
I feel stressed every time I think about it.
I think I'm just looking for reassurance

OP posts:

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viccat · 03/04/2018 19:25

Why not get a catsitter to visit your home instead? Usually less stressful for the cat to stay at home in their familiar surroundings.

sillyswimmer · 03/04/2018 20:00

My cat is a really human sociable creature (spend lots of time on my lap and sleeps in our bed) who goes to the cattery. She wouldn't cope very well with someone only popping in for a short time each day and I know they spend a bit of time with them each day at the cattery we use.

She always acts terrified when she gets there and when I pick her up. I mentioned to one of the workers how guilty I felt leaving her there when she was so distressed, particularly as she doesn't like other cats. The lady said 'oh, she's fine when you're not here. She always comes out and says hello to other cats nearby'. I don't feel so bad leaving her now.

LavenderDoll · 03/04/2018 20:16

Thank you for the advice
I have considered a cat sitter. Her foster mum is a cat sitter
But I think she would get terribly lonely with only short visits each day.
I am aware that I'm coming across as a slightly mad cat lady but she is like my fourth baby

I think the cattery has to be the way forward. It reassures me to think they spend time with them... I may have to ask them to carry her round like a baby cuddling her (only joking)

OP posts:

viccat · 03/04/2018 20:19

I think in general cattery staff spend way less time with the cats than people imagine but maybe it depends on the cattery.

Wolfiefan · 03/04/2018 20:19

We use a cattery. I'm always worried my cats would get out when a sitter came round and I'm not sure they would come back for a stranger.
Some catteries allow you to pay extra for cuddle, grooming time or extra treats.

LavenderDoll · 03/04/2018 20:27

More than happy to pay extra for them sit with her and cuddle her etc. They seemed lovely when I went to see them.
I'll have to ask them questions etc

OP posts:

Chickoletta · 03/04/2018 20:33

I always buy mine some new catnip toys to have in their cell room. They love these and spend most of the first day at least off their tits.

Paris1986 · 03/04/2018 20:33

Our cat goes to the cattery a couple of times a year, and I remember when we first took her I cried as we said goodbye . She is fine though, always seems perfectly happy when we collect her and the staff have assured me she is quite content while we're not there. Looked around a few different catteries before deciding on this one - slightly more expensive, but has great facilities. The staff are experts and I'm sure your little girl will be in safe hands

LavenderDoll · 03/04/2018 20:38

I think using the catnip to get her off her tits is the way forward ha ha ha

OP posts:

MrsFluffytail · 03/04/2018 20:42

The cattery we use is run by the most lovely couple. When we drop the kitties off, we get a guided tour of each cat, complete with cuddles. Makes me think that our two must get so many cuddles while they are there. One of mine is carried round like a baby at home and sleeps in our bed. The last time I collected her, she ignored me and was rolling around demanding fuss from the owner. She wouldn't do that if she hadn't seen them much.

I think it very much depends on who is running the place - if you are still worried, ask for a tour and see how the resident cats react to the staff.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/04/2018 22:36

I said my two would never go to a cattery. But sure to their health issues they've had too. I worry a page of written instructions on how to tell the Apart, and their personalities. They were absolutely fine and the cattery sent me regular WhatsApp messages and posted pics on Facebook. I was far more relaxed than when they are left with the sitter.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/04/2018 22:37

It's a lovely place. And much cheaper than two daily visits from the sitter.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/04/2018 13:28

I got a message saying that fatty has spent 20 minutes sitting on the owners knee having her chin tickled. I was amazed. It took me two years to get to that point with her.

EachandEveryone · 04/04/2018 14:13

I love my cattery but hate the trauma of getting them both there? Ive had some real let down cat sitters so i wouldnt bother again. Is the cattery part outside or has she got a window?

JustMeAndTheCatsNow · 04/04/2018 18:58

Could you take her for a mini stay before your holiday? When my son was no longer able to cover holidays I was lucky to find very small cattery run by a lovely lady but I was still worried as our girl is very timid of strangers. But I was able to take her for 'day care' intially - dropped her off in a morning, collected at teatime and repeated the next day. Did the same the following week before building up to a dreaded overnight stay. Cant say soft cat enjoyed the experience much or even after several stays later (usually only 3-4 nights, couple of times a year) but in my mind the short stays at first was less of a shock for her than suddenly being taken to a strange environment and left for several days. It also showed me she wouldn't self combust with stress (calming myself was another matter!). I also got extra reassurance that the cattery lady was a safe choice by how she handled the situation so kindly and understanding - if she thought I was bonkers I never picked up on it!

Like a pp I also wrote detailed notes re cats likes, dislikes, even daft little phrases I say to her - anything that can help the cattery make her feel less stressed. And yes, do pack your dressing gown for her! Good luck!

LavenderDoll · 04/04/2018 20:10

I will go with a list of questions this weekend
Day care sounds good idea though

OP posts:

bananaboats · 06/04/2018 09:48

The first time we went on holiday we left our boy at home with someone popping in twice a day & it didn't go too well he's very sociable & was obviously on his own too much, came back to 2 leather couches ripped to shreds & scratched walls which he never normally does & he meowed at us for about 3 days straight on our return! The last time we put him into a cattery & he came back quite happy & settled back in at home straight away so def the way to go forward for us (like PP i did cry dropping him off though & probably will again! )

PretABoire · 06/04/2018 10:11

I used to work in a cattery and would always spend as long as possible with the cats when I was cleaning & feeding - some didn't want to know but others were gorgeous soppy things and I loved sitting with them for a brush and a cuddle. The staff will know/love animals and will do their best to make sure she's happy, I'm certain!

Could housesitting be an option? I've also used pet sitters who take the animals into their own home where they can be with the sitter 24/7, it may be worth looking into that (pawshake is a good website)

Nonibaloni · 06/04/2018 10:18

My oldest cat had a rough start in life and I worried he would think he was back in the shelter when he was at the cattery. They weighed him on the way in and reassured me that often they loose weight on their first visit. I send his own litter and food (cause obviously the exact same stuff they bought would be different).
When I called on day two he was in the office eating ham. When I picked him up he had put on an lb! The staff love cats and it showed.
I would send the dressing gown though and the cat nip.

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