Talk to me about cat sitters

[thingywotsit]

I've finally become a grown-up and now have two cats. But, I'm going away at the end of October. After looking around, I really don't want to put them in a cattery.

We've friends that live locally but feel cheeky asking them to pop in twice a day for over a week.

I've discovered catsitters. Tailster popped up as well as businessds. It seems weird letting stranger in to my home when we're not here thought.

Any advice? What's the best to do this. Even better does anyone have a recommendations - I live in South Manchester.

(I've added the obligatory photo of the new masters!)

[kirinm]

We use a cat sitter. I'd prefer it if they stayed overnight but I've been happy with them coming in, feeding and sitting with my cat twice a day - the cat is needy!

[chillychips]

For short trips in the future you can buy automatic pet feeders online / Amazon

[viccat]

It's a bit like letting a cleaner into your home when you're not here, or tradesmen etc.

Ask for recommendations on local FB pages or ask the vet's as they can sometimes recommend local cat sitters. There's also a website called Cat in a Flat where sitters have reviews from other clients.

Most adult cats without special needs (like medication) are fine with one visit a day. You should keep your cats strictly indoors throughout the time you're away as cats are much more likely to stray and come into harm when their owners are away.

[thingywotsit]

Thanks everyone.

chillichips those feeders are amazing!

[BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo]

I pop in twice a day for my neighbors when they are away, I think it’s nice they trust me with their pets I did not find it cheeky at all. I love cats so it was nice to have some cat cuddles.

[DiveBombingSeagull]

I would happily pop in a couple of times a day for a neighbour, but don't feel like I could impose on mine as none of them are cat people so I pay a cat sitter.

She comes in twice a day and feeds / plays / empties litter for £12 a day.

Last time mine went to a cattery they came back skinny and stressed, I did it as we lived on a country road and I was worried about them, but in a different house I was happy for them to be at home with a sitter popping in and a timer cat flap that locks them in at night.

[BotBotticelli]

I found a great one near me on a website called cat in a flat.com

[dameofdilemma]

We use a great local team of pet sitters. They feed, groom, play, change litter etc. and send us daily updates with pics.

Our neighbour is happy to do it (and we do the same for them) but our cat started pooing in random places (like on dd's school bag...) whenever we went away so we now use the pet sitter who showers the cat with attention.

So basically we pay a fortune for the cat to agree to use his litter tray when we're away

[Toddlerteaplease]

I have a cat sitter. But if I'm away longer then two nights they go to the cattery. And I'm far more relaxed with them there. They get spoilt rotten and magic makes it clear she is not happy to see me when I collect them.