Worried about leaving kitten in cattery

[neversleepagain]

We have a kitten who has been with us from 12 weeks old. We've booked a week away in February when he'll be almost 6 months old.

I am so worried about leaving him for 7 days in a cattery I didn't realise I would feel this way but I don't think I can actually leave him! Am I being ridiculous!? Will he be ok in the cattery or will he feel abandoned?

God I know I sound crazy!

[Toddlerteaplease]

He'll be fine. My two get better cared for in the cattery than at home. As long as you be done your homework and found a nice one. It'll be fine.

[ScreamingValenta]

He will be fine. If you're going to be using a cattery, it's better to get your cat used to it at a younger age. Cats don't have a sense of 'time' like we do, so he won't feel abandoned.

[TheScoresOnTheDoors]

We took our cat to a nice local cattery once but it wasnt for him. He was really stressed and lost a lot of weight. We then found a lovely local lady on cat in a flat who we pay to come and feed him if we go away - he's a lot happier staying in the house woth someone to come and feed him and give him a fuss. I pay for two visits a day, but that probably isn't strictly necessary. It's cheaper than the cattery.

[neversleepagain]

I don't have any personal recommendations for catteries. What should I look out for when I visit?

[cushioncovers]

I would ask friends for recommendations and then visit these places to see for yourself. Look at Facebook pages where you can see other peoples reviews on the Cattery.
It's natural to worry. I've put my boy in a cattery once it was a good place been operating over 20 years and had been recommended by someone who used them frequently. But I still fretted and cried all the way home after dropping him off. In fact it took the shine of off my holiday because I couldn't wait to pick him up. He was well looked after but didn't enjoy it at all.

[cushioncovers]

Meant to say my aunt has two cats and has a cat sitter who lives in their house for the week when they go away. It took ages to find her but she has turned out great. She's retired single adores cats and this is her hobbie.

[SoupDragon]

I hated it every time I've left a cat in a cattery but it is the best solution for us.

With one set of cats we had brilliant cat loving neighbours who fed them but I tried leaving them with a differentneighbour caring for them and it was a shambles - one ended up at the vet and then in a cattery andone disappeared for 3 days. Since then it's been a cattery all the way!

[happystory]

My vets has details of catteries on their notice board, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't continue to display them if they'd been found to be no good...

[Wolfiefan]

I volunteer at a rescue that also boards pets. I get to cuddle, play with and groom kitties. It’s lovely.
Look for clean and secure space. Warm inside. Space to wander. Enrichment.
Ours go to a wonderful lady. She would give old girl meds and made such a fuss. It’s a home from home!
I don’t use a sitter as my two are likely to dash out the house and not come back!

[Dollymixture22]

I am in the same boat. Thought I’d found a wonderful cattery - then they lost a cat! THey say the cat carrier broke - they do seem to be actively looking but it terrified me. I live in a city so all the Catteries are out in the countryside - miles away from home.

[ipswichwitch]

Ask at the vet. We got a recommendation from ours - they use it for their own cats so I thought it’d be a good place to start! When I went for a visit they showed me everything. One pen was in the process of having a deep clean, which they do after every cat has left, and by god they’re thorough! They showed me their (anonymised) version of their schedule which had the cleaning timetabled in. They have grooming schedules, cuddling/play schedules so no cat got left out. They really thought of everything. The accommodation is bright and airy, with each pen having an indoor and outdoor area - indoors has a comfy chair, blanket and heat lamp for cooler nights. The kids call it a cat hotel, and they’re probably better looked after than at home 😂

[StarbucksSmarterSister]

My old cat (sadly no longer with us ) spent 3 weeks in the cattery when he was 7 months old, while I was in Australia. He was fine.

Just do your research and visit several. The slightest bad vibe, don't go near it.

[neversleepagain]

Thanks for the tips and reassurance. We got him from a rescue centre which is a cattery too so my instinct is to go with them. I will call them tomorrow and have a look around. He hasn't been outside yet (being neutered and microchipped in a couple of weeks).

Glad to hear so many happy cats in catteries.

[Wolfiefan]

I’m oddly hoping for kitten cuddles again. The rescue I volunteer with had so many this year. Hoping they too come back as boarders. Would love some cuddles!!!