Cat came home from Cattery very thin

[MEgirl]

She's around 17 years old and was there for 3 weeks. I know it was a very long time for such an old cat but we had no alternative.

She's come home having lost a lot of weight. I'm not sure whether to say something to the cattery or just chalk it up to experience. It's possible she didn't eat much due to being cooped up. Would it be a good idea to get her check over by the vet?

If we have to go away again and leave her then I will look in to having someone come to the house to look after her.

I'd have probably appreciated a heads up from the chattery. Something along the lines of "we are terribly sorry but she was just off her food. We put meals x times per day but she would only 1/2 of it" etc etc.

Beyond that I'd chalk it up to experience. She probably just didn't cope well with the change and would definitely try to get someone in next time.

Thanks, I'll give them a call to check. She's been in a cattery before but not for over 3 years and she stayed with someone else after she came out. We didn't see her for months so I don't actually know how she was when she was picked up.

A good cattery would have hand fed her and taken her to the vet as well. Never leave your kitty there again!

My cats go to a fabulous cattery and come home looking healthier than when I dropped them the shame! For what it's worth, it's a Longcroft cattery. I'm actually surprised I can get them to come home at all.

Continental - hand feed a 17 year old cat?? Are you bonkers?? How would you even do that and if a 17 year old cat doesn't want to eat you can't force it.

OP - I'd put it down to stress. I'd also try to avoid catteries again in the future, esp at her age. Cat sitters all the way now!

I agree, however, that the cattery should have told you if she was off her food. Not on and worth a call I think.

We like that our cat gets a bit thinner at the cattery! It's his weight management plan.

I might be deluded and I know my cats are spoilt, but I would expect the cattery to build up a relationship with my cat, not just shove food at her with a "take it or leave it" attitude, no matter what age the cat is. I know my cattery would contact me if my cat wasn't eating and take her to the vet.

Thanks everyone. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

When I left my 17 year old darling for a couple weeks, the cattery had me fill out this form with her details, and explained they give extra care to cats that are old or have health problems.

I think you should say something, otherwise this neglect will just keep happening to other people who bring their cats there :( Poor things

I would get her get checked. She may have lost weight due to a medical issue. When one of my oldies got cancer she went from healthy to rake thin in less than a month. Don't want to scare you but it's quite possible the weight loss is coincidental and nothing to do with not eating enough.

Vet checked*

She's fine now. Has put the weight back on and is no longer rake thin. She does spend most of her time sleeping but still likes her early morning and late night cuddles on the bed.