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Original poster

Cattery or get someone to come in and feed them?

43 replies

Forgetmenot82 · 23/05/2021 19:18

Thinking ahead to August. We are going on first holiday Mon-Fri since we had the cats, they are about 1.5 years old. We were going to them in a cattery, but I'm worried they will be scared and unsettled. What do you do with your cats? What do you think is best? Get someone to feed them at home or put them in a cattery? TiA

OP posts:
Vegiereggie · 23/05/2021 19:26

Get someone in to feed.

TottiePlantagenet · 23/05/2021 19:30

We put our 1.5 yr old cat into a cattery - it was the least worst option for us. I thought she would be lonely at home on her own even if someone came in everyday - they wouldn't be in this house for long, and the otherwise empty house might be too weird for DCat.

Tk5787338 · 23/05/2021 19:31

We always get someone in to feed them; our cat sitter comes in once a day and spends about 20 minutes making a fuss and sets the automatic feeder for later in the day. We tried a cattery and they weren’t very happy at all and were quite grumpy with us when we came back. It’s also significantly cheaper.

astridforty · 23/05/2021 19:31

Trusted cattery, not one that also does kennels. A reputable one should be happy with a visit before you book.

Personally found this much safer and more reliable that either a friend coming in and maybe not being as thorough as you would be yourself or the risk of having an unsupervised third party service in your house.

Tk5787338 · 23/05/2021 19:31

Added bonus is there’s someone keeping an eye on your house while you’re away

beryltheperilrocks · 23/05/2021 19:32

Get someone in to feed..In my experience cats do not really like being moved....of course you know your cats best. We get our neighbours to do it and return the favour!

Toilenstripes · 23/05/2021 19:33

A friend who stays over several nights while we’re away.

Sally2791 · 23/05/2021 19:34

Get someone to come to yours, cats prefer their own space. Make sure it’s someone you trust obviously.

Sally2791 · 23/05/2021 19:34

There is a company called trusted housesitters you may want to look at

gurglebelly · 23/05/2021 19:35

We use cat in a flat and get someone in to feed ours, but they spent 4 months in an RSPCA pen with 2 other cats (one of which bullied one of ours so she basically spent her time hiding in a tube) before we got them and I don't want them to get stressed

mistermagpie · 23/05/2021 19:37

My cats hated the cattery. We used a really reputable one but one of my cats has a sensitive stomach (bengals) and he became unwell while he was there. They never called us or contacted the vet and when I picked him up he had lost 25% of his body weight. He was only 4kg to begin with, which is small for an adult male cat in the first place - so you can imagine how he looked. The cattery owner said they hadn't noticed.

Never again.

Since then I have used a brilliant cat sitting company and my cats have been great. More recently we have an arrangement with a relative who lives in our street - she helps with the cats if we need it and we walk her dog if she needs it. It's great! But failing this kind of lucky scenario, I would go with a professional cat sitter.

AlmostSummer21 · 23/05/2021 19:43

I did both over the years and had people come & stay. All have their advantages & disadvantages, but personally I preferred someone staying (despite the slight stain of champagne spray on the ceiling & a glass recycling crate that we couldn't lift 🤣) we had (20yo) staff member who loved our fluffiest family members, & enjoyed having our house to himself (well himself & his gf)

I cried leaving them at the cattery and worried myself sick at them getting out (rural location & shy male cat I worried wouldn't come back). It was a lovely cattery though and they went there a few times -all fine.

My mum came to feed them & spend time with them, that was a great option but I felt bad her trekking over twice a day (despite me saying once was fine. )

So, it really just depends which you'd feel happiest with. It's hard to enjoy your holiday if you're worrying about them.

DeusEx · 23/05/2021 19:45

I have used and would recommend TrustedHousesitters - it’s a paid for service where someone, usually someone holidaying or wanting to have a change of scene, comes and stays in your house and looks after your pets. The paid for element reduces the risk of theft etc. I’ve only had good experiences (2 cats + 8 chickens, in London - both chickens and London were sought after so lots of applicants to choose from).

Daydrambeliever · 23/05/2021 19:50

We have a lovely pet sitter who comes twice a day to feed our cat. She also let's her out for a wander in the garden and sits and has a cuppa giving her cuddles. She had a water fountain that the pet sitter switches off in the evening and the radio is kept on all day so she doesn't get lonely. I couldn't bring myself to put her into a cattery. She was treated badly in a previous life and it took her a while to settle here so being in a cattery would disturb her.

Daydrambeliever · 23/05/2021 19:51

Meant to say, pet sitter also sends us videos and pics and updates.

GOODCAT · 23/05/2021 19:51

Tried the cattery. She hated it.

Found it better using a cat sitter. She wouldn't have loved it, but better than being in a cattery. She tends to carry her toys around the house when we go away and I know she would have hidden from the sitter so would have been unhappy but less unhappy than in a cattery.

WombatChocolate · 23/05/2021 19:53

I dont think you need house sitters.

Someone who pops in and feeds them works well. It can be a friend (it’s not a big ask if they are local and the cats don’t have a litter tray but a cat flap and go out) or if you don’t have anyone to ask, there are loads of local pet walkers/feeders these days who will charge you to pop in.

If you know any teens, they can be good too - they like to earn a bit of pocket money and it’s not a difficult job.

When it’s friends, I always text half way through the week to thank them and see if all is okay, which I also think acts as a reminder in case they forget.

Our cats don’t like us going away and are a bit grumpy afterwards but found cattery and going in car traumatic.

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/05/2021 19:53

I used a good cattery, the one my niece found for hers is nicer than my first flat.

massistar · 23/05/2021 19:53

Cat sitter here too. I have a lovely one who fusses over my cat and sends me photos.

NeverHadANickname · 23/05/2021 19:59

I definitely preferred having someone to come in and feed them. Mine hated being in their carriers for a start never mind being away from home.

DeusEx · 23/05/2021 20:01

Oh, I should say - I have an elderly cat who first went into a chattery when she was 11 or 12. I was so worried. She was totally happy and the owner was smitten with her personality.

DeusEx · 23/05/2021 20:01

Worst part was the cat carrier!

GU24Mum · 23/05/2021 20:05

We use someone through Tailster -we've got two cats now so it's definitely cheaper but much easier all round especially as the house is also checked and the post picked up a bit too.

Beecham · 23/05/2021 20:13

Try home loving cats .co.uk
National franchise and in our area a lovely couple run it. They come twice a day, spend a bit of time stroking and playing, then WhatsApp a photo of video of cat looking happy! Cheaper than a cattery too.

Imo it's better for cat to be a little bit lonely for a few days than it is to be upset and stressed out at a cattery.

Bythemillpond · 23/05/2021 20:14

We have multiple cats and for them to go in a cattery not only would they hate it (they need a lot of room to run around) but it would cost a small fortune

We have someone who runs a small cattery and pay around £40 per day

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