Cat care while on holiday, dilemna

[Chailattelover]

New poster..! I adopted a cat a few months ago. All going well apart from we are going away soon for two weeks. I had planned to take her to my friend who Kindy offered to have her at his home but he lives in a high rise apartment where she couldn't go out, and she is an outdoor cat who is out literally all day every day.. I'm thinking now she might hate this!! Now trying to cobble together another plan which includes a neighbour popping in twice a day for a few days, then hopefully said friend staying a couple of nights to break things up, then my mum dropping in a couple of times a day for the rest of the time and possibly staying couple of days.. it's complicated but does this sound better?! Very nervous as we are away a while and she is the only cat. What do others who have just one cat do? I'm too late to book a decent cattery.

What’s your cat flap set up? Could you have someone drop in once a day, feed and let cat out on an entry only cat flap, with an automatic feeder for the evening?

You might get more replies on the Litter Tray board.

watching as I’m in the same dilemma and don’t know what to do!

Oh really ok thanks! Might post there then

Your cat will be much, much happier at home so I think you should go for that option. I use Trusted Housesitters www.trustedhousesitters.com/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtuOlBhBREiwA7agf1iVyw15iJQIZ2DaR2nSYAQ2VQVQBNs1SrDEAp5KOvteFPumc0isquhoC7nsQAvD_BwE
You pay a joining fee but after that it's free. I highly recommend them. All the housesitters we've had have been wonderful!

Personally I would leave your cat in their own home with access to outside as that’s what they’re used to, if at all possible. Cats are territorial and don’t like to be moved. They’re considered optional-social biologically speaking so they’ll be fine on their own with people dropping in to check on them & give them fresh food and water. Dogs and humans are both considered obligate social.

Thank you, I think I've heard of this.. so someone you don't know stays in your home and pet sits for free basically?! I'm a bit nervous about this option and also worried I have left it late to find someone as going away end of the month!!

When we go on holiday we have a cat sitter that comes in twice a day to feed and renew the water. We also set up a wee camera near the food bowls so we could see if they were coming and going as they weren't always there when the cat sitter was there.

If you can get friends and family to pop in a couple of times a day to feed and check up, plus a few days where kitty has company I would be happy with that.
I prefer to keep mine at home and people come and look after them too.

Your cat will definitely be happier staying in his own home with access in/out through the cat flap. Neighbours/friends/whoever popping in a couple of times a day to feed/refill the water bowl/give a quick stroke etc will be fine.
But be prepared for your cat to sulk for a few days on your return 😆

It depends on the cat whether they will be happier at home.

I've found it's about 50:50.

Currently my v outdoorsy cat doesn't really mind where he is and adapts quickly to cattery.

The nervous home loving cat totally fails to cope in the house without us in it. After twice returning to a very ill cat she also goes to cattery - she clearly doesn't like it as she spends her whole time hiding under a blanket, but apart from a bit of clinginess the first night she's back home it is much much better than catsitters.

Yes it's mutually beneficial - they get to stay somewhere for free, you get a free housesitter. We've often found house sitters just a few days before we went away so it's not necessarily too late. All the house sitters we've had have been really lovely people. Genuine animal lovers. They've left the house very clean and tidy and my cat has loved them all.
If you're not comfortable then I'd keep your cat at home and get friends, neighbours and family to feed him.

This is really interesting - how much is the joining fee? I've been worrying about leaving my cats and greenhouse in the care of our neighbours next month. Neighbours are very lovely but we're going for longer than usual and I'd rather someone was in the house!

I always thought I would use a cattery but when it came to it I knew they'd absolutely hate it and so I get someone to come in and look after them. Most cats don't like leaving their own territory so I think yours would be much less stressed with your suggestion.

I think it's about £129 per year. We go away a lot (family and friends abroad) so this is really economical for us. All the house sitters are checked and you can read reviews. We always have a video call beforehand. I was nervous at first about having strangers to stay but they've all been so lovely. I think it attracts a certain type of person.

Thank you @SallyWD - I'm seriously considering this. Great to hear you've had good experiences - I'll be similarly nervous I think but might be best plan!

Could your friend stay at your house ? Seems easier option all round.

Hey yes for me it would be for sure! Not so much for him.. he'd only be ok to stay a couple of days. I've also asked my sister and she could do a couple of nights too so I'm thinking if I have some for those few days then have my neighbour/mum drop in on the other days it might be ok?! Think I need a spreadsheet to make sure all days are covered!!

I'd be interested to hear how you get on! When are you going away? I'm a bit worried I might pay the fee and not find anyone so last minute... But I suppose I could use it going forward. Might need to convince DH first though

You could look at a website called a cat in a flat which has cat sitters who visit once or twice a day. Cats are generally a lot happier if they can stay at home and often don't need as much constant attention as we think they do.

Why not just get a dog walker to pop in twice a day and feed her?

I run my own pet care business and do this for loads of cats - I charge £16 a day for two visits.

We always used the cattery for safety, it's not fair to ask people to keep coming in twice a day too. They really are fine in catteries and they are kept secure. Anything could happen if left at home and allowed out.

I've always left my cat at home and got someone to pop in to check her and top up food.

It would be much more stressful for the cat to be moved to a strange house.

Thanks.. unfortunately all the decent catteries were booked up months ago, even before we got her! It's true anything could happen but anything could also happen when we are here. I'm planning to leave vet details with those dropping in.

That's very reasonable. I got quoted £12 a visit from a cat sitter, so £24 a day which I thought was a bit extortionate!

Catteries give owners peace of mind but I'm afraid they can often be a stressful and miserable experience for the cat. My cat wouldn't cope with leaving his territory and being locked up surrounded by lots of other cats.