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Original poster

going away for 3 weeks in the summer - cattery or 'pet sitter'?

15 replies

geekgirl · 22/04/2008 20:11

Just pondering what to do with our cat whilst we're away for 3 weeks in the summer holidays. I was originally going to go for the pet sitting service option because until a few weeks ago we had chickens, too, but now the chickens have all been taken by the fox so we've just got the cat.
The pet sitting service comes in once a day to fill up food/water and stroke cat if he's in. It's more expensive but not too bad really - £7 for weekdays, £11 Sat/Sun. It's not really an issue - just want the cat to be happy really.

He's a young cat and likes the outdoors as much as lounging on the sofa. What do you think? I'm veering towards the pet sitter really, I guess...

OP posts:

choufleur · 22/04/2008 21:10

we've just booked a pet sitter for our hols. not done it before so not sure what it will be like, but imagine it's got to be better than the cats being put in a cattery (which one of our cats absolely hates as he's normally out and about roaming his territory so hates being locked up).

LittleMissNorty · 22/04/2008 21:11

mmmmI go for the cattery...he's not a fan but I know he's safe and looked after....

lostinfrance · 22/04/2008 21:15

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster

geekgirl · 22/04/2008 21:16

I'm worried that he'll be unhappy in the cattery. Also, we had a cat once that came down with cat flu after staying in a cattery (despite vax being up-to-date) and nearly died

OTOH, would like to know he's safe. I'm worried that the pet sitter might never see him

OP posts:

LittleMissNorty · 22/04/2008 21:19

That's why I use a cattery otherwise I'd be texting every day..."have you seen him" "Is he ok".....I would worry myself silly if she said she hadn't seen him....although they don't like being locked up, they can get fresh air, and are safe and well and get vet attention if required....and where I take mine, he gets plenty of attention as well

WigWamBam · 22/04/2008 21:26

I took my cat to a cattery for a weekend once. We came back to a depressed, unhappy, nervous cat who was riddled with fleas and hadn't eaten for the entire time we had been away. I wouldn't use a cattery again if my life depended on it.

Cats become very attached to places - much more so than to people - so if you can, it would be nicer for him to stay at home and have a pet sitter. Even if he never sees the pet sitter, as long as he is fed he will be happier at home than in a cattery.

Ripeberry · 22/04/2008 21:30

We went away for almost 3 weeks back in March and our two cats were put in a cattery as we could not trust them not to fill the house with dead mice and baby rabbits.
They have spent most of March destroying a shrew familly (5 of the poor creatures) and at least 10 baby rabbits.
Not a good thing for a sitter to have to deal with .
So i think if your cat is a hunter go for the cattery.

Orinoco · 22/04/2008 21:48

Message withdrawn

pinkyminky · 22/04/2008 21:52

We had a killer of a cat who was always out hunting, but when we went on a long holiday we had to put him in local cattery. He luurved it. He was very spoilt and pampered. We couldn't believe it- we thought he'd hate it. I'd find a really comfy cattery, at least you know he's safe- they don't always take to strangers coming in.

eekamoose · 22/04/2008 22:05

We have always chosen a cat sitter because its just such hell getting our cat into a basket, plus its another job to do when you have a zillion other things to do pre-holiday. I also thought he would be happier in his own environment, and so he has been - the amount of fluff that has to be cleaned up off sofas/carpets is unbelievable when you see 2 weeks worth at once!

Cost is similar.

Our cat sitter also waters the plants (indoors and patio) and keeps an eye on the house. She has the number for our vets and would take him in if needed. I'm sure she would also clear away dead rodents if necessary! She is a cat lover and so we love her.

(its a bit like deciding if your child will be better off with a CM/nursery when you're working, isn't it?)

Thankyouandgoodnight · 23/04/2008 09:25

I 'employ' very small tiny children to look after ours - i.e. a local mum does it and I give her money for either her or the toddlers money box(es) and I pay £5 a day. The kids love it and my cats are happy.

Thankyouandgoodnight · 23/04/2008 09:28

I also used to work in a cattery when I was younger and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised. Their areas are cleaned daily, so with that they get lots of company and things to watch and people to listen to and we always played and stroked the ones that wanted to be and just chatted away gently as we moved around anyway. They have lots of toys and things to play with and nests and safe areas and high areas etc and if they don't eat what they're offered, they try different things ending up with poached chicken if needs be!

MummyDoIt · 23/04/2008 09:31

We've used both - cattery and pet-sitter - and pet-sitter was definitely the best. The cats were much happier in their own home and we had the added security of knowing someone was checking on the house, taking in post, etc.

dripping · 23/04/2008 09:43

they probably get more attention in a cattery, because they'll be someone around more often - does it have outdoor runs? Used to work in a vets which took in cat boarders - just had small cages, no access to outside at all, and in a couple of branches didn't even have natural light, so were in darkness over the weekends. definitely have a look. depends on the cat - whether their the stressful type or fairly laid back

Lovesdogsandcats · 23/04/2008 20:52

tried both and will never use a cattery again.
cats HATE being away from their territory (you are only a part of that) so going in a cattery is extremely stressful.

I have a cat sitter and this mimimizes stress.

Do a google search and you will see that cats really should be kept at home.

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