cattery-free cats?

[cruelladepoppins]

So - my cats used to go their holidays to MiL but she has her own cat now and I don't think they would mix.

Once or twice when we have been away overnight I have left a pile of dry food for them, loads of water, and they can come and go through the catflap. We are a bit of a trek for anyone to come and feed them.

Has anyone else left their cats for longer? How long exactly [scared emoticon]. Issue with the cattery is not the cost - it's more the distance and the fact I think they will be happier here.

Please don't leave them like this - if they get ill or injured then someone needs to be able to get them to the vet. Can someone pop in every day and feed them and check on them at home instead of them going to the cattery?

I've always left mine, up to a week - though I do have a friend who works nearby to pop in & top up food, litter & water & generally keep a check on them.

I think the cats much prefer at home, so so long as they have plenty & bit extra food/water & some one to pop in on them, they are fine :)

I have a cat sitting service who comes and feeds them every day and makes them feel loved. I've never sent them to a cattery. It's not a lot cheaper but it's one less thing to deal with when you're going away.

I don't and would never leave my cat longer than a night and he can turn taps on and open cuboards to feed and water himself. He doesn't turn the taps off again, lazy bastard cat [wunk]

It's cruel and dangerous.

My mum feeds my cat twice a day while I am away.

my cats seem to get quite distresssed when they are left (even with neighbour popping in every day) so for the last couple of times I have put them into a cattery.

They are due to go in again on wed next wk as I am off to Italy

I wouldn't leave mine. Would never forgive myself if something happened and I wasn't there. Our cattery is literally just up the road though.

Used to leave mine but we work from home and have an employee who comes in every weekday 9 - 3, and she would come at the weekends as well - just once a day to do feed, water and litter tray.

Overnight is OK, but any longer I would say no. I am sure a cat sitting service won't be too expensive.

I think cats find catteries very stressful tbh.

PS - My cat is now dead so one less thing to worry about when going away, but oh I do miss her.

Thanks all - I can't believe I didn't even consider the possibility of them being injured or unwell! Will call in a favour and have someone come by to look out for them.

Mine keep on being banned from the catteries - we've been shunned from a total of 6 now... You tell the cattery they are escape artists, send a padlock with them and yet somehow they think I am a neurotic pet owner and ignore me, and then the cats get out and create havoc through sheer boredom!

Much better to have someone come in. We have a couple of catsitters, either a service or my nephew who is happy to swap student flat for big house with fully stocked fridge.

The longest we have left my cat is 2 days/2 nights but wouldn't leave her for more than 1 night now as she is old and ill and tbh it would have to be an emergency to leave her. I would ask my PIL to check on her as that is less stressful than her going to theirs for only 1 night.

Mine have twice been ill in a cattery so we use a cat sitter now (she also happens to live next door).