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Original poster

Cattery vs neighbour feeding

9 replies

Rollergirl1 · 17/07/2012 16:30

We're going on holiday for 2 weeks next month. It will be the first time that we are leaving our 10 month old cat for a significant amount of time. I have a 16yr old neighbour who our cat is very familiar with (she babysits for the kids and has fed the cat when we've been away for a few days in the past) but I think 2 weeks is a long time to ask someone to feed a cat twice a day and also a long time for the cat to be on his own for. We also live on a fairly busy road and so would be worried about him straying because he's bored and lonely and then getting hit by a car and nobody even knowing that he's missing.

So purely from a safety point of view I know that a cattery is the best option. But I went to visit one this morning. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely lovely and the cats that were there seemed happy enough. But the thought of my boy being stuck in one of those runs for 2 solid weeks brought tears to my eyes.

He is a fairly placid and confident cat. He doesn't even seem that stressed whenever I take him to the vets, he's always taking the opportunity to have a nose round. Do cats get really stressed out in catteries?

I guess I'm just after opinions really. I think i would worry if he was left on his own at home for 2 weeks but also don't know how he'd take to a cattery.

What are other peoples experiences?

OP posts:
fufflebum · 17/07/2012 16:57

We have three cats now over ten and up until a year ago they went in to the cattery.

TBH there are pros and cons to neighbours feeding or cattery.

Our cats are not very active and spend most of the daylight hours on our bed. They sleep in our lounge at night therefore if they do not go outside for a fortnight it does not matter to them. This works both for them at home or in a cattery.

In there younger days our cats did spend 6 weeks in the cattery and there was no harm done to them, just our pockets.

If you are worried about him roaming the cattery is probably the best option. It depends how 'responsible' your neighbour is too, will they check again if he is not there when they first visit. Our cats only have a visit once per day when we are away now.

Our cats do not enjoy the cattery but they are used to it and are perfectly well and fine when we return.

It is a good age to familiarise your cat with the cattery. My mums cat did not go in to a cattery until he was 7/8 and absolutely hates it.

Of course there are advantages to keeping them at home, it is cheaper and more familiar.

Good luck......
Check their vaccine requirements too......

BadgersRetreat · 17/07/2012 17:14

we have this dilemma too, and have decided the cat is happier at home. She only needs one visit per day for a food and water top up and can survive not going out - she has the whole house to roam rather than a cage.

she was not too happy last time we put her in a cattery (we moved house so it was a diff cattery to the previous one, which had been much better) and we decided then to have a friend come and feed her at home instead.

hoping she will water my plants too if i ask her nicely....

Sparklingbrook · 17/07/2012 17:19

I have to put Sparkling Cat in the cattery. I wouldn't trust anyone to look after her in the house. I have to know she is safe.

ExitPursuedByABear · 17/07/2012 17:21

As he is so young I would definitely say cattery. When he is older and more settled then go for the neighbour. Two weeks is a long time to be on his own.

Northernlurker · 17/07/2012 17:28

I think he is too young to be alone and he is likely to wander, putting him at risk and greatly reducing your ties to him. Our cat goes to the cattery if we're away more than a night. We request a good orchard view for her (yes we are that soft) and we know she is played with and admired and safe. Go and look at a few more, they do vary. The runs at the one we use aren't huge but they look out on the orchard so plenty of stimulus for her.

SecretSquirrels · 17/07/2012 18:08

Our cat is also 10 months old. We are very rural and he comes and goes as he wants but is mostly out at night. My neighbour is going to feed him when we go away for two nights but he is going to a cattery when we go for a week. I know he will hate it but he will be safe and comfortable if bored.

Original poster
Rollergirl1 · 18/07/2012 11:37

I'm really not sure what he will think of the cattery. At the moment with all this rain he is mainly sleeping in the house during the day. But he does like to go out at night.

I will definitely book the cattery. I would much rather him have 2 weeks of not liking somewhere but know that he is safe. And he is a real sucker for affection and doesn't mind who he gets it from so I'm sure as long as someone gives him a bit of a cuddle every day he'll be happy.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 18/07/2012 14:10

Look for a FAB approved one, they have a list on their website.

Mine goes to a cattery and they take good care of him. All the other cats look relaxed, happy, content. Mine sits there being a grumpy bengal with his back to everyone. She couldnt use him in publicity shots!.

He's anti-social. Like me and DH!.

derekthehamster · 18/07/2012 14:15

You could always get a professional pet feeder in? We have one near us who will come in for £5/day, fuss with the cat and send a photo to you Grin. You could always lock her in the house (you won't be there to hear her yowling Grin) which would be more space than she'll get in a cattery (and familiar) and she won't go wandering

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