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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cattery or ten days indoors with a pet sitter?

27 replies

Bogburglar99 · 12/04/2016 09:29

We have a holiday booked in August, going abroad for ten days and leaving Precious First Cat (PFC?) for the first time.

PFC is a one year old Siberian who has free access to outside for the daytime and comes in (most reluctantly) for the night. He loves climbing our apple tree, leaping onto the neighbours roof, harassing their chickens, going to visit the cat next door, etc.

I don't think letting him go in and out while we are away is really an option. Feels too risky that he might do something daft or have an accident - he is fit and hardy but etill young and wasn't raised to be a street tough. The kids would be utterly devastated if something happened to him.

We went to see a cattery which was nice enough but would involve a small indoor and largish outdoor pen. There is also a pet sitting service that could come in twice daily if we left him shut in our house.

So - cattery where he can have some outside access but is shut into a small space and away from the familiar? Or shut into his own house wondering why he isn't allowed out to improve the lives of all those chickens and butterflies just the other side of the glass doors? Can we trust the pet sitter not to let him escape?

I may be worrying more about this than about choosing DDs nursery

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 12/04/2016 09:32

We do cattery. I have two young cats. (Less than a year). Unless you have a porch or some set up where you can be certain the cat can't escape then I wouldn't.

StuntBottom · 12/04/2016 09:36

I always use a pet sitter but my cats are indoor wusses who refuse to set a paw outside, even when the back door is open all day in the summer. For a cat used to outdoors, I think I'd go for the cattery with outdoor pen.

ifancyagreencard · 12/04/2016 09:38

Definitely cattery. Ifancy(fighty)cat is much the same - outdoorsy etc. But sucks up the cattery with only mild punishment to us when we return (ignores us for a couple of days ). The cattery staff always tell us she's been Dream Guest. It's re-assuring to know that kind neighbours / cat sitters are not battling with getting her to the vets for yet another fighting injury . . . . .

cozietoesie · 12/04/2016 09:41

In your case, I think I'd go for a cattery for him.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 12/04/2016 09:46

I use a pet sitter and Harry still comes and goes as normal (he's not allowed out at night). He did get shut in somewhere when we were away last year so he has been threatened with a cattery but I prefer to think of him in his own home at the moment.

cozietoesie · 12/04/2016 09:59

I couldn't put Seniorboy in a cattery because he'd just stop eating and likely pop his clogs. (My Siamese boys are desperately bonded and go on UK holidays with me.) The Lodger, on the other hand, would have set up a Poker game within the first 15 minutes and would have the whole place running to his liking. I'm just going on the OP's particular cat and circumstances.

elvisola · 12/04/2016 10:01

I have a Persian. He goes out during the day (never at night) in the summer as we have the French doors open but only pops into the neighbours garden or sunbathes on the trampoline.

We have a pet sitter who comes in every day for 14 days during our holiday in August. Never had a problem, has never accidentally let him escape and I find it reassuring that someone is coming and going from the house too.

My mum also pops in and out to keep him company and she says he always seems content and happy so the enforced confinement seems to suit him ok. Have never used a chattery though so he may well be absolutely fine in that scenario too.

Original poster

Bogburglar99 · 12/04/2016 12:37

Thanks. I think I may look further at catteries given that advice. Just rather put off by the 'luxury' one I visited that looked anything but :(

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 12/04/2016 12:42

Oh you need to find a decent one right enough. Some are ........not great examples.

msrisotto · 12/04/2016 12:46

Yeah I couldn't bear the thought of my PFC going into a cattery, they looked like little prison cells . But mine is an indoor cat who hides away a lot so it's obvious to me where she would be happiest. I think only you can know what's best for your cat in this situation.

Original poster

Bogburglar99 · 12/04/2016 15:03

any offers on what makes a good cattery? Have seen one which advertises picture windows looking into a wood, with observation points. PFC, who has not yet grasped that birds fly but cats don't, would probably love that

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 12/04/2016 16:39

You may find this of use, Bog.

Ignore the 'list' because that scheme closed some years back. I think that the guidance is still OK though.

Sparklingbrook · 12/04/2016 16:45

Cattery always. Try and get some word of mouth recommendations.

Original poster

Bogburglar99 · 12/04/2016 18:32

Thanks! The nice one with observation platforms for flying things is on the list so will perhaps go and have a look.

OP posts:

Pipbin · 13/04/2016 18:05

I hate to say it but we took PFC to a cattery and I never will again.
It was fine and she was looked after ok but it was the way she cried when I brought her home that made me say never again.
She sat in all her favourite spots and yowled. I've never heard her make a noise like it.

Sparklingbrook · 13/04/2016 18:08

Sparklingcat always goes round and cries when she gets home from the cattery. But I know she's fine and safe there.

Pipbin · 13/04/2016 18:12

That's the thing though isn't it Sparkling, you can holiday knowing that she's safe.

Sparklingbrook · 13/04/2016 18:49

From what I have seen of her actually at the cattery she's fine. She loves the lady and one time we picked her up she didn't want to leave her and come to me. They also post updates on FB.

My friend's cat escaped from a cattery. Twice. Houdini cat.

Original poster

Bogburglar99 · 13/04/2016 22:58

Most of our previous cats (in my childhood) were fine with it. My black and white one would spend a few days trying to murder you, but to be honest that was his default setting anyway!

It is difficult isn't it? It's the first time we are leaving him, and we are going abroad, so I'd like to feel he was completely safe in somewhere like a cattery. And I wonder whether he might prefer being able to get outside even a little bit in a run, rather than shut in completely for ten days.

Will go and view the luxury one with bird observation platforms!

OP posts:

myrtleWilson · 13/04/2016 23:03

Ah we have three Siberians, they are lovely cats. We have a pet sitting service but ours don't like the travel boxes coming out so we felt less stressful for them to stay in own home. Having said that ours are indoor cats too at the moment....

Original poster

Bogburglar99 · 13/04/2016 23:13

Aren't they just gorgeous? We were drawn to them for the low allergen issue (DH reacts) but they seem to be the most beautiful and good tempered breed as a bonus!

How do you manage with three?! Must be a riot

OP posts:

iknowimcoming · 13/04/2016 23:23

I use a cattery because mine would have my house infested with rodents on my return if left at home, plus I find it more relaxing to not have to worry about people chasing mice and birds around or wondering where she is. If you have a local Facebook page for your town ask on there for recommendations, I recently saw someone ask this local to me and was pleased to see the cattery we've been using for 10 years recommended by loads of people. We did have a bad experience with a cattery years ago so just like choosing schools and nurseries, trust your instincts

DramaAlpaca · 13/04/2016 23:28

I've never put our two cats in a cattery. At home they have free access in & out of the cat flap and I know they'd be miserable in a cattery. I get a close friend to pop in to feed them a couple of times a day & that's always worked for us.

In your case though I think I'd go for the cattery, as long as you can find a good one.

LowDudgeon · 14/04/2016 00:16

I've used catteries in the past but the nicest (very very nice) one is 30 mins away & 2 of mine are dreadful in the car - panic, pant, pee, poo & puke

So next time I'm going to try a sitter. They are in/out cats, mostly in, & ideally shut in at night. (Closing cat flap to in-only doesn't help because they can all hook it open inwards )

LowDudgeon · 14/04/2016 00:18

(NB I would still go for cattery if not for the hysterical ones. Knowing they are safe & secure (if a bit bored) is a huge comfort when 1000s of miles away)

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