Taking cat to house with dogs...

[KwazyKupcakes]

We have singularly failed to find a cattery for our cat over Christmas when we are going for a week to MIL and FIL house (I started looking in early November but we dithered because our other cat was missing and I wasn't sure if I was looking for a holiday home for one or two cats....)

It now looks like bringing the puss with us may be the best option - we have elderly neighbours who could feed her but a) I don't want to burden them (they're really lovely but about 90 and not terribly mobile), and b) I'm worried about her being lonely, as she's a very sociable cuddly cat:

The issue is that my PIL have two dogs - a very boisterous young spaniel, and a misanthropic old pointer. The house is somewhat run by the dogs. My cat is nine and while she has come across dogs before and not been at all fazed, she has never lived with dogs, and she is a bit of a sensitive soul.

Anyone been in this situation? What did you do and how did it go? I don't want to traumatise her or have her escape out a window and run away from this doggy house...

Thanks!

Don't take her!!! Leave her at home by whatever means you can. There are lots of companies that will come to feed your cat. Or take up your neighbours' offer.

You will traumatise her and would be at serious risk of losing her if you take her.

If you have to take her she will need to stay shut in your bedroom, with no open windows, for the entire visit.

Dogs can be very territorial, and even if these aren't the boisterous spaniel might be too much. Unless you can keep them apart - and how you stop a cat getting out of a room as you enter, every time, beats me - I really don't think it sounds like a good idea.

I wouldn't go to be honest. Unless you can find a pet sitter. If you can ensure they won't escape from your house whilst you are away.
Even if you confine them to a room away from the dogs they will hear and smell them.

Well yes, reading the other replies, I agree. I know I said 'if you have to take her' but going to stay with relatives for Christmas is never a matter of life and death is it? If you can come up with no other solutions I would stay at home.

Have you tried to find a cattery near your ILs?

Taking the cat with you would be a recipe for complete disaster.
Find a cattery near your in-laws (although it's unlikely to be available at such short notice) or leave the cat at home and pay a professional cat sitter to look after her.
If you can't get a cat sitter, I suggest you go for less time (ie 3-4 days rather than a week) and ask your neighbours to feed the cat while you're gone.

Oh dear. That's universally that this is a bad idea, then.....?

Mine travels but I wouldn't take him anywhere there was a dog (for the dog's sake as much as his!).

Personally I wouldn't go, but your cat will be fine with the neighbour popping in.

I'd get a pet sitter service. The good catteries book up early for Christmas.