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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.

Original poster

Cattery or cat sitter

35 replies

Drinaballerina · 28/06/2017 18:48

Going away for 3 weeks, is this too long to leave my much adored babies with a cat sitter. They're not prone to wandering off and will also be well looked after by everyone else in the road I should think!

OP posts:
SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 28/06/2017 18:49

IME cats prefer to be in their own home, so would vote for sitter.

HipsterHunter · 28/06/2017 19:01

Can you get a house sitter for that time?

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 28/06/2017 19:05

We get cat sitter to pop in but we keep them inside while away. They still have more space than they would in a cattery plus they are in their own territory.

turtletum · 28/06/2017 20:00

I've been away for that length of time twice and used a sitter. They come twice a day to sort food and give cuddles/play. Imv much nicer than a loud cattery with limited space. My cat is much calmer in their own territory. We do keep the cat in though so no wandering off.

dementedpixie · 28/06/2017 20:10

We go away at the weekend for 2 weeks and have chosen to use a cat sitter who will visit twice a day to feed and clean out the litter. We've only had the cats since January so it's the first time we've left them and I'm feeling a bit worried about it. I figured they'd be in their own territory and have more space than a cattery but hope they don't get too lonely and don't trash the place (they are nearly 8 months old)

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/06/2017 20:36

I use a cattery. I like to know exactly where he is while I'm away.

Mine would miss me after three weeks, I'd worry about him running away.

dementedpixie · 28/06/2017 21:03

Don't think our sitter will be letting the cats out in case they run away (we don't have a cat flap)

EachandEveryone · 29/06/2017 01:24

Everyone knows on here that I love my cattery so that's where I stand on this. Get recommendations go visit some try and get outside chalets three weeks is along time I also would worry about him escaping the house.

GardenGeek · 29/06/2017 01:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EachandEveryone · 29/06/2017 01:46

Yes but will they be allowed out in those three weeks? Will the windows be opened? Can you see if you have an indoor/outdoor cattery?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/06/2017 07:05

I would only put Harry in a cattery as a last resort, I don't like the idea of him being cooped up in a pen with strange cats around and strangers looking after him.

I have an amazing cat sitter who has been looking after him for years. She knows him and all his little quirks, and she is a vet nurse so can keep an eye on his health issues. I did look at catteries and some of them were more expensive than having a cat sitter.

In case I upset anyone this is NOT meant as a criticism of anyone who uses a cattery as I know many cats are happy.

TonicAndTonic · 29/06/2017 13:21

I use a cattery. I like to know exactly where he is while I'm away

Me too. DCat doesn't like strangers so wouldn't be thrilled with either a pet sitter or a cattery, but I get more peace of mind knowing that he's secure in the cattery. He's always a bit clingy for 24h or so after coming home, but fine beyond that. We don't have a cat flap and I think if a cat sitter let DCat out, we wouldn't come back in for the,.
Also DP doesn't like the idea of a stranger poking around our house while we are away!

DramaAlpaca · 29/06/2017 13:26

My cat likes to do his own thing and come & go as he pleases. A cattery would seriously stress him out, he's a country cat with a big territory and he would hate to be confined. I get someone to pop in a couple of times a day if we go away.

Lweji · 29/06/2017 13:29

I do a sitter. Mine is a house cat, though. And I get someone to go by and check on him and play a bit.

I have an automated food dispenser too. He's used to being alone most of the day while we're out anyway.

KatsutheClockworkOctopus · 29/06/2017 13:34

May I ask those who use sitters how you find them? There are lots in our area when I google , but I feel slightly dubious about just picking one!

dementedpixie · 29/06/2017 13:46

I originally was going to use one I had seen on Facebook but then found a friend of my sister had started a new business doing dog walking and cat sitting so I went with her instead. At least that way it's not a stranger coming in my house

Lweji · 29/06/2017 13:49

I use my sister and have used my cleaning lady so far.
Might consider my oldest nephew and for some payment this time, now that I think of it.

Original poster
Drinaballerina · 29/06/2017 14:43

My cleaner does it. I just wasn't sure if it was too long at 3 weeks. They're not indoor cats so will probably be happier at home. Next question, how much do you pay??

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/06/2017 15:07

I googled and found mine. She has fostered for the charity that we adopted Harry from and I immediately felt comfortable when I met her.

I pay £10 per visit or £18 for two.

dementedpixie · 29/06/2017 15:14

Mine charges £6 a visit or two for £10. She should maybe rethink her prices though as she has to drive to get to me. She is just starting out though so may change things later

EachandEveryone · 29/06/2017 16:11

My god that is cheap

lazycrazyhazy · 29/06/2017 19:36

Our house sitter moves in (I found her through trusted-housesitters.com). Some are free as they enjoy staying in other places and the system works on reviews. Mine is a gem. Pets are at home and happy and house is happy too!

GardenGeek · 29/06/2017 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oxcat1 · 29/06/2017 20:24

I am wondering this myself. Mine are only just one, and love company and attention. I have left them with sitters before now, but after the last long stay I think they probably would have been better in a cattery. I am usually home with them all day, with additional people coming in and out. I think a cattery would probably provide a similar degree of stimulation and things to watch - they are pretty involved and nosey little beasts!

I always keep them in whilst away from the house, and that is again a consideration. for a sitter whilst I was on holiday, they would be confined inside, whereas in a cattery they could have an inside/outside pen.

This is all speculation however.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/06/2017 21:10

Gardengeek, I was worried I'd offend someone!

We've now cat proofed the garden so I'm even less worried about leaving him now. To be honest I don't know what I'd do if my cat sitter packed up as I trust her completely with Harry and I think of her as a good friend now. I probably wouldn't go on holiday again!