Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Would you use a child sitter?

26 replies

PenguindreamsofDraco · 20/08/2018 10:47

My son utterly adores cats, completely batty about them. As do I, but the very not D on this point H says absolutely not.

So, I have been wondering about offering up his services as a cat sitter for the houses around us if anyone goes away. I'd always be with him (of course! He's 7) and do the actual feeding, he'd basically do the cuddling.

Would any of you go for that or would a 7yo playing with your cats whilst you were away just be too off putting? I was thinking something like £2/£2.50 a visit (which is v cheap for where we are in London).

Really just doing some market research as to whether anyone thinks that would work?

OP posts:
viccat · 20/08/2018 11:17

I imagine families that have children would be more likely to as their cats would be used to children already.

Personally I wouldn't as two of mine are terrified of strangers and one is grumpy and could bite if annoyed...

Not all cats are cuddly with strangers; when I catsit, there are some cats who mainly hide and keep their distance. So your son could potentially be disappointed...

NoTeaNoShadeNoPinkLemonade · 20/08/2018 11:22

I wouldn't mind (my cat adores children) Is be happy he was getting some fuss, but I would definatly want to meet (and observe childs behaviour) before i would consider this arrangement.

Original poster
PenguindreamsofDraco · 20/08/2018 11:22

Thanks viccat. I don't actually think that would be a bad thing - teaches him that animals are individuals and have their own personalities, and if you disrespect their boundaries you only do it once!

And at the moment he is so cat-starved that just seeing one from across the street makes his day, so seeing one up close even if he can't cuddle it would probably be enough for him!

OP posts:
meadowmeow · 20/08/2018 11:29

You could be on dodgy ground advertising and selling this as a 7yo doing the job. They are not allowed to legally work!

TheVanguardSix · 20/08/2018 11:34

Most cats are a bit skittish with kids. I’d revisit this idea when he’s 10-12. I’d absolutely be happy with a 10-12 year old feeding our cat and guinea pigs.

TheVanguardSix · 20/08/2018 11:35

Poor guy though. To be cat starved! Grin
Why is your DH so opposed?

TheVanguardSix · 20/08/2018 11:40

You could try it out though. I have to say, we left our pets (the cat, dog, and guinea pigs) in the care of a live-in pet sitter. But had we taken the dog on holiday with us, I’d have been delighted to offer your little boy a few quid to feed the cat and piggies who are all pretty self-contained. Our cat is an outdoor cat who comes home around 5pm then leaves next morning at about 10am for the day. He goes out to work. Smile
You could pop leaflets through people’s doors or knock and see what comes back.

haggisaggis · 20/08/2018 11:40

I would advertise it as you doing the sitting - but ask if it would be OK for your ds to accompany you. I think most people would be OK with this - but you may have to emphasise that your ds would be closely supervised and not wandering around their house on his own looking for the cat. Cats (certainly if mine are anything to go by) frequently hide under beds or in wardrobes when strangers are in the house. I would not want anyone I did not know well wandering around my bedroom looking for my cat!

Original poster
PenguindreamsofDraco · 20/08/2018 12:57

Ah, the illegality point is a fair one! I suppose if we worded it on the flyer that 'my mum will do all the cat care and I will do the cuddling if the cat wants it' and just refer to a cost per visit, that gets round it.

And yes, it is a tragedy that he is cat-starved!

OP posts:
Flashingbeacon · 20/08/2018 13:01

Worth just asking the neighbours if he can visit the cats too. I have the most attentions starved cats, there’s someone in all day and night but they would be held constantly if they could. I always happy when someone wants a shot. They are inside cats too. In Scotland otherwise you’d be welcome.

thecatneuterer · 20/08/2018 13:25

I would hate that idea. I don't trust children at all and don't particularly want them near my cats. But then I'm just not a 'child person'. If I were looking for cat sitters that would put me off.

I think you need to replace your husband with a few cats ...

Toddlerteaplease · 20/08/2018 13:25

Yes, as long as I knew the child and I knew a parent was on hand. But also depends on the personality of the cats.

Toddlerteaplease · 20/08/2018 13:28

And yes. Replace the husband with a catz have you thought if visiting a cat cafe?

Lynne1Cat · 20/08/2018 13:30

I've always had trusted, DBS-checked catsitters for mine. At about £9 a visit for twice, sometimes 3 times daily, it's worked out a bit expensive for a week - but I like to feel happy and reassured that my cats (only got 1 now though) have been cared for. My catsitter sends photos via Whatsapp or Facebook, every day.

maxelly · 20/08/2018 13:36

I would, and have in past, provided I know the parents fairly well (as obviously they will be the ones doing the actual looking after!) and that the DC in question isn't going to be too disappointed when my (very aloof) cat declines all cuddles and love... it's great to hand over the money for a job well done though and IMO it works best if the child is at least 50% in it for the money rather than the pet interaction as obviously that I can't guarantee!

Vinorosso74 · 20/08/2018 13:37

My DD comes with me to Cats Protection to "test" out cats to see if they could be ok with children or not. Maybe you could contact your local rescue to see if they would be interested in him doing something similar or even playing/stroking cats.

Original poster
PenguindreamsofDraco · 20/08/2018 13:44

Cat cafes in London are unfortunately 12+ only or we'd be there daily Grin

And don't think replacing the H with many cats hasn't been considered. My son tells him frequently he'll get one 'when you die Daddy '

OP posts:
OverTheHedgeSammy · 20/08/2018 13:58

Could you find out if there are any cat foster families near you? If he's cat mad they might be willing to let him help out under supervision, especially around kitten time. It does the kittens a lot of good to become accustomed to being gently handled by children.

serbska · 20/08/2018 14:02

No way would I go for that, a 7 year old is very young if they don't have cat experience themselves.

Loads of cats don't even like being cuddled so he may find the experience a bit dissatisfying anyway.

Original poster
PenguindreamsofDraco · 20/08/2018 14:28

Oh he has lots of experience - we had cats until about 16 months ago and have since looked after another, it's only in the last year the spousal veto has come into play don't start me.

Where would one go to find out about foster families? TCN, I know we corresponded before when I dropped loads of food etc off at your Lewisham branch when my last girl died. Would you be able to let me know if there are any local to us if I PM-ed you, or is that a GDPR breach these days Grin?

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 20/08/2018 14:42

OP - I'm not sure how that would help. You mean to 'child-test' kittens. The best place to do that would be when they come back into the centre. I'm doubt people are going to want strangers coming to their house to play with their fosters - it would seem a bit intrusive.

Our centres used to have people who come in purely to socialise cats, but I think there was some problem with insurance or something and I'm not sure if it's been resolved. Your best bet would be to drop the Lewisham branch an email to ask them if they could use cat/kitten socialisers in the centre.

Original poster
PenguindreamsofDraco · 20/08/2018 14:56

Oh I was just following up on OverTheHedgeSammy's suggestion - but I can see the justification for what you say. OK thanks.

OP posts:
OverTheHedgeSammy · 20/08/2018 15:37

Sorry, I don't know of any, but through these boards I know they exist! I think the best way to find out is to contact cat charities directly and find out from them firstly if they use cat fosterers and then secondly, if there are any near you. If there are you could leave your contact details to be passed onto them and offer to be an extra pair of hands sometimes at their house.

Skyejuly · 20/08/2018 19:11

We had our neighbour come in and play with our cat for a week while we were away. She's 10. She loved it.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 20/08/2018 20:28

I wouldn't, Harry isn't used to children and he'd probably get the right arse if a child went near him! He may not have many teeth but the claws more than make up for it...

Swipe left for the next trending thread