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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 neighbours?

11 replies

Ilovecrumpets · 11/01/2019 09:45

So I’m due to go away for 3 or 4 nights. It will be the first time since getting the cats. Am trying to work out which would be the best option - there are loads of neighbours on the street with cats who are more than happy to come in twice a day and feed and fuss the cats, change the litter tray. It’s generally what everyone on the street with a cat does when going away.

Both my cats are currently indoor only ( 7 and 6 months old) however. One of them is a complete Velcro cat who cries for attention ( he is a Burmese) and the other is also very people focussed.

I can’t work out if they would be better at home with the neighbours coming in (comfortable surroundings etc) or going to a cattery? One of them ( very oddly) loves going to the vets so he would probably be ok. Having said that he is a cat that protest wees when he is annoyed with me.

Trying to work out what would be best and least stressful for the cats.

OP posts:
WofflingOn · 11/01/2019 10:01

I’d think more about safety, they are still kittens. So this time, I’d go for cattery to ensure they were monitored, kept out of trouble and didn’t escape.

viccat · 11/01/2019 13:26

Usually I would always say cat sitter/neighbour/friend to visit them at home is better but as Woffling says above, as they are kittens it might be safer to take them to a cattery this time. It's also a good idea to get them used to it from an early age in case you need a longer cattery stay for them at any point.

Original poster
Ilovecrumpets · 12/01/2019 10:12

Thanks both.

One of my neighbours popped round to try and reassure me she would do a good job! She and her husband are older and love cats but don’t have any at the moment. She has said she would come in 4 times a day at least if I wanted to play and cuddle them.

It is the safety aspect to. Even in the house I worry about them doing something silly. The problem is I think the littlest would be really unhappy at the cattery even with his brother.

I do agree about getting them used to it -
Good point!

OP posts:
viccat · 12/01/2019 11:59

Could you contain them to a smaller area of the house while you're away? Depending on the layout of your house...

Have they both been neutered already?

Original poster
Ilovecrumpets · 12/01/2019 12:10

Hi @viccat yes they have both been neutered. My intention was that they would always be outside cats eventually but was going to wait until the early summer when hopefully they are a bit more sensible.

Having said that since then I’ve had lots of people say not to let them out - the little one is exceptionally friendly to everyone and is quite small and likely to remain so so is also very sweet and kitten looking. He is my DS ( who struggles for many reasons) best friend. He is also very very fearless and daredevil.

Then the vets told me to consider not letting the other out as he is a Siamese who has turned out to be quite beautiful and the vet said she thought he would be stolen! I’m less worried about him though as he is bright as a button, fast and wary of non family members.

So now am thinking of cat proofing the garden - but it’s small and even that seems like inhibiting the cats natural tendency to roam. Which I never wanted to do.

Sorry but of a random tangent there!!

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 12/01/2019 13:32

Would the lovely couple have them in their house? My seven month old kitten stayed at my parents house over Christmas and loved it! Came back spoiled rotten and now leaps up at the window like a puppy when she sees them coming up the path!!!!

EachandEveryone · 12/01/2019 14:13

Can we see them please?

I put mine in the cattery at that age. It’s a good one on a farm. However, staying at the neighbours does sound good or have the neighbour sleep at yours!!!

Greyhound22 · 12/01/2019 16:17

I think in that case I would let the neighbour do it. Seems like she misses cats and would enjoy some cuddles with them. I'm sure she will be very careful. Is there part they can be shut in so they can't shoot out the door when she opens it?

ImNotKitten · 12/01/2019 16:22

I have worked in catteries. I would go for a trustworthy neighbour who understands the need for making sure they can’t escape.

AlanaMay · 12/01/2019 16:28

I think cats prefer to stay at home - and I quite like having someone pop in twice a day to pick up post and open / close curtains. But it's not a bad idea to get them used to going to a cattery occasionally as if you ever wanted to go on an extended trip for three of four weeks, it might feel too much to ask the neighbours. Also if the cats ever need long term medication I feel that's a bit much to ask the neighbours (unless they take pills very easily) - perhaps then you'd also be better to have them stay somewhere that a trained professional could administer it.

viccat · 12/01/2019 23:41

ilovecrumpets re: your tangent, definitely cat proof the garden! I'm a cat charity volunteer and many in our volunteer team have cat proofed gardens ourselves. Our cats really don't feel constrained. I don't think cats have an instinct for roaming as such, they just need a stimulating environment. You are right that pedigree cats are more at risk of being stolen, and in general there are just so many dangers out there... having safe outdoor space is the best of both worlds; better than indoor-only living and better than roaming dangerously.

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