Cattery or cat sitter

[ChubbyCat]

Hello

Just like everyone else I am planning to go away for a few days this summer, and this would be my first time leaving my two rescue cats. I have had them for around a year.

I can't decide whether a cat sitter or cattery would be better for them.

The cats aren't bothered about each other, they prefer people for company. They can sleep in the same room but usually choose not to, they play together daily but sometimes it gets a bit rough, although no one has ever been hurt. Don't think either cat would be bothered if they never saw the other one again, but they tolerate each other.

I think cat sitter would maybe be better but then they would only get brief interaction with people, and I would also worry how they would interact being left alone without anyone there.

Cattery would mean someone keeping an eye on them at all times, but they would have to share a room and they both hate closed doors.

Don't think I can afford someone to come and stay with them for the duration of a holiday.

What does everyone else do with their cats?

I should add they are indoor cats that only go out to the garden when supervised. Our house is fairly big (3 storeys) so there is space for them to get away from one another if the want.

Following because I'm also wondering what I will do with my kitten/cat when we manage to get on holiday again

You could try TrustedHousesitters? We use it and it's a great alternative to cattery or professional cat sitter. Or if you know anyone who currently lives with parents or houseshares who might like a bit of freedom in return for keeping your cat company?

Cat sitter all the way. I’ve used catteries in the past when there haven’t been other options, IME it takes the cats longer to get back to normal than it does when they’ve had a sitter popping in.

Mine are Siamese so very keen on human contact.

Cat sitter every time. In my exeperince it’s hugely unnerving for cats to be in a strange environment - where they can smell and hear lots of other cats in close proximity. Much better to be in their familiar space with all their familiar things.

Be prepared - they might give you a frosty reception when you get back! Mine always makes sure I know she’s annoyed that I left!!

I've got a couple of really good friends who pop in on my cats when I'm away. I have used catteries too in the past but I think cat sitter is my preference cos the cats are then in familiar surroundings.

I liked catteries, I would’ve worried he’d get injured if he was home alone.

You can get some really nice ones, the one my DN found is £25 a night & better than my first flat.

Definitely a cat sitter. Cats like their own home and sleep most of the day . Our cat sitter is also an additional security with coming to the house twice a day at different times each day.

Well cost might be a big factor? Cat sitter who pops in daily to feed/play/clean litter and check on house is about £6 per day......cattery for 3 cats is £19?

We always used Catteries but I find a cat sitter now much more personal and we have a good one that sends videos of the cats and it's also reassuring to have someone check on the house (she even waters the plants and puts the bins out 🤣

Also one of our cats clearly found the cattery stressful - we always booked the deluxe suite 🤣🤦‍♀️ but our cats just aren't that used to be in such close quarters to each other

Hmmm sounds like cat sitter is getting more votes.

I almost booked one already but I am worried my cats will fall out when we are away and there's no one to interfere. They have never fought before but their playing can get a bit rough at times, they are definitely not besties and have never been left home alone together for longer than an hour or two.

Should I perhaps consider shutting them in different parts of the house or something? Has anyone been in this situation?

One of my cats is clearly leader of the pride and has a habit of exerting his authority over our cats and can chase and get quite rough. I wouldn't shut them in rooms on their own - you'd need 2 sets of litter, bowls, water etc .....I'm sure your house has plenty of hiding spots should one want to get away from the other

Cat sitters.

I would never leave my cats in a cattery - I'm sure the youngest two would be okay, but the oldest would be so stressed and he's nervous enough as it is.

Cats are generally pretty territorial and don't like being uprooted from their homes, especially not for a few days. I would ask around on social media - most dog walkers will offer cat visits - and they'll be insured to hold your keys too.

I'm a dog walker myself and offer one visit per day for £8 or two for £15 a day. Three visits a day would be £20, but nobody has ever taken me up on that one!

I leave my own cats home alone all day on a regular basis and we've left them with my SIL coming in to feed them for over a week in the past with no issues.

Thanks everyone. Pretty unanimous.

@ivfbeenbusy also think it's about dominance between my two, they take turns to chase and ambush one another and sometimes it gets a bit rowdy. Also the more playful one likes to wind up the calmer one when she's trying to nap.

If I'm away any longer than one night, mine go to a fantastic cattery. They love it their and I have difficulty extracting them from
Their chalet when I collect them. One of the staff who works their, absolutely adores my pair. So I love handing them over to someone who I know really loves her! The cattery has ducks, chickens and horses to watch. Home is boring apparently!

I have a good cat sitter for short stays though.

I've only used a cat sitter and they've been brilliant. We weren't too fussed about either option until we learned how much more expensive the cattery was for our three cats. The cat sitters sent daily updates and photos which was lovely. Aside from sniffing us like crazy and getting extra cuddles, the cats haven't seemed too bothered about being left alone.

Cat sitter and get a “feliway friends” plug-in so they won’t fight.

Cat sitter all the way.

Thanks again everyone.

Would you feel comfortable leaving your cats wigh a sitter for longer periods, for instance daily visits for two weeks?
No such holidays planned yet but maybe next year.

Thanks for suggesting the Feliway Friends as well!

We’ve had our cat sitter come in twice a day for our three week holidays. The cat was fine. Took her medication from the cat sitter and the cat sitter stays to watch some tv with her - the cat curled up on her knee and went to sleep. Our cat has no loyalty!

Going against the grain here but I would always use a cattery. I've used the same one for 20 years. The cats seem happy there and I prefer them to be checked more than the twice a day a cat sitter would manage.

@ChubbyCat

Thanks again everyone.

Would you feel comfortable leaving your cats wigh a sitter for longer periods, for instance daily visits for two weeks?
No such holidays planned yet but maybe next year.

Thanks for suggesting the Feliway Friends as well!

I would always do twice-daily visits - for several reasons.

• Mine get fed by a human twice a day so I'd want that routine to be kept.
• It means the sitter can do things like open windows/blinds in the morning and close them again, take in post, and make the home look like it's being lived in.
• If anything goes wrong, it gets picked up within 12 hours rather than risking it being left for 24h.
• Fresh water and emptied litter trays - I'd rather this was done twice a day for hygiene reasons, especially as we have multiple cats.

Cat sitter here too. I know there’s the worry that something might happen to them whilst they’re alone between the daily visits but really there is the risk of that every time I go out to work! Also not really convinced they get that much more attention in some (not all!!!) catteries.

I have a fab cat sitter if you are North London or Hertfordshire. She comes for 30 mins in the morning and plays with them empties the trays etc. it’s £10 a day or £17 for two visits I think it’s a great deal. We had a lovely cattery on a farm but it closed down as I think the land was sold, it was a real shame. I am happy with a sitter now though plus it’s nice to have someone to water the plants.

I have a lovely lady who comes and stays to look after our cat. I boarded mine many times but I just wasn't happy, until the last time he came home with terrible knots and nervy. A friend recommended me to her catsitter who comes daily. She came to me daily and was wonderful. She sentme pics and videos every day - we even zoomed! Then we moved, eeek! But now she comes to stay as a cat sitter and a house sitter. It is great as I no longer worry about being burgled from my house is empty. She waters the pots, garden, feeds the birds, even looked after a neighbours guinea pig, and did some gardening for next door, too. Most things she does for no extra charge - all in with her excellent service. But some things you need to pay a bit extra for - we don't want to lose her! She lives in the North West, but you never know, she just may come to you. She is insured and is highly recommended. She's now retired so I bet she's looking for more business. I've just had a word and she's happy to have a chat with anyone interested. Her new link is
uk.catinaflat.com/pet-sitter/57832