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The litter tray

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Original poster

How much would you pay for feeding your cat?

34 replies

StuntNun · 30/04/2022 10:30

I’ve asked my son’s 15-year-old friend to feed my cat for a week while I’m on holiday. How much do you think I should pay him? It would cost £72 for a cattery so I was thinking £40? He would only have to come in once a day and the cat isn’t friendly so he wouldn’t have to entertain him or keep him company.

OP posts:
thistimeofyear · 30/04/2022 10:42

I think £40 is too. Maybe £30 ? It will only take him 10-15 mins presumably but then you do what makes you feel comfortable

thistimeofyear · 30/04/2022 10:42

Too “Much” sorry

Justkeeppedaling · 30/04/2022 10:43

£5 per day?

Agapornis · 30/04/2022 10:50

I get paid £7-15 a visit, depending on how generous the cat slave owner is. Pay him at least minimum wage (£9.90 UK/£11.05 London /hour) for the time it takes, including travel time.
Also... don't underestimate a cat lover's ability to turn an 'unfriendly' cat into a lap cat once said cat is left alone for a while Grin

PumpkinsandKittens · 30/04/2022 10:53

I would pay 30

msbevvy · 30/04/2022 10:57

Agapornis · 30/04/2022 10:50

I get paid £7-15 a visit, depending on how generous the cat slave owner is. Pay him at least minimum wage (£9.90 UK/£11.05 London /hour) for the time it takes, including travel time.
Also... don't underestimate a cat lover's ability to turn an 'unfriendly' cat into a lap cat once said cat is left alone for a while Grin

Minimum wage for a 15 year old is £4.62.

Not that I would suggest paying such a meagre rate.

How far does he have to travel and do his duties involve emptying a litter tray?

I think £50 is a nice round number and still cheaper and better for the cat than the cattery.

AnotherDelphinium · 30/04/2022 11:02

I’d offer him £35 for the week, and then if he did a good job, an extra £5 bonus.

This is assuming there isn’t a litter tray! If there was, I’d up it to £45.

My cat sitter comes in twice a day, is rarely there for longer than ten minutes and charges £10 a visit.

Original poster
StuntNun · 01/05/2022 08:55

There's no litter tray but it's my son's friend so I was thinking to err on the side of being generous.

OP posts:
Decorhate · 01/05/2022 08:58

I give a nearby teen £10 per day for two visits.

Dynamicsloth · 01/05/2022 09:08

The going rate is £18 here for a £30 minute visit. I would say £40 - £50 is about right.

GOODCAT · 01/05/2022 09:13

I recently paid £25 per day for two visits including litter tray and medication for a pet sitter. Before that I paid £15 per visit for a pet sitter.

I had asked the young teen next door and had he been able to do it I would have paid £7.50 a visit in his case as door to door he would be in and out in under 15 minutes.

Cheesechips · 01/05/2022 15:11

I recently paid our cleaner £70 for 6.5 days and she lives round the corner. Automatic litter box so no litter changing either.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 01/05/2022 15:20

I'd give 50, then he's likely to want to do it again.

Lifehappenssometimes · 01/05/2022 16:03

We also pay a nearby teenager £10 per day for two visits, no litter tray or any other issues.

MarmiteCoriander · 01/05/2022 16:08

How far does he has to travel? If he lives next door, I'd pay less than if he needed to walk/scooter a significant distance which would also eat into his day more.

LoveInSlowMotion · 01/05/2022 16:09

My teens would be very happy with £40 for that.

Onceuponatimethen · 01/05/2022 16:12

I would give £50. Our going rate locally is £7.50 for one visit a day with no litter tray emptying

IglesiasPiggl · 01/05/2022 16:15

I pay a local teenager £5 per visit, they walk there and no litter tray.

Fizbosshoes · 01/05/2022 16:16

I'd say 40 (I think we've paid neighbours teens 30-40 when we've been away)

Nelliephant1 · 01/05/2022 16:32

StuntNun · 01/05/2022 08:55

There's no litter tray but it's my son's friend so I was thinking to err on the side of being generous.

Well you're being far from generous I'm afraid.

He's responsible for opening up your house and locking it up safely, keeping keys safe and be responsible for them.
If there are any leaks or problems with the house when you're away then he'll be the one to spot them and begin the process of getting them sorted.
He's also responsible for the welfare of your cat. If he/she seems to be ill or out of sorts then he'll have to be the one to notice, monitor and get the correct assistance.

No matter how grumpy and aloof a cat seems, they do get frightened and lonely when their families are away. Too many people think that feeding a cat is popping in and throwing some food down and leaving. For those saying that they just pay a local teen a measly amount to feed their cat are grossly underestimating what they are asking, the experience and skill it takes to provide such a service and more importantly the care and attention that pets need and are bordering on negligence for their animal care.

DaisyWaldron · 01/05/2022 16:36

DD gets around £10 a day for two visits per day. She also gets free bonus kitty snuggles and a closer relationship with her cat-owning godparents.

Haus1234 · 01/05/2022 16:37

We pay our cat sitter £11 per visit, so comparable to your cattery cost based on 7 days. They are insured etc and it is their job so I do agree that less is reasonable … but I wouldn’t pay loads less as you need him to do it properly and as a PP points out he’s locking up your house etc so some responsibility!

hellcatspanglelalala · 01/05/2022 16:39

Totally depends where he lives. Five mins walk away I'd say £30-40 is plenty, if he's got to bus it or travel a fair bit, the more. Work out how long it'll take him and go from there.

CottonSock · 01/05/2022 16:39

I pay a professional cat sitter £6 per visit. Even when we had 3 pets. She's great. Large tip last year for vet visit when pet sadly was put to sleep.

caringcarer · 01/05/2022 16:44

£40 is fine OP. My teen would be very happy with that too. Why is he only visiting the cat once a day day though? surely you cat has two feeds each day?

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