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Original poster

Catteries - ease my guilt olease

21 replies

hartof · 29/12/2022 20:05

We're going on a 4 night break tomorrow and dropping our very loved boy off at the cattery tomorrow morning. The other times we've been away he has been cat sat in our house, but my cat sitter (sister) is coming with us. I feel so guilty about it, it's a lovely place he has a room with like a patio door on it, and they have a catio to let him out on every day. But it's ruining the excitement of going away, he's like my baby and I'm worried he's going to think we've abandoned him.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 29/12/2022 22:07

He'll be fine. My cats love their cattery. They are not pleased to see me on pick up. And I have a job to prize them out of their 'castle.' The minute I handed them over to one of the girls that used to work there, I no longer existed!

WarmBeerAndSandwiches · 29/12/2022 22:11

He'll be fine, my cats went in catteries for years when I went on holiday. For future reference though you can pay pet sitters to come in and feed your cat (and clean their litter) while you are away. I have found some really good ones and use them now, they're great.

Bestcatmum · 29/12/2022 22:15

As I drove away from the cattery my elderly girl had her paws up on the glass looking desperately after me. I felt horrible and didn't enjoy my Xmas away at all.
When I got back the lovely cattery said she'd had a lovely time watching the birds and so on.
But I never left her again. I felt awful.

Joolsin · 29/12/2022 22:15

He'll be fine. Cats don't pine in the way that dogs do. As long as they have food, cosy sleeping place and litter they might as well be at home. Our cats hate the drive there (and home again) and are always delighted to get there because it means the car journey is over!! They are equally happy to get home again!

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/12/2022 22:17

As long as it’s nice cattery he’ll be fine. You’ll pay but you knew that anyway.

Original poster
hartof · 29/12/2022 22:41

It is a lovely cattery, it's always fully booked and everyone raves about them. When I viewed it I had a nice feeling about it. It's just he's such a loving cat who always wants to be with us, I don't know how he'll cope without that. I didn't book a sitter as I thought he wouldn't cope with being in the house on his own most of the day. I'm trying to think of it as a holiday for him. But I am banning my sister from all future holidays with us 😂

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 30/12/2022 09:13

The Bengal was bonded to me and I managed to get into the cattery office without him knowing, I could see him loafing on a log watching them groom the horses content as you like. Then I called him as we went over & the performance he gave, he was definitely the most neglected cat of all time.

The one my dn found has fireplaces, flatscreen tv, human furniture and each apartment has its own catio overlooking the bird feeders. It’s nicer than my first flat.

Original poster
hartof · 30/12/2022 12:30

We've done the drop off and we're on our way. I didn't cry, I felt quite content once I saw him in his room and there's a cat opposite him which I'm sure will provide him with some entertainment.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 30/12/2022 12:40

Are you going to ring every morning like dh used to make me?

Original poster
hartof · 30/12/2022 15:01

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/12/2022 12:40

Are you going to ring every morning like dh used to make me?

😂 no they said they'll text us later, and they put photos up on their Instagram so I'll keep an eye out for him.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 30/12/2022 20:35

Mine put photos on Facebook. And are very good at replying to messages..

BakersYeast · 31/12/2022 16:45

I believe a cattery where they are seeing other cats and other people is good for their socialisation and development. Ours get a report card when we collect them which details all their eating, poos, activity etc. They love cats!!

Frayalight · 13/01/2023 18:40

How was the cattery stay and your pussy cat?

Original poster
hartof · 14/01/2023 21:12

We came home a day early, we were really missing him and my mum was poorly so thought let's just pack up and head home. We had only wanted a 3 night break but could only book 4 so it wasn't the end of the world. He was very happy to see us, I don't think he ate much (he did have a full bowl of biscuits when we got there) as he looked a bit skinnier around the face. And he wouldn't leave our side for the first week of being home. I'm hoping we've proven to him we will come back for him so he may relax more next time. But the photos the cattery sent me I could just tell he was anxious and not happy.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 14/01/2023 21:17

I pay a company to come to the house if I ever go away, my cats 19 and it's always the same person so she knows him. I check availability before I book anything! I also book 3 calls a day so she's not alone long.

Original poster
hartof · 14/01/2023 22:11

I think he'd miss company at night if I did that. I know the cattery was no better. He sleeps on the bed with us, either inbetween us by our heads or by our feet. My sister sat in last summer and she said it took him a few days before he came and slept on the bed with her. I got back feeling like I could never go on holiday again. It doesn't help that I see him as a baby not a cat 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Frayalight · 15/01/2023 08:47

Aww, I think it's a bit easier if they are a younger cat. My cats usually eat more on day 2 in the cattery. One disappears straight under a blanket when we arrive as she's a burrower! But when I collect them she looks like she either doesn't know me or has her new friend now in the manager of the cattery🤔 They settle quickly at home but I make notes of how they are after a visit as I find it can reassure me. On your cats next visit he should recognise the place. You could consider a Feliway plug in for the cattery and at home for a few days after he comes out. I also see our cats as our 'kids'.

Bestcatmum · 15/01/2023 13:36

I'm the same OP, I want to go on holiday for a week in summer and put my two in the local cattery which is a fantastic place but I'm feeling so guilty I don't want to go.
They are both rescues and its taken so long for them to really relax and become happy affectionate cats I feel like I am betraying them.
I still haven't decided what to do.

JoanOgden · 15/01/2023 14:09

I have a similarly needy cat and get someone to stay in my house via Trusted Housesitters. They've all been great, and it's cheaper too.

Original poster
hartof · 15/01/2023 18:35

Bestcatmum · 15/01/2023 13:36

I'm the same OP, I want to go on holiday for a week in summer and put my two in the local cattery which is a fantastic place but I'm feeling so guilty I don't want to go.
They are both rescues and its taken so long for them to really relax and become happy affectionate cats I feel like I am betraying them.
I still haven't decided what to do.

It's sooo difficult! We shouldn't give up our holidays for pets but it breaks my heart leaving him. On the day we decided to come home, DH woke up and said "I miss the cat please can we go home early" 😂 so it's not just me, we all missed him. We've got a big year in the family this year with events so we're not planning a main holiday, just a few nights away where I'll get my sister to sit him. DD is 16 this year so I'm sure there won't be many more family holidays she'll want to come on and assuming she doesn't go to uni then she can be here with him when she's got to that age.

OP posts:
Bestcatmum · 15/01/2023 21:00

hartof · 15/01/2023 18:35

It's sooo difficult! We shouldn't give up our holidays for pets but it breaks my heart leaving him. On the day we decided to come home, DH woke up and said "I miss the cat please can we go home early" 😂 so it's not just me, we all missed him. We've got a big year in the family this year with events so we're not planning a main holiday, just a few nights away where I'll get my sister to sit him. DD is 16 this year so I'm sure there won't be many more family holidays she'll want to come on and assuming she doesn't go to uni then she can be here with him when she's got to that age.

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That's so sweet. They are our family. It's like putting them in an orphanage 😂

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