Tips for using a cattery for the first time

Cathotels · 2023-05-08T15:52:52+00:00

I’ve owned cats my whole life but this summer will be the first time I’ve had to use a cattery. My current cats are 11 month old sisters and they’ll be going to a cattery for 8 days. I’ve already been to visit it and the people seemed lovely, the pens (is that the word?) seemed ok but a bit stark and obviously the cats are all side by side with other cats. One of mine is very nervous and I’m worried about how she’ll cope, there are no alternatives though. Hoping people have some tips to make it as stress free as possible for them, I will be taking their blankets and bed for them to use.

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 08/05/2023 16:56

Hiya! My cat goes to a cattery, bring their fave treats, toys, beds etc. Unfortunately they are all in pens and some pets can be noisy. I always bring a feliway spray and ask the employee there to spray some in my cat’s pen when she feeds her etc. It seems to work, my cat comes back relax after being at the cattery.
but i have to admit i prefer using a pet sitter when possible so she is in her environment at all times.

Original poster

Cathotels · 08/05/2023 16:59

Thanks @Haveallthesongsbeenwritten I’d forgotten about Feliway will get some. I’m hoping this is the first and last time we’ll have to use the cattery. We’ve never had to for previous cats, I’m feeling anxious about it already and it’s a couple of months away.

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DRS1970 · 08/05/2023 17:01

I usually put cat nip in their carrier so transport is stress free. I generally provide the cattery with a blanket or cushion my cats like, from home. Then there are familiar smells to comfort them. If you tell the cattery you have a nervous cat they will likely put them next to vacant runs, or near a cat of similar temperament.

Original poster

Cathotels · 08/05/2023 17:05

@DRS1970 what sort of catnip do you put in the carrier?

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Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 08/05/2023 18:20

Cathotels · 08/05/2023 16:59

Thanks @Haveallthesongsbeenwritten I’d forgotten about Feliway will get some. I’m hoping this is the first and last time we’ll have to use the cattery. We’ve never had to for previous cats, I’m feeling anxious about it already and it’s a couple of months away.

just think they will be in a safe place, looked after day and night if anything happens, they will be the best placed to take pets to the vets. I know it’s not a fun experience for them or you.
i never bring my cat to the cattery (i let my partner do it) because i cry every time i leave her behind. No matter how long 😂

Northernlurker · 08/05/2023 18:25

We've always used a cattery. They shouldn't be able to sneeze on each other but can sometimes see each other. Our cat hates other cats and she's always been fine.

Original poster

Cathotels · 08/05/2023 18:27

😂 I’ll definitely cry, my DH is worse than me, there’s no way he’d leave them, I know he’d turn around and come home with them 🙄

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HappyHolidai · 08/05/2023 18:32

They will have each other: that will make it much easier for them.

My 2 are close sisters and didn't really enjoy their first visit to the cattery earlier this year, but I'd used it before and knew they would be well looked-after and fussed. They hid for a bit but gradually got more used to it. I'm hoping that next time will be better because it'll be more familiar.

Previously I had 2 boy cats. One was fine on his own, then the 2 of them went in the same pen and although not good friends they were actually fine. Then the older one died and the younger one couldn't manage a cattery on his own: he was so nervous he physically shook and hid the whole time. I did try again once but he then spent 10 days hiding under a stool even though it was a lovely place.

So I think it depends on the cats but having company should definitely help them. Take their baskets and toys, tell the owners what food they like, and go away relaxed, knowing they will be well cared-for.

ScottBakula · 08/05/2023 18:38

Prior to going to the cattery get them use to going in the carrier , leave it where they see it all day so its not a new scary thing ( my cat loves his carrier and sleeps in it )
Once they are happy going in it put them in the car > then with the engine running > short drive > long drive . Do this on a regular basis at different times of the day . Try to do it at least a couple of times a week.
At least then , that part of the stay won't be stressful.

Like pp have said , put their own bedding , food , litter in with them and a unwashed sock / t-shirt of yours & DHs in the pen too

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 08/05/2023 18:41

ScottBakula · 08/05/2023 18:38

Prior to going to the cattery get them use to going in the carrier , leave it where they see it all day so its not a new scary thing ( my cat loves his carrier and sleeps in it )
Once they are happy going in it put them in the car > then with the engine running > short drive > long drive . Do this on a regular basis at different times of the day . Try to do it at least a couple of times a week.
At least then , that part of the stay won't be stressful.

Like pp have said , put their own bedding , food , litter in with them and a unwashed sock / t-shirt of yours & DHs in the pen too

My cat never ever got used to the carrier, she would absolutely hide as soon as she sees it no matter how hard we tried. I actually put her on the lid and let her wonder in the back of the car for short drive.

Toddlerteaplease · 08/05/2023 18:50

I wrote two pages of instructions on how to tell my cards apart. 🫣 my two love their cattery. It has ducks chickens and horses to watch.

Laurama91 · 08/05/2023 19:36

Did anyone put them in short times before the longer period? Does this help them in the long run?
We have 8 night holiday booked for Nov and are planning on cattery too

ListeningToZach · 08/05/2023 19:58

Take blankets, toys or anything familiar which they like. Will they be in together? My friends 2 cats go in the same cage/pen and that seems to help.

Cats are territorial and unfortunately they probably will find it a bit stressful. No cat is going to be happy away from their home and territory unless they have a rubbish home.

They may punish you by ignoring you for a day or two once home. Have their treats in plenty supply and be prepared to grovel to earn your role as cat slave back! 😬

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 08/05/2023 20:10

ListeningToZach · 08/05/2023 19:58

Take blankets, toys or anything familiar which they like. Will they be in together? My friends 2 cats go in the same cage/pen and that seems to help.

Cats are territorial and unfortunately they probably will find it a bit stressful. No cat is going to be happy away from their home and territory unless they have a rubbish home.

They may punish you by ignoring you for a day or two once home. Have their treats in plenty supply and be prepared to grovel to earn your role as cat slave back! 😬

Haha that’s so true… when they come back from cattery, treat them like king and/or queen!!

AnnaMagnani · 08/05/2023 20:18

Mine go to cattery, TBH I just dump them and go. One of mine is incredibly nervous and gets urine crystals when stressed.

She is far far better in cattery, where she hides under a blanket the whole time, than at home with a sitter. She just doesn't understand being at home without us and her usual routine. Even if the sitter is someone she knows she'd hide rather than have a cuddle.

With a sitter we have come home to find her very ill, cattery she's a bit clingy for a day but then fine.

Original poster

Cathotels · 08/05/2023 20:24

Ok this has reassured me, thank you all. They will be in together which I think will help, they love to cwtch up together as you can see from the pic I put up.

I’ll be sending them with every blanket, bed, toy they’ve ever put their paws on and buying all the feliway and catnip 😂.

The extremely nervous one is also the stupidest cat I’ve ever owned, not sure if there’s a brain cell in her pretty head, I’m not sure whether that will help her cope or make it worse 😄

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Toddlerteaplease · 08/05/2023 22:43

One of mine adored one of the staff at the cattery. As soon as Magic saw her, she'd do the quivery tail thing and ignore me!

AnnaMagnani · 09/05/2023 05:48

Are you sure the nervous one is thick?

For 6 years we said ours was the thick one as she never explored, never learnt how to open a door etc before we realised she hadn't done any of these things as she trained us.

I had a go at training the cats to sit on command. DH and DM laughed at me and said cat was too stupid. She'd got it within a day, and then learned lie down, high five, wave within a month. The 'bright' cat looked at me and walked off.

Unfortunately she'd also learnt this was an extra source of treats so would shout at me every evening until we had the training session. So I had to give it up.

But we don't call her stupid anymore.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/05/2023 06:28

I agree about the cat not being quite so thick. I always thought that mine was as thick as mince. But in the last couple of years, like a PP, I've realised that she's got me trained. And she knew exactly how to get what she wants.

AnnaMagnani · 09/05/2023 07:44

Absolutely @Toddlerteaplease Why learn to open a door when you can train a human to do it for you?