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We have a trip we are planning coming up. Its a once in a life time opportunity and it will be for about 4 weeks. Would our cat be OK for this long Aith a cat sitter coming in 2 times a day. Or should we think about a cattery instead? Im worried he will be lonely at home. But equally worried that he would be cooped up in a cattery.

Or maybe we should forget about the trip.

Just following this as have a similar question

The thing is though would he get much more attention in a battery? Or is it just someone popping in to feed / scoop litter a couple of times a day?

4 weeks is too long for twice a day visits imo! Anything over 5 days I have someone to stay in the house.

Would you be open to a family member / cat sitter staying in the house? That way your cat stays in their territory, they also get to socialise.

I would 100% go for cattery - they will be a bit bored (but have you seen how much cats sleep ) but safe.

A house sitter is a possibility but only if they are cat people ( we nearly lost one of ours because they didn't know that always being in his bed was not normal behaviour for him, he had been badly hurt)

4 weeks is quite a long time. Could a friend/relative have him live with them? My mum occasionally has my cat to stay with her when we go away.

No one to stay unfortunately.

Do they get any attention in a cattery? Or is it just feeding and then left alone?

I'm a cat sitter and I do exactly this for two cats in their own home for a month every year - they are always absolutely fine.

I spend half an hour there twice a day - they get fed, I change the litter and play with one of them. The other isn't interested really but will occasionally have a fuss.

Never had any issues and the cats seem perfectly happy and healthy and not remotely stressed. They're indoor cats btw.

I'd use a cat sitter. We used to leave Harry for 2 weeks at a time with someone coming in twice a day and he was fine. We're going away for 3 weeks later this year and if we have a cat by then we'll use one of the sitters we used for Harry. I think most cats are happier in their own home.

Our cat would stay at home with a sitter, no problem

I think a lot of it will depend on the temperament of cat

Thank you all. He's a very calm cat. Doesn't cause much bother! So I think we will go with the cat sitter!

Thanks all

If go for cattery - just takes away all (well most) of the worry

Look at Trusted Housesitters. We've just been away for a month. Would never have left mine alone 24/7 for a month with just 2 short visits a day.

I found some amazing sitters on Cat in a Flat, and lots do overnight stays. Highly recommend.

I’m a cat sitter. Most cats are much happier in their own home. If you don’t have a radio/alexa then get one and ask cat sitter to leave it on so house isn’t dead silent. I put on ‘talking’ radio during day and quiet jazz at night. I would also invest in a camera so you can keep an extra eye every so often. I tend to sit and watch some tv in the evening with longer term visits if I have time. Two baskets of toys is good too so cat sitter can swop them around. I also do things like hide some treats around house when I visit to give the cats something to do or I leave treat puzzles.

What area op? Definitely recommend the cattery we use. North East...

If your cat goes outside, take him to the cattery. If he was killed or injured, a feeding person might not realise that he was missing and wouldn't be as invested in finding him as you would be. In a cattery, he can't get hurt.

Thanks all. Very good points. I shall take all onboard! Thank you

South East, West Sussex @Windydaysandwetnights

Too far sadly. The sense of knowing dcat is safe is far greater than home being fed.... Ndn fed our 2 one year. Incident free but I did worry. When 1 died I felt I couldn't leave 1 Home Alone... Apparently he did meow the whole time but the fecker does that at home anyway! Got him a new buddy and they both go in now. Seriously dkitten came out dcat sized after 2 weeks in there!!

Stupidly just remembered the person who looks after our parrot also has a seperate cattery! Proper brain fart at the moment!

I shall ask him!

Thanks all

I think your cat will be happier in its own home with someone staying there for company, feeding, playing with it and pooping scooping. In the cattery they get a large cage, are fed well but my cats would hate to be separated from each other and not be fussed and petted. I'm lucky because my adult DS moves back in every other day as he has his own 2 cats now so can feed both and spend his time between both homes.