what to do with cat when we go on holiday

[mandimoo]

i really don't know what to do for the best. we will be away for 8 days. i cannot decide what is best for him.

should I put him in a cattery, which is a totally strange environment, he will have a very limited space to occupy and he won't understand why he is there.

should i leave him at home, where he can have the run of the house, sleep on the bed, be in familiar surroundings, but someone will only pop in to feed him and do his litter twice a day.

he is not a cat that craves human company, but he does really prefer to be outside and will only use the litter tray as a very last resort. at least if i leave him at home, he can get far away from it when he has to go.

i would appreciate your views on this.

[sir.prize]

I would always use a cattery. Always safer if there is an emergency and the cat needs professional help.

[mccfluffy]

I either take murph with me, or get someone to stay at mine. I wouldn't put her in a cattery. I'd leave him at home

[Buenchico]

Cats are territorial creatures who are happy to 'use' humans but (as long as the food keeps coming) aren't really that bothered about having them around.

Leave your cat at home; he'll be happiest there (and you'll get a nice, warm welcome as soon as you get home from holiday, clutching the obligatory can of tuna which he'll willingly accept as an apology for your absence!).

Chris

[boxtops]

I would never use a cattery - I have done in the past, and the cats have not been happy. Far better to leave them in their own home, with someone you trust (and preferably, who the cats know), to pop and in and feed and see to them.
My boys now have never been anywhere else apart from to the vet, they don't know any other environment - I couldn't do it to them.

[SeaJayPea]

From reading your question I get the feeling that you already know what you think. You have many more objections in your mind as to the cattery. Does he have a cat flap so he can get in and out as he feels like it? If so, sounds like he'd be better off at home.

Only you know your cat, so really only you can make the decision.

Either way, hope that you and he have a nice time.

[boxtops]

^^ PS I always arrange with my vet that if they need care while I am away, they will hold back billing until I am back - that way my neighbour doesn't have to shell out. It's never happened, but you never know.

[ummmm]

Leave at home if poss....

My cat ignores me if I go away. I have someone stay here full time, not just to feed, and he still ignores me. Although the last time I went away he actually let the sitter stroke him....which was a major breakthrough :-)

[bensmum]

I run a pet sitting business so my advice might be a bit one-sided. Having said that some cats are better in a cattery and you know your pet better than anyone. As sir.prize says there is someone on hand in an emergency but visit the cattery first and make sure you're satisfied with the service. If you choose to have someone come in then get them to come round and acquaint themself with your cat - they should ask about habits, any illnesses, what to do in an emergency etc.

[mandimoo]

wow, thank you all for your quick answers!

seajaypea i think you are right, i instinctively feel it would be better for him to be at home, but have a niggling feeling of doubt that i am abandoning him, even though someone else will be coming.

i think arises out of the fact that i know he will be desperate to get outside and do what he does all day till he gets hungry again. but I guess he can't do this at the cattery either!

i feel much happier in making the decision to leave him home alone now. thank you all very much.

[boxtops]

mandi, the other thing we do - so he thinks we've not abandoned him - is leave our night clothes or similar on the bed so he can still smell our scents - we often come home and find our boys have been sleeping on the jamas.

[rsvp]

I'd leavehim at home but I'd make sure that the person coming in to care for him would spend some time fussing him - if he doesn't like to be fussed then it would be nice for the carer to maybe spend a little time having a cup of tea or something - just so he has a little company, even if it's at a distance.

[Answerprancer]

Leave him at home, leave a CD player on quietly and bribe a friendly neighbour/family member to come and feed/water him and check he's ok daily.

[Athley]

We have a pet sitting service that come in once a day to feed, change litter etc .... ours are excellent they stay a while and give cuddles... they also water plants, feed our fish etc. They only charge £7 per visit, so we could have them twice a day if we wanted. Our 2 cats didn't respond well to the cattery at all and are far happier at home. Pet sitting service has the details of our vet and phone numbers for us and family living close by too. We always go away feeling happier now.

[Barmaid]

I once used a cattery, but never again. My old lady wouldn't eat properly and she was a right mess when she got home. Since then, I've either had a trusted friend or relative come in or a cat sitting agency. The cats seem so much happier at home. We give them the run of the house so they still have their creature comforts - we got back at the weekend and all 4 were back within a couple of hours and with the exception of one who followed me everywhere they were absolutely fine!

[RAV1D]

Don't let the cat spoil your holiday! It sounds to me that all you will be doing once you are away from the cat is thinking about it and worrying about it. This will spoil your time spent away. The cat won't care less about you once your gone while some one else is feeding it. As long as it's getting fed then there is nowt to worry about.I'm sure it will be ok in a cattery or a friend popping round to feed it, all will be back to normal when you get home for you and the cat. Try and enjoy your holiday!

[maggiebee]

Always left my puss at home with a neighbour feeding him. Still ignored me for at least two days when I came home just to let me know he wasn't pleased.

[boxtops]

Home is best - you know your cat, I don't think about mine while we're away, ravid, I know they are at home. If they were in a cattery, yes I would be fretting about them.