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.

[Caran]

Daughter and family have been away for 3 weeks in Croatia. 2 dogs are in kennels. £396 for duration. 2 cats left at home. I go every day to feed and empty litter ray for one of them, the other goes out. I have cuddles with both of them and play times, ie chasing string and ribbon round the rooms. Both cats are fine. Family came hme last night, animals all happy to see them no problems. I couldn't cop looking after 2 very boisterous dogs and walks as well thats why they had to go in kennels.

[Caran]

We also did garden watering, veg plot sorting and thinning, house plant sorting, lawn mowing so a busy time was had by both of us.

[tigwig]

I asked exactly this question once and I decided to leave mine at home where he has been a lot happier. Dont get me wrong, he doesnt eat quite as much and obviously misses us by the reaction we get when home but being locked up in a cage is not nice for an animal thats used to coming and going as they please.
Mine spends alot of time outside and has a cat flap so he can do so. The only worry is if anything happened to them but I try to put that to the back of my mind.
I have used a cattery twice previous to this and found them very expensive and my cat barely ate a thing the whole time he was there so was clearly not happy.

[MantaRay]

If you have someone you trust to look after your cat and home then there's no need to put moggie in the cattery, unless there are issue with medication or health concerns. Always sensible to advise your cat carer of such things as which vet you use and where the cat carrier is should there be any problems.