Going on holiday for a week - what do I do with my cats?!

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tigger01

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Ok strange question and sorry its so long and not sure what this comes under - no feline section!!! I have two cats - a plain good old moggy I've had for 7 years and have just acquired a Siamese rescue cat who had since January. Problem is I'm going away for a week and I need to decide what to do with them. I have a number of options but all have pros and cons:
1. leave them at home and get someone to come in and feed them twice a day. Only trouble is Siamese not allowed out at night so my old moggy would have to be locked in all night. Also Siamese is very affectionate and loves attention.
2. Take them both to a friends but that's a good hour's drive away, but they would be with someone all day, but not their home and smells.
3. Find someone who'd like to stay here for a week and look after them? a sort of free holiday but I dont know anyone .
So, any other suggestions gratefully received. I am so worried about the Siamese and didnt help when someone said it would prob run away when it couldnt find me!
confused.gif
Rather not go away!!!
 
Hows about you put them both into a cattery, that way, they are together and there home routine wouldn't be disturbed. Hope that makes sense.
Hope you have a good hols
 
Hate my cats being put in a cattery, so my lovely neighbour comes in to feed and fuss. At least then they are not scared by being taken from home.
 
I always leave my cats at home when I go away and the neighbour or a friend comes and feeds them once a day (they have adlib food). Mine can go out at night though, and they sleep in the garage so can come and go as they please. Is there any reason why your cat cant go out at night?
 
They arent innoculated so cattery isnt really an option - as far as I'm aware they must be innoculated to go there. It's a shame cos there's a lovely one down the road but I just didnt get my act together in time to organise their jabs. We do have lovely neighbours but they're not really cat people and to be honest I think they think I'm mad that I'd even contemplate cancelling my hols because of my cats! Usually the horse, but this year she's not the problem. I do have a friend who will pop in, but the Siamese needs to have some company otherwise I think she'll go crazy (or as suggested before - leave home!!)
 
GigglePig - I dont know why my Siamese doesnt go out at night. I guess it's cos she sleeps with me and my moggy is locked in downstairs and has access to the catflap so he's allowed out at night. From reading this it makes me sound like some neurotic pet owner!!! Perhaps I am.....?!
 
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They arent innoculated so cattery isnt really an option

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Is there a reason you dont vaccinate your cats? Especially since they both seem to go outside daily and therefore meet other cats etc.
 
Not at all, everyones different! Im sleeping with my window open at the moment and I have to say my cats will come in to sleep on my bed for a couple of hours, but will be off out again at dawn. Maybe see what your cat thinks of being out at night before you go, then if its happy you wont have anything to worry about!
 
I would get someone to come in and see to them twice a day, and keep them in for the duration of the holiday.
Better space and home surroundings, but no worry about the cat sitter aving to worry about letting out and bringing in.

Then I;d get them vaccinated as cat flu, cat leukeamia and parvo virus are horrid, and widespread,
 
Try a petsitter, we've used one for our 3 cats a number of times. In my area, they cost about £7 per visit, ours are fine with once a day, but they are house cats. They feed, clean up, "muck out", fuss and cuddle the cats, and will also water plants, draw curtains etc etc. One cat sitter also kept a diary of what they were doing each day when she came to the house, if they'd eaten, been to the toilet etc etc and what she did with them while she was there. She was also happy to text as many times as you wanted to let you know how they are. 2 of my 3 cats have heart murmurs and therefore can't be placed under undue stress, so this way they could keep in their familiar surroundings, and be fed at normal times. Make sure you get a cat sitter that is insured and police checked - there is a registration body (National Petsitters Association???) where you can get references. YOu should also have a preliminary meeting so the sitter can get used to the cats and your home.

There is also Animal Aunts who provide "Live-in" pet sitters - my parents tried this with their elderly dog last year and it worked really well, but I'm not sure how much it cost.
 
Hi Tiger 01, dont know where you live but iam a proffesional house sitter i move in and take care of peoples animals and property, so as not to move them out of there own surroundings. If you are interested pm me, I do travel to most places.
 
I've got two cats, one Siamese and one Oriental and I couldn't put mine in a cattery if going away as one is elderly and the other one is highly strung and would hate it - neither would cope in a strange place.

So, if it was me, I would either have someone come and feed/check them twice a day but if at all possible, don't let either of them out so that person hasn't got to worry about getting them in etc. If the cats get on okay they will keep each other company and will probably sleep most of the time anyway.

Or if not too expensive, pay someone to house-sit for you so the cats can go about their normal routine though knowing Siamese, they will still be upset whatever you do and insist you stay at home
grin.gif
 
There are lots of petsitting companies. We have had as many as 5 dogs and 11 cats when we've gone on hols before and it worked out a lot cheaper than kennels and the gang were very happy.
We only have 2 dogs and 6 cats now (horses at livery) and I would still get a petsitter.
They are usually police checked, insured and have some degree of vet care.
Have a lovely relaxing holiday!
 
Agree wth Bexj - there's some fab catsitters out there - but also some rougues. Get a visit prior to the holiday so you can show where the toys, food is etc and exactly how you want the litter tray cleaned as there are so many different types of litter that not all cat sitters seem familiar with them all. Remember to write down insurance and vet details just in case and provide phone no of your hotel/mobile. Your vet may be a good place to ask about cat sitters as they often have good contacts of vet nurses etc that do it. Cats are very territoral and would generally be a lot happier in their own home and many cats sleep 18 hours a day so to be honest, they may well just keep sleeping out of boredom and only wake up for the catsitter to get a bit of fuss and attention. At least if one complains about not getting out at night there will be no-one to hear the wails!!!!
 
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