What to do with cat on holiday?

[ycbm]

We're down to a single cat for the first time ever and I'm looking for your recommendations. In the past we've had a lovely lady come in to feed and play with them twice a day. As it turns out, the cat we have left is much happier on her own in the house than she was when sharing with her brother. But I'm just a little worried about leaving her on her own. But she's 11 now and never been put into a cattery.

Would you

- leave her on her own with the visitor twice a day
- put her into a cattery
- do something I haven't thought of?

She seemed fine for 3 days over Christmas, but I'm planning some longer breaks, 8 days and maybe 11 or 12 days.

All thoughts gratefully received.
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[HappyHollyDays]

Leave her at home.

I used to travel extensively pre horses, months at a time and my cats always stayed at home with a neighbour coming in twice a day. They had a cat flap open during the day and were locked in at night, plenty of litter trays, food on tap and were perfectly happy.

 

[Equi]

Another vote for home. She’ll enjoy the peace and quiet!

 

[nagblagger]

Another keep at home. How long does the lady stay each visit?

 

[ycbm]

Another keep at home. How long does the lady stay each visit?

I pay for half an hour. In reality I doubt Noo would be playful for that long, she probably goes and sleeps somewhere after about 15 minutes.
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[Emilieu]

I’d leave her at home too. Maybe install a cat cam near where she likes to sleep, so you can tune in and enjoy her chilling out. Does she go outside? If not, put a bird feeder outside a window she likes to sit at and let the birds provide the entertainment in between visits.

 

[Fjord]

I'm another for leaving her at home. It's far less stressful for them, I'm sure.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would leave her at home. I don't think most cats settle well in catteries tbh, because of the number of strange cats that are staying there.

 

[Snow Falcon]

We've always left ours at home. I'm sure your cat will be happy with food and her favourite snoozing spot.

 

[Ratface]

I'm another one for leaving your cat at home. In the past, when I was working away and had live-in pet servants, when I returned the cats always complained about the staff interrupting their sleeping habits, but otherwise found them generally easy to train.

 

[pistolpete]

Yep leave her at home. She’ll much prefer it.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d put her in to a battery, unless she’s an indoor cat.

 

[Ratface]

I’d put her in to a battery, unless she’s an indoor cat.

Has she metamorphosed into a hen?

 

[SEL]

I go for cattery but that's because mine likes to worry new servants and go wandering if her usual slaves go away

She sleeps, sulks and eats while in there.

 

[ycbm]

I’d put her in to a battery, unless she’s an indoor cat.

She goes into our tiny garden, but no further. She'll ignore a litter tray to go in the garden and she pops out often just to make sure it's still there.
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[PinkvSantaboots]

I would leave her at home and just get someone in to feed her.

 

[splashgirl45]

I would also leave her at home, maybe put a timer on lights and a radio so she has a bit of a distraction , also it will look like someone’s home

 

[meleeka]

I’d leave her at home and get the lady to put a radio on during the day. My parents used to go away for a couple of weeks and leave the cat. I used to go once a day and the neighbour did the other time. She was fine, if a little more affectionate than usual.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I’d leave at home. I’ve never put mine in a cattery and they’ve been perfectly fine with twice day visits from friends and neighbours. Even down to one I did that. I guess it depends on the cat but they do spend most of the time asleep anyway.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Ours have never been in a cattery and are indoor cats so I wouldn't want them to be

We had them them stay at home during our honeymoon. It was originally going to be OH friend looking after them but he pulled out. We looked at trusted house sitters but i worry and thought what if we get a dodgy one

So put out a desperate plea on our neighbourhood what's app - only for someone on our close to say he's a registered pet sitter! Gave us details to get references and insurance info.

We didn't have him stay overnight however he had pet cams and was in the same road so would be there if any major issues. We also paid for him to do morning and lunch feeds, then paid for him to sit with them for a few hours in the evenings to keep them company as obviously they're used to company. Could you ask if the lady minds sitting with her for a bit during a visit to chat with her / move a few toys for her etc?

 

[Esmae]

I would leave her at home. I don't think most cats settle well in catteries tbh, because of the number of strange cats that are staying there.

Having had a cattery I disagree. All of our visitors settled and were perfectly relaxed. Safe warm and secure. I would go for the cattery option.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Noo have been satisfied with the set up of being left at home, and a lady visiting twice per day before. So my main worry would be if you need to change to a visitor you haven't used before, ideally, I wouldn't want to leave for over a week with a person I hadn't used before. But like the @Crazy_cat_lady described, I would probably want the visitor to stay a bit longer at at least one of the daily visits, just sit and read a newspaper/book/surf the internet on their mobile phone. If your cat then would want to have a bit more human company some time after the playing, she can go to the visitor, if she doesn't want it, she will still know that she's not alone in the home for x amount of time.

On the other hand, if you left her in a cattery, I assume that if they're any good, the owner/staff knows how to make cats feel comfortable in their cattery. You also have the benefit of them spending more time around/nearby the cats if something happens. But e.g. if Noo really hates travelling even short distances in a cat transport, then that would of course be a big con with the cattery option.

A third option could be an in-home cat sitter. But if Noo was a very friendly cat, who is unhappy without human company for too long, and not too picky about specifically which human it have to be, I assume she wouldn't have been happy with the two visits daily previous arrangements.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I was rather hoping this was a post where people recommended activities for the OP to do on holiday with her cat. With pictures.

 

[crazyandme]

I was rather hoping this was a post where people recommended activities for the OP to do on holiday with her cat. With pictures.

Something rather like this?

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[pistolpete]

I used to keep my horse at a yard that had a cattery also. They stress quite a lot. Often don’t eat well and sometimes over groom. I know cattery owners and fans will say theirs love it but most cats. Dare I say 8 of 10 probably prefer their own environment. Sorry poor joke!

 

[littleshetland]

I was rather hoping this was a post where people recommended activities for the OP to do on holiday with her cat. With pictures.

Thats what I thought too! I wanted to reply 'Take her to the beach..' or 'buy her an ice cream' or some such frivolous comment....
seriously tho, I'd leave her at home and have someone pop in to feed her.

 

[ycbm]

This has been really helpful, thanks. I'm sure catteries are right for people with different character cats and in different geographical areas but I'm now settled that she should stay in her own home and have Auntie Rachel visit. You've set my mind at rest, I this forum.
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[Ratface]

Madam Carrie Cat wishes to point out that her staff will never be allowed to spend more than four hours a day away from her. Ever.
Standards must be maintained and rewards given. Beforehand and afterwards. Dreamies. Multiple flavours. Of course, fresh cooked chicken slices would be better . . .

 

[FinnishLapphund]

This has been really helpful, thanks. I'm sure catteries are right for people with different character cats and in different geographical areas but I'm now settled that she should stay in her own home and have Auntie Rachel visit. You've set my mind at rest, I this forum.
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Sorry, forgot to wish you a happy holiday.

 

[ycbm]

Sorry, forgot to wish you a happy holiday.

We haven't booked it yet. I was pre-planning for when I can do it, hopefully soon, just a few bits to get settled first. I didn't want to be faced with researching catteries at short notice. But thank you
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