Cattery stress

FelineAmazing

Hi,
I recently put my cats into a cattery for the first time and it did not go well! I'd done my research, visited in advance and made sure the cattery was FAB approved - all seemed to be well until the poor little mites actually had to stay there.
I knew it would be a stressful experience for them and that cats hate to be out of their territory but I wanted them to be properly looked after in my absence and the other cats there seemed fine and alert...apparently mine hid all day and wailed all night!!
Now I am not at all sure if I should use a cattery again. Can I hope they will be more used to it next time and know that I will be coming back for them or does it not work like that?
Has anyone had a similar experience or can anyone recommend an alternative?
They are indoors cats and I would not want a pet sitter 'living' in my home while I'm away. Unfortunately I don't have any friends or family nearby that could come and check on them.
Help!

McKneff

We had the same problem with our cat, but what made it worse was that when we got back to pick her up she had been the only cat in. She was there 3 days. You cant imagine the guilt we felt when we went to pick her up. She had sat at the back of her cage for 3 days with only company at feeding time.
Mind, as soon as she got into the house, she took over as Lady of the Manor so there were no long term effects.

You can get 'sitters' who dont live in your home, they just pop in to see that everything is okay and to feed and change litter trays.

h007

I had this dilema recently but thankfully a friend of mine is travelling down to stay with her mum the week i am away so she is popping in to see the cats for me.

you say you dont want a pet sitter living in your home but how about one visiting your cats once or twice a day but not staying?

picklepick

Have you thought about using a cat sitter. It's a service the company I work for provides.
We dont stay in your house, we come in morning and evening and if you prefer also at lunch time. We clean out litter trays, change water, feed and have a nice cuddle! For half an hour at each visit. We also pick up post, open and close curtains, water your house plants, turn lights on and off etc.
This probably costs a little more than a cattery and its not for everyone but by the sounds of it, your cats will be much happier when you get back having stayed in their own home.

Joelleski

I have the same problem with my one of my two when they go into the cattery ... Smudge will be fine, in fact she behaves like a tart whenever anyone goes near her, but Barnie spends the time hiding under the blanket being terrified. I always feel terrible about it, but on his return he's absolutely fine (purrs VERY loudly, and wanders from room to room, shouting he's home). I would prefer they stay home when I go away, but that's not possible unfortunately ... (and unfortunately for my bank balance:rotfl:) They're not keen, but they have got used to it ...

FelineAmazing

Hmm, someone visiting rather than staying sounds more like it - I will investigate. I just don't think I can put them through it again!
I'll be interested to see how the cost compares to a cattery actually - the cattery I chose is meant to be a good one, hence the cost presumably...over £20 a day for a double pen. Gets pricey when you're looking at a 2 week holiday but must have happy little kitties!!
Thanks all for replies and suggestions.

paulwf

It does sound like getting a sitter to visit a.m. and p.m. would be best.

We always try and have holidays in 1 week blocks. If we depart on day 1 and return on day 7 the mogs only have 5 days apart from us. I'd prefer not to leave the mogs for 2 weeks in a row.

gingin_2

We've just got back from holiday and had a sitter in. Once a day, £8 a visit and she even took the bins out, watered the plants and left us a little progress report. Our cat is also an indoor cat and was soo much happier than being in a cattery

paddypaws101

My cats are all pretty anti-social scaredy pants.....so I have never considered the cattery route, anyway there are too many of them! I have used both visting cat sitters and live in sitters ( as cats are older I worry more! ) and would highly recommend it. I just don't think most cats are portable in the way that dogs are.