Cattery or Pet Sitting?

KiKi

libgysig wrote: »

I'm in a similar situation. We're off on holiday in a few weeks and we did plan to have my MIL pop in once a day to feed our cats Ginny and Molly. Unfortunately, the girls have started to fight every time they see each other and we're currently living with one upstairs and the other downstairs.

I don't know what to do for the best.

You may be better *not* keeping them apart. This reinforces the fighting behaviour when they're together. They can't fight 24/7, so over the next few weeks, re-introduce them slowly, give treats for calm behaviour and let them hack and hiss every now and then - it doesn't matter too much.

For example, start by feeding them together, then separating them again - they're less likely to fight when eating! Have them in a room together for 10 minutes, then let them wander off.

Cats will often fight - but if they've always lived together, they're unlikely to fight all the time. They might just need to let off steam every now and then. Just don't punish them for it as it reinforces the fighting.

KiKi

morg_monster

We put our cats in a lovely cattery with much trepidation for the first time about 3m after we got them, but they seemed to have a great time and we saw zero behaviour changes etcetera when we got them home. One is a little needy so I feel a whole week of 1 or even 2 half hour slots of human contact a day for isn't enough for her (esp since a cat sitter also has to scoop litter, wash and refill bowls, etc), whereas she loves watching out the windows, "talking" to other cats and peopl, etc, so seems to enjoy the cattery life. The other is very adventurous and I would worry that potentially if a cat sitter came at the same time each day, depending on kitty's routine they might not see her for the whole week; she could be stuck up a tree or on the roof or something and they wouldn't know!

If I knew someone who was happy to come live in our house for the duration I would totally do that, but I'm not particularly happy with having a stranger in our house. If we're away for longer than 2 nights but less than a week, before I book a cattery stay I first ask my parents and brother if they can drop in over those days - although they can't stay over, they come to our house for whole evenings, cook themselves dinner, fuss the cats for a good couple of hours, refill bowls/feeders and do the litter etc.

rising_from_the_ashes

If it's for a few days I'd leave them at home with someone popping in but if longer I'd guess I'd have to consider a cattery which I'd dread with the 2 I've got now (and there is a really great one not too far which I've used before).

My old cat used to go and was fine as he was used to it - my big boy's never been, is a very nervous boy so don't think he'd cope too well.

My wee girl has been once when she was very little - I was going away for a couple of days and she was recovering from a torn tendon in her knee so didn't want to leave the 2 of them in the house (albeit with someone popping in twice a day). She hid the whole time she was there sandwiched between 2 blankets in her bed.

Now she's bigger, she HATES other cats so think she'd really struggle in one too.

I guess in one way, it's good that I can't afford holidays!:(

libgysig wrote: »

I'm in a similar situation. We're off on holiday in a few weeks and we did plan to have my MIL pop in once a day to feed our cats Ginny and Molly. Unfortunately, the girls have started to fight every time they see each other and we're currently living with one upstairs and the other downstairs.

I don't know what to do for the best.

KiKi wrote: »

You may be better *not* keeping them apart. This reinforces the fighting behaviour when they're together. They can't fight 24/7, so over the next few weeks, re-introduce them slowly, give treats for calm behaviour and let them hack and hiss every now and then - it doesn't matter too much.

For example, start by feeding them together, then separating them again - they're less likely to fight when eating! Have them in a room together for 10 minutes, then let them wander off.

Cats will often fight - but if they've always lived together, they're unlikely to fight all the time. They might just need to let off steam every now and then. Just don't punish them for it as it reinforces the fighting.

KiKi

My two used to get on until there the big one was involved in a fight and injured. The wee one saw this as her chance for dominance and I ended up having to keep them in separate rooms for 3 months - it was a total nightmare. He wasn't too bad but she went absolutely nuts every time she say him. Even letting them out was terrible, one in / one out etc.

Gradual reintroduction has worked to some extent, they're not the best of friends but tolerate each other most of the time. They've even been lying sleeping in my bedroom (albeit at other ends) recently however fights do still happen (always the wee girl that starts it) often for no reason ie walked past each other, touched noses and them 5 mins later mayhem ensues.

Good luck

libgysig

@Kiki and @rising from the ashes

Well, we're on week 2 of separation and I just want my lovely kittens back

This morning, before I fed them, I put each cat into a catbox and made them face each other. There was a lot of hissing and growling from the little one and the bigger one looked rather shocked but I suspect she would have gone for the little one. Anyway, I let them "face off" for five minutes and then I separated and fed them. I'm thinking about doing this every morning, just so that they start associating each other with food. I don't know if that's right or not. I want to start seeing results but at the same time I know that these things take time.

And there I went, thinking that after having cats for years with the parents, that they were easy pets...:rotfl:

headpin

We have two pedigree British Shorthair cats (brother and sister). In this situation we have found that the breeder that we bought them from is more than happy to catch up with them and pamper them when we are on hols. In addition, she only charges a pittance compared to the professional sitters/catteries and we know they are well loved and cared for.

Just a thought

*doodle*_2

I'm not having a stranger in my house and I'm not putting mine in a cattery. When we go away, my best friend moves into my house. I give her a few quid, stock the fridge up and everyone is happy. We have been friends since we were kids and I know that she will care for them just as well as I do. Also, I don't need to panic about my house.

bluebeary

well it depends on the cat, my cat is quite timid and i feel a cat sitter would totally freak him out into not coming out of hiding or running out the door and not coming back untill we returned

i choose a cattery because i know he will be safe and secure with warmth, food and water

yes he has to miss out on going outside for a bit but im paying for peace of mind as well you see

it all depends on the cats nature and temperament

rising_from_the_ashes

libgysig wrote: »

@Kiki and @rising from the ashes

Well, we're on week 2 of separation and I just want my lovely kittens back

This morning, before I fed them, I put each cat into a catbox and made them face each other. There was a lot of hissing and growling from the little one and the bigger one looked rather shocked but I suspect she would have gone for the little one. Anyway, I let them "face off" for five minutes and then I separated and fed them. I'm thinking about doing this every morning, just so that they start associating each other with food. I don't know if that's right or not. I want to start seeing results but at the same time I know that these things take time.

And there I went, thinking that after having cats for years with the parents, that they were easy pets...:rotfl:

That's probably a good way to start - and I think KiKi is right that food helps. Mine are now back to "sharing" the spare room which has dry food/litter tray in and there is never any fighting in there, or in the kitchen where they are fed their wet food (at opposite ends). Yes, there's still the odd hissy fit/swipe from one or the other in those rooms but no real "serious" stuff.

Wishing you the best of luck, it's a horrible thing to go through and I was about at my wits end of what to do - the thought of having to rehome one of them was terrible but I couldn't have gone on like that forever!