Looking after cats whilst on holiday

jackieblack

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

At 17 years old? I wouldn't have thought so, especially if she's never been to one before. It would be far too stressful. She may not be familiar with their house either but at least she'd be with her owner.

There was nothing in the OPs post to indicate whether or not Mum's cat was accustomed to going to a cattery.
My old cat (19) LOVED going to the cattery, he got to eat, sleep and have plenty of fuss. He didn't find it remotely stressful, but he had been going there periodocally for over 10 years so knew all the girls well and the knew him.
He would have found it far more stressful to be taken to a strange house already inhabited by other cats he didn't get on with.

CDaniels1987

jackieblack wrote: »

There was nothing in the OPs post to indicate whether or not Mum's cat was accustomed to going to a cattery.
My old cat (19) LOVED going to the cattery, he got to eat, sleep and have plenty of fuss. He didn't find it remotely stressful, but he had been going there periodocally for over 10 years so knew all the girls well and the knew him.
He would have found it far more stressful to be taken to a strange house already inhabited by other cats he didn't get on with.

Yeah it's my mistake for not putting that in, but she's never been to a cattery so at her age think it would be too stressful.

jackieblack

CDaniels1987 wrote: »

Yeah it's my mistake for not putting that in, but she's never been to a cattery so at her age think it would be too stressful.

In which case, I agree

DigForVictory

+1 for an onsite sitter. I worked for a nanny agency, and was asked if I could "babysit" three cats in their own home, and was paid to spend a couple of hours a day with them.

It's not that expensive, definitely not that stressful & you can interview the catsitters & see how your cats get on with them. You can also ask for an IT literate sitter who can email you photos. It's a trust thing, but you might well find you liked the sitter, as did your cats.

Then enjoy your holiday!

Fluff15

Could she not alternate days of staying at hers and then at yours? With popping in for an evening meal for the 'non sleepover' cat that evening? That way, both sets of cats get fed morning and night, and have lots of people time each. A bit of a pain in the bottom for your mum, but if you're worried about cat-sitters and the such it will overcome this.

When my mum goes away, usually for no more than three days, I will have an evening watching TV at hers so her cat has company, then sleep at mine and just pop in every evening and mornings for feeding. My mum also feeds my cats morning and evenings too if I've gone away, and she'll stop at mine for a few hours on days it's convenient to her so the moglets get some good playtime in (they're indoor cats so we're not worried about them missing the outside). It works well for us, and the cats don't show any signs of stress when it's going on, they just think it's more people to feed them!

CDaniels1987

Fluff15 wrote: »

Could she not alternate days of staying at hers and then at yours? With popping in for an evening meal for the 'non sleepover' cat that evening? That way, both sets of cats get fed morning and night, and have lots of people time each. A bit of a pain in the bottom for your mum, but if you're worried about cat-sitters and the such it will overcome this.

When my mum goes away, usually for no more than three days, I will have an evening watching TV at hers so her cat has company, then sleep at mine and just pop in every evening and mornings for feeding. My mum also feeds my cats morning and evenings too if I've gone away, and she'll stop at mine for a few hours on days it's convenient to her so the moglets get some good playtime in (they're indoor cats so we're not worried about them missing the outside). It works well for us, and the cats don't show any signs of stress when it's going on, they just think it's more people to feed them!

That would of been perfect, however my mum doesn't drive and it's over an hour away on public transport, I wouldn't want my mum doing that on her own.

gettingready

When I go away, with 4 cats and a dog cattery/kennels would not be a reasonable option so I normally have someone come and stay with my little zoo in my flat. They are happy this way and I do not worry about them being stressed.

mrsscattercushion

With our (now sadly departed) old boy, we had a fabulous cat sitter who came in for 2 30 mins visits a day. It worked really well for our boy, who hated catteries and wouldn't eat. This way he was in his own territory, with all his familiar things and routines and a person he liked coming in for feeding, brush, play etc...worked really well and about a similar price to a cattery, plus we knew someone was keeping an eye on the house.


will definitely look at this option for our new boy, esp as doesn't like other cats!

tanith

This is sadly one of the reasons when our last cat died we decided not to have any more animals and have a few years of holidays without the worry of what to do with the cats.. a cat sitter is the only answer I can offer..

CDaniels1987

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I think my mum bringing her cat is still he best option and try and keep them separated where possible, I just hope that my mums elderly cat will not stress too much with this