cattery

[dojo]

So we've had our kitten/cat for 4 months since he was 5 months old. He is extremely timid and nervous. He doesn't generally go outside. He is fine with us around the the house and normally good with visitors (if not a little shy) except for when friends kids come over & then he runs a mile.

The misses and I went away for the weekend so we took him to the Cattery, we picked him up last night and it transpired he had basically hid under a box all weekend and not really eaten, when we put him in the basket he got him self so wound up he crapped everywhere!!! When we got home (and cleaned him up) he was absolutely fine and happy as Larry to be home.

We quite often go away for the weekend and have previously have left the pop up feeder but if we're away for longer in the Summer etc then it isn't really viable and getting someone in to house/cat sit every time isn't a satisfactory option. (We put him in this time as figure he needs to start getting used to it)

In peoples experience to they get used to the cattery, I don't want to stress the thing out but on the other hand does he just need to man up bit? Cats are born survivors and he has a pretty great life so a few days in the cattery here and there is no great shakes...hmm.. not quite sure what to think???

[Rotaree]

I own a cattery so feel reasonably qualified to try to help. We sometimes get cats/kittens in that are really nervous but with plenty of care and attention they have always come round. It's difficult to know how the cattery you use will treat their charges - we are a relatively small set-up so can offer plenty of time to the cats that need it. If you think that your cattery is not able or willing to give the time it might be worth shopping around. You probably did this anyway but it sometimes helps to take in a few familiar things with your cat - his own bed, scratching post etc. but really in my experience it is just down to the way they are treated in there and familiarity over time so it may just be a case of persevering.

[bexVN]

Lots of people use cat sitters for 1,2,3 weeks at a time with no.problem at all. A cat does not do well not eating for more than 24hrs (not like dogs) so if he really is going to hate a cattery that much then there is a risk longer visits will leave him in quite a poor way.

If you find the right sort of cattery you may find he can adjust, but you should seek a small dedicated cattery to help achieve this. They are around.

And no, don't expect him to 'man up' it doesn't work like that, cats are cautious creatures and esp if poorly socialised at a young age may struggle with change more. I would never have put my old cat Fitz in a cattery due to his character (he miaowed himself hoarse once when in the vets a couple days) but my other cats would have been ok.

Edited by bexVN on Monday 2nd February 11:14

[dojo]

Thanks for the replies,

So the cattery from what we could see was lovely, it had a little shed with only 10 cats in - all had an outside an inside bit, heat lamp etc etc no dogs and there were only 5 cats in. Really quiet location so I can't think what else he would need, we didn't take his scratch post but we did leave the jumper that he likes to sleep on.

I think he ate a few biscuits but not any wet and I don't think he really slept cause as soon as we got back he had a sniff around and within 30 min he was spark out!!

He would be fine with a cat sitter but really its where to find one, most of our friends work etc and I'm worried if he doesn't get used to the cattery then if we can't get a sitter one time and we have to stick him in for a fortnight it will really do his head in, I think if he gets to learn over a few weekend visits that he always comes home then he'll be fine - I just didn't expect him to still be under the box (which is where he ran as soon as we dropped him off!!!

Maybe we'll try him on a couple of other weekends and see if there is an improvement!!

[bexVN]

Sounds nice, maybe worth seeing just how much time they spent with him, try some natural calming remedies before he goes such as Zylkene and Kalmaid (can be used together) they do work.

There are professional cat sitters many are ex vet nurses (or current!) with insurance etc. When you find one just book them as you would a cattery (catteries are not always available at short notice either) cat sitters will often know people they trust that can help if they are booked. I've helped my cat sitter friend out before now.

My 'own' cat sitter is lovely (and not a vet nurse . He lives my side of town but turns out he took his cats to the practice I work at on the other side of town, small world eh!!

[Jasandjules]

I would suggest a pet sitter.

[vixen1700]

Do you have a PetPals in your area? http://www.petpals.com/

Been using our local person for about five years now and can't recommend him highly enough, when we go away he comes a couple of times a day and looks after our cat.

[Simpo Two]

My cat freaks out at catteries too - probably reminds her of being a rescue cat again. Hence I always ask trusted neighbours to look after her if I'm away. She's much happier in an empty house than in an alien cattery full of weird noises and smells.

[dojo]

ok - Maybe I'll look into getting professional pet sitters if I can't get mates/family to do it. How much do you normally pay for petpals or similar??

[vixen1700]

dojo said:

ok - Maybe I'll look into getting professional pet sitters if I can't get mates/family to do it. How much do you normally pay for petpals or similar??

Not sure exactly, but I think it may be just under £20 a day, that's for two visits.

Our cat is always relaxed when we get back from holiday, so money well spent.

[bexVN]

It was about £12 a day for 2 visits a day. Couple years ago now though

[TwistingMyMelon]

I use local pet visitors/feeders, I also ask my bro/sis/mum to pop in when we are away for our two

Our two would hate cattery's, one is quite elderly, she likes her home routine and is happy on her own.

We just make sure the cats get fed and checked every other day and accidents are cleared up! Getting family to do the odd check, ensures the pet sitters are actually going in (would be horrendous if they forgot!) plus I know my sister or brother will sit down with them for 5-10 minutes

Isnt too bad, cheaper for them to visit every other day than in putting them in a cattery

[mrmaggit]

We have the worst of both worlds with one of our cats. He hates the cattery, but he also hates strangers, our neighbours (that he gets on with) are allergic to cats.

If we had a cat sitter, they'd need to be around everyday for him to get used to them.

So he goes to the cattery, hates it, but it's really the best we can do. The other one doesn't really care, although she always makes a fuss of us when we pick her up.

I sometimes wonder how Guzzi managed to chill out enough to get board in our house, he has always been OK with both of us.

It's a running joke in our little area that you're not accepted until Guzzi will let you stroke him.

[The Moose]

bexVN said:

he miaowed himself into a horse once

Now that's a trick I'd like to see!!

[bexVN]

The Moose said:

bexVN said:

he miaowed himself into a horse once

Now that's a trick I'd like to see!!

That is not how I spelt it!! (or worded it) Damn you for making me double check

Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 3rd February 14:27

[ali_kat]

There's no way our 2 could cope with a cattery!

We are lucky to have found sitters, at the old house my parents would come over or the Nurse at our old Vets did it as a sideline. Here we have friends & neighbours that will pop in.

[condor]

dojo said:

ok - Maybe I'll look into getting professional pet sitters if I can't get mates/family to do it. How much do you normally pay for petpals or similar??

I'm a pet sitter and have a charge of £5/house visit within a 5 mile radius of where I live. Average time spent at the house is 15 mins - whether it be feeding/mucking out the cat/rabbit/hamsters/guinea pigs etc. Often I'm also asked to pick the post up, water plants/hanging baskets/tubs...put the bins out/take them in on the right day etc.
Try a listing on www.uk.care.com or check the local village notice board for someone who pet sits locally. There are a lot of people that do it

[The Moose]

bexVN said:

The Moose said:

bexVN said:

he miaowed himself into a horse once

Now that's a trick I'd like to see!!

That is not how I spelt it!! (or worded it) Damn you for making me double check

Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 3rd February 14:27