will my cat be traumatised by a two-week stint in a cattery?

Question

i am going on holiday soon? will kitty think he has been abandoned if i send him to a cat's home? do they look after him properly? i mean, do they talk to him + give him attention or is it cruel + clinical?

Answer 1

I put my cat in a cattery for two weeks. Make sure they have homey stuff with them. I brought her bed and toys and even her own litter (silica pearls). I made sure the cattery was a clean and secure place that had cat doors to outside areas for sunning.
The staff were great with her. I even noticed when I came back that they had attached a note to her door saying that she liked to play in her water and to make sure she had water and her bedding didn't get wet. They obviously cared for her very well. When we got her home It was like nothing happened.
Hope you find a place that cares the same as Arrowsmith Pet Lodge did for Boo.

Answer 2

Traumatized? He'll probably be a little freaked out once you get back and he's back home. Cats do not like change. I mean, I can't even rearrange my furniture without the cat sneaking up on something that wasn't there a minute ago, lol.

Did you check out the cattery? You should or should have done that. You can see first hand how the animals are treated there. Ask to go and spend some time there.

Be sure that they have a policy on making sure all of the animals they watch are up to date on their vaccinations and such too. They should ask you to bring a current vaccination certificate with you when you leave him...that will be a good indication on the kind of cattery it is. I'd check that out ahead of time though.

Bring something of his (a blanket, toy, whatever) with him when you leave him there. That familiar smell might help.

Answer 3

I don't know how they treat cats at the particular cattery that you are using. Like all things(inc.homes for the aged), they vary.
Years ago, my husband and I boarded our cat at the vet's facility while I attended my HS reunion out of state. Poor Bibber was so unhappy, he refused to eat. Within a week, our 16 lb cat became a 10 lb cat. The vet called and asked my husband to come and get him. He had to cancel his separate vacation and stay home with the cat. It's impossible to tell in advance, and most cats won't react that badly. But it would be a good idea if you had someone the cattery could contact in case of an emergency and who would be willing to take the cat in if it were necessary. It would, of course, need to be someone with whom the cat was already familiar.

Answer 4

I always prefer a professional cat sitter come to my home to care for my cats. When you say "cattery" you don't give much of a description of the conditions there. Vets also board cats and my experiences when I worked in vet offices was that the cats were caged with litterbox and food and that was it. Though I wanted to visit with them I was not paid to do that and other duties prevented me from having the time.

It is infinitely less disruptive to the cat's psyche to stay in familiar surroundings. You will pay $15-20 to board in a cattery or vet office and at that price you can find someone to come to your home for an 45 mins or an hour and take some time to play with your cat or give it a brushing or a good pet aside from meeting its needs for food, emptying litterboxes and providing clean water.

Vet offices frequently have cards of professional pet sitters and may even recommend one. Sometimes personnel at the office like to earn extra $$ by doing this job.

Answer 5

well a good mixture of clinical and attention would be the best home. why don't you go to the home unexpected and check. surprise them at any time of the day. and yes your cat might be pissed off in there cats are very sensitive to changes. she might ignore you for a day or two in order to show you that she didn't like you leaving her there. the other thing you could do, is ask a close friend or relative, the cat is familiar with, to stay at your place. i looked after my sisters cat in her flat and the cat was not traumatised or pissed of. but when my sister had to give her in a home for a weekend trip, when she could not find anyone, the cat showed her for 3 days how she felt pissed of.

Answer 6

My cat and dog both enjoy the kennels/cattery we use. We always use the same one and they know us well, and treat the animals very well indeed. The cat always comes home fatter, a sure sign that he is happy, cos he wont eat if he isnt and we have to spend the next 3 months trying to get him to lose wieght. The woman that runs it always makes time to spend time with the animals and give them some attention. We always take some of their favorite treats with them to be given and they will give them meds if needed.

I think you have to research them well as there are some bad ones about (been there, done that, unhappy cat) but all the research is well worth it, when you find one that both you and your pets like.

Good luck finding one you like, I am in NW UK if you need one recomending.

Answer 7

i have worked in a cattery and would never leave my cats there, they all might not be the same tho, the cats were fed twice a day and let out of their wire pen 4 a few minutes while it was cleaned up, then shut back in til the next mornin, they dont see daylight,cant get on any grass etc,check ur local ones out,just turn up and say u want to look round, i leave my neighbour/friend who the cats know to see to to mine,its better they are in their own place, could u do that instead?

Answer 8

Well he would be scared because he'll think that your giving him away. But your not, even thought he doesn't know that. As long as you don't leave him there like I'm pretty sure other people do you'll be fine. Just keep thinking about that, like your coming back for him. Its not cruel, you just need a vaction, we can't always take our pets. They take very good care of animals at a cattery so do not be scared. Its like hes on a vaction also.

Answer 9

All I can suggest is that you are allowed to take as many personal things your cat is used to, to the centre. Try to ensure it will be given it's normal favourite food, and give plenty love and strokes when you hand it over for it's holiday. If possible, try and spend time, at least a few minuets, with yourself, the cat, and person who will be in the care of your cat. This will help your cat to know that the new person for a few weeks knows you, and you will soon be back. When I have taken my cat to the vet, the meows can be really pitiful. If on my own, I place the cat box on the front seat next to me, and when safe, push my finger in and tickle his head, and talk to him. If you can get someone to drive you, then nurse the box on your knee, and talk to your cat and touch him as much as possible. I very much doubt your cat will forget you, you sound like a very caring owner. I'm sure all will be well, and on your return, give plenty love and cuddles. Hope this will help you,

Answer 10

Our cat went into a cattery several times in his life, including once over Christmas for about 2 weeks.

He was fine!