Should my cats go in a cattery or should they stay at home?

[sue11]

Hi everyone, I just thought I would update you on my decision leading on from my question posted a few weeks ago. In the end I decided to put my cats in a cattery as knowing that they would be safe for the time in there overrode any other anxieties over my cats feelings.
I picked them up a few days ago from the cattery when I returned home. On getting back, Bandit was a bit clingy the first day and kept me or Martin within her sight just in case we dissappeared again. Ozzie went outside and joyously rolled about on the patio as though to say great to be back home and then settled down in her cat bed in the lounge for a kip. The next day Bandit was back to her usual demanding self and showing me lots of affection until she got what she wanted from me i.e. a bit of tuna or a couple of prawns, she obviously missed the luxury food while she was away! I am glad to say that they did not appear to have any lasting ill effects from their time in the cattery.
Cheers Sue

[tiggerblue10]

I don't think I saw your previous post Sue, but you obviously made the right choice for you and your cats.

I usually leave my cats at home when I go away and luckily my parents, who live 5 minutes drive away, come round and feed them every day. When I come back from holiday they are fine. I'm not too keen on taking them out of their environment but each cat is different. My cats are extremely shy and won't go near any strangers so I would worry if I took them somewhere else.

[sue11]

Hi Tiggerblue, if we go away just for a few days, I am quite happy to leave my cats at home and one of the parents will come round to feed them. Both the cats prefer it of course. This time as we were away for 10 days I was worried that it was too long to leave them on their own and decided to put them away. I hated doing that and worried that they would be very stressed out and get ill while they were in the cattery. But it seemed that they were fine, in fact the cattery owner informed me that she was not going to give me back Bandit as she had fallen in love with her!
Cheers Sue

[lankeela]

If you think about it, catteries would have gone out of business years ago if cats really did suffer any ill effects while there. Okay, maybe the odd one might take umbrage at being put in there, but for the majority, it is like a luxury hotel, with food on tap and people who really do like cats to cater for their every whim. People who do not like cats are not likely to be running a cattery!

[sue11]

Very true Lankeela, I think that most catteries have to be reputable or risk closure, but like most slaves oops owners, I can't help but worry!!
Cheers Sue