Cattery or Cat Sitter?
Did you know cats are extremely territorial?
And so a great deal of care should be taken when choosing a cattery. You may just think any where with a small out side area and a warm inside enclosure is fine but let’s look at it from your felines point of view. If you own a house cat he/she will be used to his own and your families individual scent, his own bed and favourite perches and a certain amount of security away from other ‘strange’ cats. If your cat ventures outside he/she will have their own territory, may even have friends and foes to keep him/her occupied. And lets not forget the travel aspect. Unless you live very a close to a cattery you may have to go through the ordeal of transporting your cat to and from the cattery, something most cats absolutely hate.
To find out more about cat welfare check out this information outlined by the Cats Protection.
Would a cat sitter or a cattery suit your cat best?
Unfortunately due to the way most catteries are designed your cat will not be able to escape the presence of other felines and everything that goes with them. If you own a cat you may know their special little eccentricities and the stress that can sometimes follow if they are not seen through.
Cat’s when stressed can sometimes become destructive very much like dogs they can raid food areas, they may take up inappropriate elimination behaviours for example they may pee on soft furnishings, and they can become ‘stress aggressive’. All these behaviours and more can be caused by the stress of finding themselves in an unknown setting.
Although often set in quiet areas with little to no footfall your cat will need to become acquainted with the scent of many other cats, a new type of litter, sometimes a different brand of food. Some cats have absolutely no issue with the above and so long as they get adequate physical attention may show no signs of stress in a cattery setting.
Cat sitting
If you do own a cat who struggles with a changing routine and environment you may wish to consider a cat sitter. A cat sitter comes into your cats own safe space and cares for them as you would under your own roof, your cat can either come and go if you so wish or you may be able to ask your cat sitter to keep them safely inside. You generally provide their normal food and litter and you can ask your sitter to play with the toys you already own. However this situation may not suit your cat if he/she requires a lot of continued attention as generally visits are short and more often than care at a cattery.
Either option has their own pros and cons and only you know your cat and his/her needs if you are still confused why not discuss with your veterinary practice what would suit your own feline friend.
If you wish to book the Poppy and Pals Cat Sitting Experience call 07982 406682 or use the enquiry box to email us NOW.
