What should I do with my cat?
Discussion
Shoot it, cook it, nuke it, HTH etc. There, that's the exceedingly hilarious responses covered.
I'm in a bit of a quandary. We've got to go away for 6 days at the beginning of next month. We have a 9 month old cat - Lily. Whilst she's quite intelligent, and surprises me on a daily basis, she hasn't yet got the hang of feeding herself or cleaning out her own litter tray, so I've got three options to make sure she's cared for whilst we're away:
1) My mum comes to feed her/clean her out
2) I give a key to the neighbours and they look after her
3) We put her in a cattery
Option 1 is my preferred option. Lily knows my mum, and my mum only lives 6 doors up from us. However, she's also been working 14 hour days recently, is stressed to the hilt and the responsibility of looking after a cat may be a bit too much at the moment. Personally, I think she enjoys making things difficult but that's by the by. I think if I pushed her, she'd give in. But she wouldn't be able to spend the time playing with her, which she needs if I want any sofas left on my return.
Option 2 is not really that enticing. I chat to my neighbours and have a joke with them, and they're good people. But I don't trust them to be left with access to my house, plus Lily would freak out if a stranger was wandering round.
Onto option 3. There's a nice cattery just up the road which charges £11.25 a day. I think that's reasonable. For my hard earned, she'll get central heated accommodation, three square meals, a bed, scratch post etc. and her own little run outside where she can play. Now, she goes outside but so far only in the back garden. The only cat contact she's had is through the windows, plus a stand off the other weekend with next doors oldest cat, which ended in their cat running off, pussy. HA! See what I did there? The little pens (or chalets, as the cattery likes to elegantly call them) are personal, but they're only seperated by chicken wire. On the one hand, I think that a bit of contact with other cats will build her confidence. But on the other hand, 6 days in a cattery without us might distress her, so I'm a bit apprehensive.
Therefore, I'm throwing the Pistonheads floor open for advice, suggestions, or a general piss taking.
I'm in a bit of a quandary. We've got to go away for 6 days at the beginning of next month. We have a 9 month old cat - Lily. Whilst she's quite intelligent, and surprises me on a daily basis, she hasn't yet got the hang of feeding herself or cleaning out her own litter tray, so I've got three options to make sure she's cared for whilst we're away:
1) My mum comes to feed her/clean her out
2) I give a key to the neighbours and they look after her
3) We put her in a cattery
Option 1 is my preferred option. Lily knows my mum, and my mum only lives 6 doors up from us. However, she's also been working 14 hour days recently, is stressed to the hilt and the responsibility of looking after a cat may be a bit too much at the moment. Personally, I think she enjoys making things difficult but that's by the by. I think if I pushed her, she'd give in. But she wouldn't be able to spend the time playing with her, which she needs if I want any sofas left on my return.
Option 2 is not really that enticing. I chat to my neighbours and have a joke with them, and they're good people. But I don't trust them to be left with access to my house, plus Lily would freak out if a stranger was wandering round.
Onto option 3. There's a nice cattery just up the road which charges £11.25 a day. I think that's reasonable. For my hard earned, she'll get central heated accommodation, three square meals, a bed, scratch post etc. and her own little run outside where she can play. Now, she goes outside but so far only in the back garden. The only cat contact she's had is through the windows, plus a stand off the other weekend with next doors oldest cat, which ended in their cat running off, pussy. HA! See what I did there? The little pens (or chalets, as the cattery likes to elegantly call them) are personal, but they're only seperated by chicken wire. On the one hand, I think that a bit of contact with other cats will build her confidence. But on the other hand, 6 days in a cattery without us might distress her, so I'm a bit apprehensive.
Therefore, I'm throwing the Pistonheads floor open for advice, suggestions, or a general piss taking.
A - It's hardly stressing nipping in and checking the cat is okay, and it would take 5 mins for your mum to fed the cat and clean the tray.
I have used this option several times, and my cat (just turned one) has always got on fine. Just make sure she gets some treats and maybe a new toy or two to keep her occupied.
I have used this option several times, and my cat (just turned one) has always got on fine. Just make sure she gets some treats and maybe a new toy or two to keep her occupied.
Romanymagic said:
Take Lily on holiday with you, the fresh air and change of scenery will do her good
Whilst I'm sure my girlfriend would like nothing more than walking her round on a lead, it's not really an environment that I think Lily would enjoy. Plus I'll be busy while we're away, and it's not predictable what I'll be doing so it wouldn't really be fair.Penny-lope said:
A - It's hardly stressing nipping in and checking the cat is okay, and it would take 5 mins for your mum to fed the cat and clean the tray.
I have used this option several times, and my cat (just turned one) has always got on fine. Just make sure she gets some treats and maybe a new toy or two to keep her occupied.
This is my preferred choice. But my mum says she hasn't got the time to do it. I think she's being deliberately awkward, but I have seen her recently and she's shattered. She'll get home from the office, carry on working, then crash out on the sofa before taking forcing herself to go to bed. She is busy, and Lily needs someone to play with her and give her a bit of attention rather than just feeding her and sodding off.I have used this option several times, and my cat (just turned one) has always got on fine. Just make sure she gets some treats and maybe a new toy or two to keep her occupied.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Penny-lope said:
Well if I was you I would avoid the cattery option. We used one for two weeks with our last two cats, both of which came back with fleas, underweight and in need of some TLC 
Pick a better cattery.OP - sounds like a cattery is your best option, given the info you've provided us with.
Agreeing 100% with Penny-lope on this, catteries are vile by definition, your cat will be much happier at home and if our two cats are any guide as long as someone comes and services its food requirements they won't give a stuff. I'm sure your mum won't mind adding five minutes to her day. Cover your furniture with old blankets and job's a good 'un.
hornetrider said:
Penny-lope said:
Well if I was you I would avoid the cattery option. We used one for two weeks with our last two cats, both of which came back with fleas, underweight and in need of some TLC
Pick a better cattery.OP - sounds like a cattery is your best option, given the info you've provided us with.
This is the cattery we've been looking at. It's about a mile away from us:
http://www.happycatboardingcattery.co.uk/
We'd obviously go and look at it before making a decision, but it seems quite nice.
http://www.happycatboardingcattery.co.uk/
We'd obviously go and look at it before making a decision, but it seems quite nice.
Penny-lope said:
Well if I was you I would avoid the cattery option. We used one for two weeks with our last two cats, both of which came back with fleas, underweight and in need of some TLC
Lots of cats get totally stressed out being in a cattery or with any change of scene, so them coming back underweight and in need of TLC is not too suprising. Fleas aren't really excusable though, a spot of frontline should see to that.Penny-lope said:
Instead of your mum, do you not have a few mates who can help you out? I have cat sat for my best mates several times (one of their cats needs a daily injection)
A lot of them will be away with us, and the rest are scattered here, there and everywhere. My mum was the first thought as she lives just up the road. Good suggestion though, I'll ask around.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff