[goat455]

Hi all,

Newbie here, with a question that many have probably heard over and over again. I've had my cat now for about 1.5 years, got him when he was a kitten. My family and I are planning a week vacation, but can't find any available family members or friends to watch him while we are gone. I've been considering taking him to a kennel, but the idea of him confined to a small cage for a week frightens me. Any one has any opinions about Kennels or private cat care places? I don't want to leave him by himself in the house. Would my cat be depressed when I came back after being couped up in a small cage? Please help with advice. Thanks.

Will[/img]

 

[microlite]

I sure would like to hear from people out there if they know of any cat sitting from people? I know of a Guinea Pig Sitting site! I sure am interested. By the way, where do you live?

 

[imatarb]

I know there are several pet sitting services here where I live (southeastern Michigan), and I'm sure if you check the yellow pages or search online, you might find a few, too.

Lisa

 

[Dusty&Lou]

Yes, I have had great luck with pet sitting services. They will even bring in your mail and water your plants!

 

[goat455]

Thanks for your replies all. I know there are pet sitters out there that come to the house, but I mainly need some feeback as far as leaving my kitty at a Kennel for a week. The only place I've found so far charges $15 a day, I supply the food. My only problem with this is that kitty will be confined to a small cage, something like 4x4 maybe smaller. Will my cat be fine being couped up in a cage for a week?

 

[Annissa]

Will my cat be fine being couped up in a cage for a week?

I think it depends on the cat. My cat would have serious problems being in a cage for a week both physically and emotionally. I've had to leave him at the vet overnight before. When I came to get him the next day his eyes were bloodshot and he was extraordinarily angry. Have you left your cat overnight somewhere else before? If so, how did he react?

 

[goat455]

He's stayed home before by himself for a couple of days, but someone would go and feed him twice a day. When we returned after 3 days he was just fine. Now a cage is something else. If only I could find a place like our local SPCA, I would not hesistate to have him stay there for a week. There, each cat has a huge pen, complete with scratch post and a small bed. Some are bigger than some prison cells. Keep them tips coming please. Thanks.

 

[Socksipuss]

Socks simply HATES new places, she is very territorial and I think most cats are so I think that a change in the environment and leaving her in a cage for a week wouldn’t be a good idea.

When I had to leave for a week I just asked the neighbors to come in and feed, clean and play with her. If you live in an apartment building you can put up a flyer and see if any of your neighbors can cat sit for you.

Good luck

 

[ospunkyo]

My brother runs a kennel and boards many dogs and a few cats. The cat room is closed off from the rest of the place, with medium sized kennels for each kitty, and play structures and toys in the rest of the room, and a window to sit on. They take the cats out - one at a time, I believe - to play with them and stuff. I think dogs love being in a kennel - it's like a vacation for those goofy sociable critters, I'm not so sure that cats like it as much.

It could be very stressful and frightening for a cat to be away from home, in a place that not only SMELLS of other cats, but there ARE other cats.

Many of the vet-technicians at my vet have posted their pet sitting services. I'd go that route before a kennel.

 

[CatAholic]

Oh no not a cage Oh boy I wish I lived by you I would help in a heartbeat! I had this dilemma a couple weeks ago. I just couldn't do the cage, they were adopted from a caged shelter life. We had friends of ours stay in our home to care for them. I wasn't quite sure what to do. if Should I have someone stay in our home or come in twice a day to feed and clean their litterboxes. I made the wrong choice, my cats freaked with our friends and hid for three days til we came back. They did sneak out to eat and use the litterbox (that I am so thankful for) but my very social and personable cats became very confused and scared about their new caregivers. Next time I will know better to leave them in their own environment with all that is familiar and part of their comfort zone and have someone attend to their needs twice a day, NOT stay. They will miss us and we them but at least they won't be freaking out to us gone AND who the heck are these people! 8O "Hey what did you do with the people that live here!" 8O
Let us know how things work out for you, it's soooooo tough to know what to do. Me, I'm always thankful to stay home but I know sometimes you have no choice. Praying it all works out wonderfully
Oh Yah, And a BIG, FAT Welcome to you from your friends here at the Forum!

 

[RarePuss]

Some excellent tips here. Definitely call all the vets and vet hospitals around you to find out if they have techs who house-sit. then post up signs around your building for somebody to come and feed your cat twice a day, but i'd be nervous about a stranger in my house :?

When i worked in one of my past companies, our boss left for vacation and asked the secretary to come in once a day to feed and care for the cat. After a week, he came back thanking her and brought her a lovely present. So.. maybe you can ask around at work?

good luck

 

[Mike]

Hi Will and welcome to the Cat Forum!

I agree with Socksipuss, your kitty will be much more comfortable in your home. Why sentence him to a cage, when he can stay right there in his own home?

I know a few girls that pet-sit and they are all animal lovers and dote on their charges. I question whether or not a kennel would provide as much love.

Hope you find a good solution!

Peace,
Mike

 

[Jeanie]

I always paid, or attempted to pay, a neighborhood teenager to come over and feed and pet my animals, so that they could stay home. Often the grandmother did all the care and wouldn't take a cent! And she said the boys didn't deserve it. I bought her a nice gift.

I know that in this economy many mothers have to work, and my neighborhood doesn't seem to have any young people who want to do small jobs. However, if there's any way you can allow them to stay home, I think it's best. Good luck!

 

[Kittys Mom]

My kitties like to have someone in the house, not just stopping by twice a day. (Or at least I like for them to have someone in the house). Especially since left to his own devices, Thomas would attack Kitty 24/7.

So I asked around and my neighbor, whos a good friend, had a 16 yr. old neice. I paid her $20 per day to stay at my house, and sleep there.

Since my neighbor is her aunt, I didn't worry about any wild parties or anything. That worked out great for me!