Catteries: Do They Provide Appropriate Accommodation for Cats?
There are a number of reasons why you may have to leave your cat behind for a while, albeit with a heavy heart. You may be planning a holiday or a business trip or you might have to stay in hospital.
In this case, a cat boarding facility can accommodate your four-legged friend, where it will be looked after professionally. Find out below whether this is actually a good solution or whether you should look for an alternative way of providing for your cat.
The main points about catteries at a glance
- In a cat boarding house cats are cared for when their owners are temporarily unable to look after their four-legged friends.
- In such a facility the cat is professionally cared for and supervised.
- Staying in a cat boarding facility is associated with stress for the animal that should not be underestimated.
- Before booking, cat owners should research the prices and the admission conditions of the respective provider.
- Being looked after by a third person within your own four walls is much more pleasant for cats.
What is a cattery?
A cattery is one way of providing for cats whose owners are unable to take care of the animals for a limited period of time.
In such a facility the four-legged friends are fed and cared for. The cats are accommodated either in single rooms or in group rooms, whereby the needs of the cat in question are usually taken into account.
Depending on the provider, there might also some protected outdoor areas for the cats to use.
Advantages of catteries
Accommodation in a cat boarding facility has the particular advantage that the animals are not left unattended for long periods of time. Some of the care is even provided by trained animal keepers. If that isn't the case, at least the caretakers are people who have a good knowledge of cats and know what to look out for when providing for them.
Disadvantages of catteries
At first it may sound like a good idea to put your cat in a nearby cattery if necessary and to know that your four-legged friend is in good hands there.
However, before you decide on this type of care, you should also be aware of the disadvantages. Keep in mind that cats are extremely sensitive and generally don't like major changes in their environment.
It doesn't matter how lovingly the cattery of your choice may be furnished and how well your four-legged friend will be looked after there. The unexpected change of scenery is associated with considerable stress for your cat. In addition, it can sometimes be the case that the furry guests cannot always easily hide away when they want to.
Especially if your cat is normally kept on its own, you have to reckon with the fact that it might not be very enthusiastic about the forced company of strangers of the same species. But there are also four-legged friends who get along well with other cats and are happy to have playmates. You probably know best what your cat is like in this regard.
What to consider when choosing a cattery
If, despite the disadvantages mentioned, you come to the conclusion that a cattery is the right choice for your four-legged friend during your absence, you should arrange everything as soon as possible.
The choice of providers is limited and they are often fully booked several weeks or even months in advance. Please also note that all the important vaccinations for your cat must still be valid at the time of the stay in the cattery.
Apart from that, the four-legged friend should of course not suffer from a contagious cat disease or be infested with cat parasites. Therefore, proof of recent deworming of the cat and existing protection against cat fleas must usually also be provided.
Irrespective of this, we recommend that you have a look the cattery in advance, if possible, and take the opportunity to meet the caretakers in person. After all, you want to be sure that your cat will not lack for anything during your absence and that the animal's stay will be as pleasant as possible.
How much does a cattery charge?
The prices for a stay in a cat boarding house can vary considerably. In some places, the costs start at seven to eight pounds per day, but others have a daily rate of around 20 pounds. In this context, in addition to the type of accommodation, the area you live in also plays a role. Therefore, find out in advance what price the cat kennel of your choice is asking for, so that you know what to expect.
Alternatives to cat boarding
Of course, staying in a boarding kennel isn't the only way to ensure your cat is cared for while you're away. Alternatively, you can ask family members, friends or neighbours, for example, if they could check on the four-legged friend regularly and provide basic care such as feeding and cleaning the litter box.
If this option is not available, you can instead book a cat sitter who will take care of your cat for a fee. Just like being cared for by family or friends, this has the great advantage that your four-legged friend can stay in its familiar surroundings and is spared the stress associated with a temporary move.
Our conclusion on the topic of cat boarding
As you can see, under certain circumstances a cat boarding facility is a sensible option to ensure that your four-legged friend is looked after in the event of the owner's absence. However, most cats are not too enthusiastic when they suddenly find themselves in an unfamiliar environment with human and feline strangers.
The care in your own four walls by friends or a paid cat sitter is therefore without a doubt the less stressful solution compared to staying in a cat boarding house.
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