Leaving 4 cats to go on holiday

[Preposteroushypothesis]

Hi everyone, wonder if someone can help me!

We are going to visit family abroad for a month at the end of the year. We are pondering what to do with our 4 lovely cats. We could get a neighbour to pop in and feed them and let them in and out in the morning an evening but are worried this is a bit of a big ask for such a long time. We have been looking into a cattery, but at prices of £10/day for 1 cat this is just a ridiculous amount of money for a whole month! Does anyone know if you can get cattery places at a discount for more pets or any cheaper but nice options which will make my cats happy?

I feel so guilty leaving them for so long but we will be taking our new baby to meet its grandparents and will only get an opportunity to go for so long while I am on maternity so don't want to miss out when we can normally only go for 2 weeks once every other year!

Thanks

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

There is a 3rd option of paying a cat sitter to come along and visit them once a day.

[Floralnomad]

Do you not have a friend who would house sit for you whilst you are away ?

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

I pay teenagers to come and feed ours.

[Preposteroushypothesis]

Would a cat sitter who came to the house also change the litter tray? We don't have a cat flap so tend to let them out in the morning and back in in the evening where they stay for the night with a litter tray. Not sure about finding someone to house sit, I just feel a bit bad asking.

We found them stray in the garden in a terrible state last summer (mother and kittens) and took them in so haven't had much experience of this yet

[Floralnomad]

Yes a cat sitter will do the trays .

[Bilbobagginstummy]

See if you can get someone to come and stay at your house for the time. Will have to be cheaper than a cattery and nicer for the cats to have someone "around" not just popping in to feed them.

Alternatively, see if someone will have them at their house for the time - but with 4 cats that might be rather harder.

Good luck!

[DeepRedBetty]

We do whatever is needed for the cat's health and comfort. Don't get me wrong, I love it when client's cats do their business outdoors and I don't have to change the litter tray, but if they're indoor cats it's part of our job.

We would charge £10 a day for twice a day visits, and will include turning lights on/off, tidying up post, and watering indoor plants etc.

[DeepRedBetty]

House-sitting is currently £38 a day from my agency, £51 during school holidays, only really worth it if you've got a shed-load of pets etc. And we're not insured for horses.

Getting a friend to come and stay is the method of choice for a lot of my daily walkies clients.