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To cattery or not to cattery?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 2:49p.m.

I hope everyone has had a fun Christmas and New Year and you are all feeling refreshed after your holidays. I know I am feeling ready for 2010 and it is full steam ahead here at Happy Pawes.

We are just launching another service called Purrfect Cat Minding. Many cat owners that I have chatted to would rather their cat stay at home than board in a cattery.

There are some fantastic catteries in New Zealand but for many cats the cattery environment can be just too stressful for them so why not keep your cat happy when you are not there?

Cats are very sensitive to changes in the environment and also many of them do not generally enjoy the travel to and from the cattery. The car journey can be stressful and many cats begin to vocalize and toilet while in the car traveling.

We all know the regular household story that as soon as you bring the cat box out of the cupboard, low and behold your cat becomes Houdini and can physically vanish into thin air.

There is nothing worse than having the stress of either trying to find your cat or wait for them to finally arrive home, knowing that you have to get them to the cattery and dash to the airport as you are running late.

It is possible to train your cat to accept their cat box and not vanish every time they see it. With a good individual training plan cats are able to be trained just as easily as dogs.

Have a think the next time you are booking your holiday. Is your cat really suited to being in a cattery? If they have a great time and are relaxed while they are there, then of course the answer is yes. If they become stressed, show aggression towards other cats or hide away then the answer is no, look at another alternative and know that your cat is having a great holiday at home.
 
I've worked with animals since I was 13 when I first volunteered at the local rescue centre.

As a head veterinary nurse I've developed a passion for pet training - educating people and their pets with simple positive techniques and showing how to train pets to be an important part of the family.

Recently I set up my own business called Happy Pawes – Positive Pet Training, and I offer training for both cats and dogs.

Check out my blog for hot topics about pet training, and an insight into my day-to-day experiences. I look forward to sharing them with you!

Kelly O’Neill
                                                           Happy Pawes Pet Training 

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Comments [2]

Melwyn Le Comte
14 Jan 2010 06:29a.m.

My cat doesn't like travelling in the car when I take him to the cattery, but to reduce his stress I get the cat box out the day before. I then hide it in a bedroom with the lid already open. The next day, he gets breakfast, then I put him in the cat box with no stress - he has already seen it and "freaked out" the day before and I make sure he doesn't see the box on the day he has to go in it. I also take a blanket from home that has his scent on it so there is something with the smell of home with him in the cattery. It's not a perfect system but it helps and the people at the cattery spoil him rotten.

Ashleigh Groufsky
11 Jan 2010 09:50p.m.

Recently my 5 year old male cat had a stint of 12 weeks in a cattery while I was between properties! Having never been in a cat motel before, I was worried he would fret. How wrong I was! Fortunately I was able to visit him each week and he loved the attention from the staff at the cattery! Thanks Snuggle Inn, Kaiapoi for taking such great care of my baby!
One easy way of getting kitty into the carrier cage is to keep it out all the time and encourage the fellow into it with food or toys! My boy regularly sleeps in his cage, so when it comes time to go to the vet he doesn't stress out at all.
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