Choosing between a cattery and a cat sitter depends on your cat’s personality, needs, and the quality of both options. However, there are a few reasons why some cat owners might find a cattery to be a better choice than a cat sitter:

1. Professional Supervision and Care

• Trained Staff: Catteries often have trained staff who are experienced in handling a variety of cat behaviors, medical conditions, and emergencies. This can provide peace of mind, especially if your cat has specific needs or health issues.
• Consistent Monitoring: At a cattery, cats are typically monitored throughout the day, ensuring that they are safe, eating properly, and not showing signs of illness or distress. In contrast, a cat sitter usually visits once or twice a day, so there could be long periods when your cat is unsupervised.

2. Controlled Environment

• Secure and Safe: A cattery is designed specifically for the safety of cats, minimizing the risk of accidents or your cat escaping. This can be a significant benefit, especially if your cat is prone to curiosity or mischief. With a cat sitter, the environment (your home) might not be as secure, especially if your cat is an escape artist or tends to get into trouble. Cats escaping as sitters or neighbours come through the door is a big problem along with opening of windows.
• Specialized Cat Facilities: Catteries provide facilities designed for cats, like climbing structures, scratching posts, and quiet spaces. These cater to your cat’s natural instincts and can offer a stimulating and safe environment. Some high-end catteries may even offer private rooms, semi outdoor enclosures, or special play areas.

3. 24/7 Availability

• Round-the-Clock Care: Catteries offer 24/7 availability, which can be crucial if your cat needs sudden care or develops a medical issue. If something happens while you’re away, the staff is there to respond immediately. A cat sitter, on the other hand, might only be present for short visits and may not catch issues until the next visit. Plus if cats sitters have other cats (or even another job) that they need to get to then they may not have the time to adequately care for your cat and spend time at the vets with them
• Emergency Response: If your cat requires urgent veterinary care, cattery staff are usually equipped to handle this and may have a relationship with local veterinarians. A cat sitter may not notice an issue until hours later, potentially delaying care.

4. Social Interaction (if suitable)

• Socialization Opportunities: Catteries have staff onsite from early in the morning until late in the afternoon / early evening who are in with the cats giving them fuss, love and care. Here at the pets country manor luxury cat hotel we play with them, cuddle and stroke them, brush / groom cats who enjoy this, and with the shyer cats they benefit from us sitting in their room with them talking to them, This can help prevent loneliness, particularly during longer stays. A cat sitter on the other hand, can’t offer this longer period of interaction throughout the day

5. Routine and Structure

• Set Feeding and Care Schedules: Catteries have structured routines for feeding, cleaning, and play, which can be reassuring for cats that thrive on consistency. While a cat sitter may try to stick to your cat’s schedule, it’s not as guaranteed, especially if they’re managing multiple clients.
• No Missed Visits: With a cattery, you don’t have to worry about a cat sitter missing a visit due to personal issues, delays, or miscommunication. Your cat receives consistent, professional care. With using a cattery theres no need to worry about your sitter being ill, having a lie in, stuck in traffic etc

6. More Interaction During Longer Trips

• Attention and Play: At a cattery, your cat is likely to receive more attention and stimulation compared to a sitter’s short visits. Even if your cat enjoys solitude, regular interaction with trained staff can help them feel less isolated. A sitter’s visit is often brief, focusing primarily on feeding, cleaning, and basic interaction.

7. Safety in Case of Home-Related Issues

• No Home Risks: By sending your cat to a cattery, you avoid risks that can occur in your home, such as an unexpected power outage, flooding, or heating/cooling problems while you’re away and even break ins. A cat left home alone with only periodic check-ins could be exposed to these issues for hours or even days before they are addressed.
• No Access to Harmful Items: While your home may be safe, there is always a chance that your cat could get into something dangerous (e.g., plants, cords, chemicals) during the unsupervised periods. In a cattery, the environment is designed to be cat-proof, minimizing such risks.

8. Ideal for High-Maintenance Cats

• Cats with Special Needs: If your cat requires medication, special diets, or close monitoring, a cattery with professional staff is likely a better option than a sitter. The staff is usually trained to administer medications properly and ensure your cat’s specific needs are met. Cat sitters may not always have this level of expertise or the availability to manage complex care.

9. Accountability and Consistency

• Clear Accountability: At a cattery, there’s a clear chain of accountability. If something goes wrong, you know who to contact, and there are established procedures for handling issues. With a cat sitter, you’re relying on one person, which can be less reliable if they become ill or have an emergency themselves.

10. Prevention of Boredom and Loneliness

• More Stimulation: Some cats become bored or lonely when left alone at home for extended periods. In a cattery, there is usually more stimulation and activity, which can help prevent the stress or anxiety that might arise from being left home with only brief visits from a sitter.

Conclusion

A cattery is often the better choice for cats that need close monitoring, medical care, or social interaction, and for owners who want the reassurance of 24/7 professional care. A well-run cattery provides a safe, structured environment that ensures your cat’s well-being during your absence.