Trip to the Cattery?

[brucka]

Hi,

We've got two indoor cats (bengals) who successfully completed the Litter Kwitter training process last year. It took a total of around three months for both cats, one of whom was a fast learner and the other a little more obstinate. That was about twelve months ago and we have enjoyed a litter free apartment ever since.

Here's where there may be a problem. We are planning a holiday at the end of the year which will take us away for around three weeks. In the past we have had a person come in to feed the cats, but getting them to do this for three weeks is asking a lot. We have looked at paying a cat sitter (which we have also done before), but this is getting expensive. For roughly half the cost of the cat sitter, we can put the cats in a cattery, but if we do this, we are concerned as to how this might affect their toilet training.

At the cattery, we are assuming they would have litter trays and probably be in outside runs. As indoor ctas, we suspect this is already going to freak them out and then going back to the litter tray may compound the situation. We are wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this? If the cats go to the cattery, can we expect them to go straight back to using the toilet on their return? They are pretty clever, but can be easily spooked (and are maybe a bit fussy). Obviously we can expect a bit of a step backwards, but we don't really want to end up back at square one. If that is the experience that others have had, then we will probably just bite the bullet and pay the cat sitter.

One other thing, if anyone can recommend a trustworthy cattery in Sydney (Australia) then we would be very grateful.

If anyone has any advice, we would love to hear it.

Thanks.

[nettie]

Originally Posted by brucka

Hi,

Here's where there may be a problem. We are planning a holiday at the end of the year which will take us away for around three weeks. In the past we have had a person come in to feed the cats, but getting them to do this for three weeks is asking a lot. We have looked at paying a cat sitter (which we have also done before), but this is getting expensive. For roughly half the cost of the cat sitter, we can put the cats in a cattery, but if we do this, we are concerned as to how this might affect their toilet training.

Mine are indoor cats (Burmese Boys) and my Neighbour feeds them twice a day whilst I'm away. Quite used to it for at least a week or more as they keep each other company. They're not LK trained yet.

If you can't get a neighbour to go in cheap, how about asking the cattery to put the litter quitter seat over a tall dustin or similar or even over a plain litter tray with minimal or no litter? Then it won't be completely back to basics?

[KatnGiz]

We've never been away from home for three weeks, longest is usually about a week. When we go away Giz comes with us but we put her on a tray cause she likes the tray and I guess it's a comprimise for travelling with us. Anyway when we get back it usually takes her about a day of holding in till she gives up and uses the LK at the current stage.

Perhaps you may need to go back to amber/green for a little while when you are home again to ease them back into the LK?