Going on holiday

[Rosella moggy]

I wouldn't go on holiday if I had a kitten that young.  It would be pointless as I would constantly worry that the kitten wasn't been given the attention it needs.  If forced to choose, I would either get someone to come and stay at my house or move the kitten in with a trusted friend but ...... I just wouldn't go    What could be more enjoyable than spending a week with my kitten? 

ETA I've just looked at Cattery website and just couldn't do it.  Nothing against the cattery itself which looks excellent but looking at the website reinforces my view that 3 months is just far too young.  Sorry    Have you spoken with the cattery owners?  Do they think it would be OK?  How much time would they be able to spend with Lucy each day?

[LesleyW]

In my experience, kittens are vaccinated at 9 and 12 weeks, so if she is only 11 weeks, has she completed the full course anyway?

I would not put her in a cattery at that age, she needs constant attention and motivation.  Can she not go back to where you got her, so at least she is in familiar surroundings, with people that she knows.

I always ask people if they are going on holiday who want to re-home one of my babies, I always say I will not re-home them until they have returned, but will reserve them for that time.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I think it would be fine provided she's had all her vaccinations.  Any decent cattery will insist on being fully vaccinated (flu and enteritis) and there usually has to be a time period to have elapsed between final injection and when you board her.  I actually think it might be good for her socialisation and she'd probably get more attention at a cattery than she would at home with someone looking after her, unless you have someone who can move in to be with her full time.

You don't say when you are going but it sounds like quite soon?   It's school holidays now and I would be very suspicious of a cattery that isn't fully booked for the duration, tbh.

[Gillian Harvey]

That cattery asks for up to date flu and enteritis vacs certificates - it sounds nice there, not too big, so plenty of time for TLC for each cat  . Catteries don't ask for up to date Felv vacs because Felv isnt airborne and can only be transferred with close contact which isnt gonna happen in a well run cattery.

However I agree, I probably woudnt board a kitten that young that you've only had a few weeks - I'd probably go for a professional cat sitter - or friend/family like Julie mentioned.

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

Yes tab but not everyone gets the FeLV part and I don't know of any catteries that insist on it. A cat up to date with FIP boosters is still classed as full vac. It's still quite possible a cat like that can be incubating a nasty. This is a young kitten here but past the stage where it carries immunity from it's mum. So it's on its own and may not have developed a strong natural immunity yet. Flu would be my biggest concern... a vaccine can only protect against the current most common strains and in a cattery where cats from lots of different backgrounds all come together, they potential for kitten to come across a strain it's not protected against is much, much greater. IMHO it's not a risk worth taking with a kitten of 3 months.

[tab]

If your cat is fully vac'd then it shouldnt be a problem. Most catteries will not accept without a certificate so other cats shouldnt be a problem. I know the one I help at will turn people away if they are not fully vac'd
love
Tab

[Janeyk]

Personally I agree with Julie, having said that I never leave mine anyway  but may have been best to have waited to adopt little one after your hols 

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

It wouldn't be something that I would do, irrespective of the fact it will put back your bonding process to step one. Kittens that young are still developing immunity and you cannot guarantee she won't come into contact with strange bugs. You also cannot guarentee other residents have been fully vaccinated unless you ask to see their private records. 

I'd be inclined to either not go or find a very reliable and responsible friend to look after her in a home environment. 

[MrTopCat]

Hi guys

I need your help on something.

Is it OK for me to leave my 11 week old kitten in a cattery for a week while I go on holiday? I've only had her for a couple of weeks and don't want her to forget me/ become depressed because I'm not around.

I've found this little family-run place near where I live in Ripley http://www.oldfarmcattery.co.uk/, it looks like a nice and safe environment but will it be too distressing for her?