Quick answer: for most cats, a sitter visiting at home is the gentler option, because they keep their own territory, smells & routine. A cattery can be the better choice for some cats & some situations, & a good one is a perfectly reasonable choice. Here is how to decide.
Why many cats cope better at home
Cats are territorial & take comfort from familiar smells, sleeping spots & routines. A journey, a new room, unfamiliar noises & other animals can be unsettling. Signs of stress include hiding, eating less, over-grooming, tummy upsets & changes to litter tray habits. Some cats settle into boarding within a day, & others do not, so your own cat’s past reactions are the best guide.
At home, the main change is who puts the food down. That is why shy, older or anxious cats, & cats who have never been boarded, often do better with a sitter.
What a sitter visit involves
- Food & fresh water, following your cat’s usual routine & diet.
- Litter tray care.
- Play & company, always on your cat’s terms.
- A welfare check: appetite, behaviour, litter habits & general condition.
- Medication, such as tablets or liquid medicine, as agreed beforehand.
- An update with photos or video, so you can see your cat is settled.
- Small home jobs such as bringing in post or adjusting curtains & lights.
Cat sitter or cattery at a glance
| Cat sitter at home | Cattery | |
|---|---|---|
| Surroundings | Their own home, bed & routine | A new, unfamiliar space |
| Other animals | None, unless you have them at home | Other cats nearby, with noise & smells |
| Attention | Visits at set times; the rest of the day alone | Staff on site, though time with each cat varies |
| Medication | Given to your usual schedule | Usually possible, so ask in advance |
| Your home | Looked in on, which helps it look lived-in | Left empty |
| Cost | Charged per visit, so it depends on visits & number of cats | Usually charged per cat per night |
| Travel | None for your cat | Journey each way |
When a cattery may suit your cat better
- Your cat is confident, sociable & used to boarding.
- Your cat needs close supervision, for example when recovering from an illness or operation.
- You cannot give a sitter safe access to your home, or the home cannot be kept at a safe temperature while you are away.
Where a cat sitter is less suitable
A sitter visits once or twice a day, so your cat is on their own for the hours in between. That suits most adult cats, but it may not suit a very young kitten or a cat who needs constant company or monitoring. In those cases, ask us what we would recommend. We would rather tell you honestly than take a booking that is not right for your cat.
How to decide
Think about your cat’s personality, age & health, how many cats you have, how long you will be away, & what they are used to. Many cats settle best in their own home, but the right answer is the one that suits your cat.
Questions to ask whichever you choose
For a sitter: are they insured & DBS checked? Will there be a free meet & greet first? Who will visit, & what happens if they are ill? How often will you hear from them?
For a cattery: is it licensed by the local council? What vaccinations are required? How is it heated & separated from other animals? How often are the cats checked, & which vet do they use?
How often should a sitter visit?
Most adult cats do well with one or two visits a day. Kittens, elderly cats & cats on medication may need more. We will talk this through at the meet & greet.
How we do it
ToeBeans is PN’s cat sitting business, & David helps care for the cats. We start with a free meet & greet at your home, then either PN or David visits, & we tell you who is coming. We are fully insured (including £1,000,000 public liability cover) & both DBS checked. We have looked after cats across Medway since 2022, have over 100 five-star Google reviews, & send photo & video updates. Standard visits cover homes within 3 road miles of our base in Wainscott, with mileage of £1.50 per mile (75p each way) beyond that. Check availability or see our services & pricing. Wondering what a visit involves? Read What Does a Cat Sitter Do? Comparing sitters? See How to Choose a Cat Sitter in Medway.
FAQs
Is cat sitting less stressful than a cattery?
For most cats it is, because there is no journey & nothing in their territory changes. Confident, sociable cats can do well in either.
Is a cat sitter cheaper than a cattery?
It depends on the number of cats & the number of visits. Catteries usually charge per cat per night, while sitting is charged per visit, so households with more than one cat often find sitting works out comparable or better value.
Can a sitter give medication?
Yes, tablets & liquid medicine, as agreed in advance. We will show you what we need at the meet & greet.
Is it safe to give a sitter my keys?
It is a fair question. Choose someone insured & DBS checked, meet them first, & ask how your keys will be stored.
What if something goes wrong while I am away?
If we see anything worrying, such as a change in appetite, hiding, vomiting or limping, we contact you straight away. If it is urgent, we contact your vet using the details you leave, & we agree in advance what you would like us to do.