Decisions, decisions...

[Cataholic]

My mom has graciously agreed to watch our 9 cats when we go on vacation for 10 days this summer. She lives about 15 minutes from us, and has 6 cats of her own to care for. Jasper is going to a kennel, next to his cousin, Benjamin the wild chocolate lab.

I wonder if it would be 'better' for me to transport all 9 cats to Mom's house, where it will be MUCH easier for her to care for them, but maybe a little traumatic for them, OR, keep them at my house, where the converse is true.

I thought about splitting them up, half here, half at her house. She could get away with every other day visits. But, she might not do that, and instead do every day visits. Which would make the split worthless.

What do you guys think? I am leaning towards the transporting to her house idea. I don't have any cats that would unravel over the move....with perhaps the exception of Minnie. But, I could put Minnie in her spare room, with a couple of other "nice" cats, and the rest would live on her enclosed porch.

[krazyaboutkatz]

If it was me, I would just leave them at your home.When I've had to move my cats to my parents house just for a few days they were very upset and unhappy. I hope that in either case that everything will work out well. Good luck.

[Karen]

I'd ask her her honest preference. It might be a nice break for her to "visit" with the grandkitties each day at your place, or she might prefer everyone at her house, everyone is different!

[moosmom]

As a petsitter, it's better for the animals to be in their own environment. Less stressful.

[sasvermont]

I would leave them at their home, and encourage Mom to visit every other day. Cats are fairly independent and can live many days with dry food and water left out. Every other day would mean just five visits for her. Then when you return, the kitties will not be suffering from readjustment issues etc.

Good luck and have a nice holiday!

[pomtzu]

I am in agreement - leave the kitties in their own familiar surroundings - much less chance of any of them getting stressed out.

BTW - where are we going on vacation??? - I want to make sure that I pack appropriately!

[prechrswife]

I would vote for leaving them at your place. We've just found that our cats handle things better that way.

[Randi]

I'd also say leave them at home in their own environment - but, if they get along with your mom's kitties, it would be easier for her. Then, if your mom has a car...

In my opinion, they do need some loving every day. Of course, they won't be so bored since they have each other.

Have you tried taking some of them over to your mom's place and see how they react?

Good luck, and have a great holiday! Where are you going?

[Freedom]

Leave the cats in their own home. Cats do NOT relocate easily, as dogs do.

[Laura's Babies]

I also vote for leaving them at home. Mine were SO glad when I started leaving them at home when I'd go to work on the boat. They were far more relaxed when I got home and no adjustment time back was needed.. It is so much easier on them.

[kitten645]

Leave them home. Far less stressful for the cats. The people understand. The cats don't.

[Taz_Zoee]

If you have the option of leaving them home, I'd do that. When we go on vacation I do not have that option and I have to take them to my moms (over an hour from us). Well, I haven't done that with Jax yet. He came on vacation with us last year because he was still so small.

I'm not sure what I will do this year. My sister might be moving back in with my parents and she'd have her two dogs upstairs, which is where the cats would go.

Have a wonderful trip!!

[Medusa]

You know your cats better than anyone. If you say that they won't freak out and it's easier on your mom, you could easily transport them there. My cats would be total freakazoids and everyone would be miserable including the catsitter. We know that cats don't like change much and they probably would be more comfortable and calmer in their own home but you've got your mom to consider, too.

Btw, can you share where you're going for vacation?

[catnapper]

I vote for keeping them in their own home too. Mom is only 15 minutes away so its a reasonable drive to make every day.

[Asiel]

We don't have cats but we do have 3 dogs. When possible they all come with us if we take a holiday but if it's not possible we leave them at home with a sitter that we know and trust. The only one to accompany us is the SD who is never left behind.