The Downside of Catteries That You Might Want to Know

Not sure about whether to place your cat in cattery or opt for a Pet Sitter?

You’ve come to right place as we begin to shred some light on some potential downside of catteries and what you keep in mind - however, it’s not all doom and gloom. Let’s dive in to explore this!

Stress from Environment Change

• Cats are creatures of habit — they thrive on routine and familiar territory.

• A cattery, with new smells, sounds, and people, can cause significant stress and anxiety, especially in shy or nervous cats.

• This stress can lead to:

  • Hiding or shutdown behavior

  • Refusing to eat or use the litter box

  • Excessive grooming or aggression
    

Limited Space & Freedom

• Many catteries house cats in small enclosures or pens, limiting their ability to roam, climb, and explore.

• Some facilities offer “cat condos” or playrooms, but often at an extra cost or shared time slots.

• Indoor cats used to larger spaces may feel especially confined.
  

Exposure to Illness

• Even clean, well-run catteries carry the risk of:

  • Upper respiratory infections (like cat flu)

  • Fleas or ear mites

  • GI bugs from stress or shared items

• Cats with weak immune systems, like kittens or seniors, are particularly vulnerable.
  

Noisy or Busy Atmosphere

• Barking dogs (if the facility boards both), constant activity, or unfamiliar humans can overstimulate or frighten cats.

• Many cats are easily stressed by noise and may spend their entire stay in hiding or trying to escape.
  

Disruption of Routine

• Cats are routine-oriented. In catteries, they may:

  • Get fed on a different schedule

  • Use unfamiliar litter types

  • Interact with different people daily

• This can throw off their behavior, digestion, and sleep patterns.
  

Can Be Expensive (for Quality Care)

• Basic cattery rates may seem reasonable, but extras like:

  • Medication administration

  • Extra playtime or brushing

  • Private suites

  • Updates/photos …can really add up.
    

Not Ideal for All Cats

• Cats with special needs (anxiety, medical issues, elderly cats, or aggressive tendencies) often don’t do well in catteries.

• Many cats will not eat, interact, or use the litter box normally while there.

🏠 Alternative: In-Home Cat Sitting

Many cat owners (and cats!) prefer:

• A professional sitter visiting the home

• Less disruption to the cat’s environment

• Personalized attention and updates

• Safer and more comfortable for anxious or senior cats

🔁 TL;DR: Cattery Downsides

❌ Problem🐾 Why It’s an IssueStressful EnvironmentCats hate change and noiseIllness ExposureShared air, surfaces, and itemsSmall Living SpacesLimited stimulation and exerciseRoutine DisruptionCan lead to poor eating/toiletingNot Ideal for All CatsSeniors, sick, and shy cats may suffer