Cat care in the UK

Looking for a cattery alternative?
Keep your cat home with an in-home cat sitter.

A cattery boards your cat in a pen at a dedicated facility. The home alternative is an in-home cat sitter who visits your own house for feeding, fresh water, litter and play, so your cat keeps its territory and routine. On Petme you pay a 0% owner fee, earn cashback on completed bookings, and get Protection Plan up to £20,000.

Find a cat sitterCare at home. 0% owner fee. £20,000 Protection Plan.

0% owner fee + cashback

£59better off on Petme

£420
On Petme£407+£13 Cashback
Typical platforms£466+£46 Owner fee · 11-15%

Petme adds 0% owner fee and pays cashback (capped at £20 a booking). Typical platforms charge between 11% and 15% owner fees. Sitters set their own rates, so totals vary.

Up to 90%
of every booking kept by the sitter
£20,000
Protection Plan maximum for eligible vet costs
300K+
members on Petme
4.9 / 5
average sitter rating

Cattery, explained

What is a cattery, and what is the alternative?

A cattery is a licensed facility that boards cats in individual pens while their owners are away. Staff feed, water, and clean to a set routine, and your cat stays at the facility for the length of the trip. It is a long-established way to cover holidays, and for some cats it works well.

Cats are territorial, though, and many find a new environment stressful: unfamiliar smells, a small pen, the journey there, and the sound of other cats nearby. The home alternative is a cat sitter doing drop-in visits in your own home, handling feeding, fresh water, a clean litter tray, play, and any medication, plus a daily update so you can see how your cat is doing.

Both options are valid, and the right one depends on your cat. A confident cat that copes away from home may be fine at a cattery, while a territorial, anxious, senior, or multi-cat household usually does better staying put with a sitter. This page sets out the home alternative so you can weigh it against a cattery for your own cat.

The home alternative

Why owners choose an in-home cat sitter

An in-home cat sitter keeps your cat in the one place it feels safest. These are the reasons UK owners pick a sitter over a cattery.

Stays in its own territory

Your cat keeps its own home, smells, beds, and routine. For territorial cats that familiarity is far less stressful than a strange pen at a facility.

Less stress than a strange pen

No car journey, no unfamiliar space, no neighbouring cats. The sitter comes to your home, so your cat avoids the upheaval that a cattery can bring.

One-to-one attention and play

Each visit is dedicated to your cat: feeding, fresh water, a clean litter tray, and time to play or simply sit with a nervous cat at its own pace.

Daily photo and message update

Your sitter sends a photo and a short message after each visit, so you can see your cat is fed, settled, and well while you are away.

Home looks lived-in

Visits keep your house looking occupied: post brought in, plants watered, lights and curtains changed. A small bonus a cattery cannot offer.

£20,000 Protection Plan

The Protection Plan offers up to £20,000 for eligible vet costs if there is an accident or illness during the visits, subject to its terms. There is no separate charge for it.

Cattery or sitter

Cattery or home cat sitting: which is right?

A cattery suits cats that are comfortable away from home or that need close, on-site supervision, for example a cat with a complex medical routine that benefits from staff on hand. If your cat travels well and settles quickly in new places, a reputable licensed cattery can be a sound choice.

In-home sitting suits territorial, anxious, senior, or multi-cat households, where staying in familiar surroundings matters more than constant supervision. The cat keeps its routine and its space, and a verified sitter handles feeding, litter, play, and any medication with a daily update. If that fits your cat, the next step is to find a cat sitter near you.

Find a cat sitterSee cat sitting costs

Common questions

Cattery alternative questions, answered

What is a cattery?
A cattery is a licensed facility that boards cats in individual pens while their owners are away. Staff feed, water, and clean for each cat on a set routine, and the cat stays at the facility for the length of the booking rather than in its own home.
What is the best alternative to a cattery?
The home alternative to a cattery is an in-home cat sitter who visits your own house with drop-in visits for feeding, fresh water, litter, play, and any medication. Your cat keeps its own territory, smells, and routine, which suits territorial and anxious cats. On Petme you can find a verified UK cat sitter with no owner fee and £20,000 Protection Plan.
Is a cat sitter better than a cattery?
It depends on your cat. A cat sitter is often better for territorial, anxious, senior, or multi-cat households, because the cat stays in familiar surroundings instead of a strange pen. A cattery can suit cats that cope well away from home or need close supervision. Both are valid, so the right choice follows your cat, not a rule.
How often should a cat sitter visit?
For most healthy adult cats one visit a day is the usual minimum, covering food, fresh water, a clean litter tray, and some play. Two visits a day suit kittens, senior cats, cats on medication, or longer trips. You agree the visit frequency with your sitter on Petme before the booking starts.
Is it safe to leave a cat at home with a sitter?
Yes, with a verified sitter and clear instructions it is a safe and low-stress option for most cats. The sitter handles feeding, water, litter, and play, sends you a daily photo and message, and can reach a vet if needed. On Petme the Protection Plan offers up to £20,000 for eligible vet costs for accidents or illness during the visits, subject to its terms.
How much does a cat sitter cost in the UK?
In-home cat visits in the UK typically cost about £10 to £18 per visit, with independent UK pricing guides putting most drop-in cat visits in that band. The figure depends on your area, visit length, and the number of cats. On Petme the rate on a sitter's profile is what you pay, with no owner fee added at checkout.
Can a cat be left alone with only drop-in visits?
Most healthy adult cats are content at home with daily drop-in visits, since cats are territorial and value familiar surroundings. Kittens, unwell cats, and very social cats may need two visits a day or closer supervision. Agree the right schedule with your sitter, and leave notes on food, hiding spots, and any health needs.
Do I need a cattery if I have more than one cat?
No, a multi-cat household is often a strong case for an in-home sitter rather than a cattery. The cats stay together in their own territory, which avoids the stress of separate pens, and one set of visits can cover the whole household. On Petme you agree the number of cats and visit frequency with the sitter up front.

Ready to book

Keep your cat home while you are away

An in-home cat sitter is the calm cattery alternative for most UK cats: feeding, fresh water, litter and play in your own home, with a 0% owner fee, cashback on completed bookings, and Protection Plan up to £20,000.

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