You’ve spent weeks looking forward to your vacation. You’ve arranged for time off from work and made all the travel reservations, but there’s one major obstacle standing between you and your getaway. What to do with Kitty???
When making arrangements for your cat, keep in mind that most cats do not like change. Having you absent from the home for several days is a big deal for them, so it’s best to minimize other change as much as possible. With that in mind, let’s review the options for ensuring your cat is well cared for in your absence:
#1 – Let the cat stay on its own. Most cats do just fine on their own as long as someone comes in briefly every day or even every couple of days to put down fresh food and water, clean the litter boxes, deliver a few scratches behind the ears, and play with them a bit. They’re at home in their environment, your scent is everywhere, and if you have multiple cats they can amuse each other.
#2 – Arrange for a friend, family member, or professional pet sitter to stay in your home while you’re gone. If you have a cat who does not do well alone or if your cat has health concerns then this is a good alternative. Although your cat may go skittering for cover until they get used to someone other than you coming through the door, chances are they’ll soon warm up to their caretaker and be glad for the companionship.
#3 – Take your cat with you. Most cats do not enjoy traveling, but if yours does and if you will be staying in pet-friendly lodging, then this may be the perfect solution for you, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in your lodging facilities.
#4 – Leave your cat with a friend or family member. If you don’t have anyone nearby to stop in and care for your pet and a pet-sitter isn’t in your budget, then consider asking a cat-loving friend or family member if your cat can stay with him or her while you’re gone. Although your cat may not appreciate being taken out of its normal environment and may spend a good deal of time hiding under a bed the first day or two, chances are it will come around and do just fine.
#5 – Board the cat. Some cats do well in boarding facilities while others have difficulty adjusting to the kennel environment with all its strange sounds and scents. If you decide to board your cat, visit the facility in advance and ask to see where your cat will be kept. Make sure you feel confident that this is a safe and comfortable place for your cat to stay while you’re away.
Once you’ve decided on the best arrangements for your precious pet, remember to leave their caretaker with your cell phone or another number where you can be reached in case of emergency. Also leave written information such as the name and number of your veterinarian, any special feeding considerations, or medication needs. Additionally, if your cat will be staying away from home, whether with a friend or at a boarding facility, send along a pillowcase you’ve recently used or anything else that carries your scent, as this will be reassuring to your cat.
By taking the time to make the proper arrangements for your cat, your vacation time can be a positive experience for both of you. Your cat can remain safe and healthy and you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, knowing that your faithful companion is being well cared for in your absence.
Normally, it is one hell of a task to take your pets along when you are travelling at long distances but you can’t just leave them behind as they are part of the family but sometimes they do create nuisance onboard a flight or cruise so they have to be monitored and never let out of sight whenever they are out on their own and that couldn’t be more true for our trips & tours program where there was a get together of college friends which turned into a nightmare when my cat went berserk at a dinner party and caused pandemonium all around.