While you may wish your feline companion could come along when you go out of town, this isn't always possible, and you'll need to think about your cat's care while you're on vacation. In this post, our Fort Worth vets share some ideas for where to leave a cat while you're on vacation.
Deciding Where to Leave Your Cat While You're on Vacation
Choosing a place to leave your cat while you're away can be a challenge. Should you leave them at home or board them at a kennel? While most cats can be left alone for one night, cats younger than four months old and certain cat breeds require companionship.
Leaving Your Cat at Home While on Vacation
As stated above, most cats will be fine if left alone for one night and may not even notice your absence if they have adequate food, water, and toys. Young cats under four months old, along with breeds like Scottish folds, rag dolls, and sphynx, do best when they have people keeping them company. Kittens younger than four months old should not be left alone for more than four hours.
We don't recommend leaving your cat alone longer than 24 hours, since cats are social creatures that need their owner's attention to feel safe and comfortable. They depend on you to ensure all of their care requirements are met.
At Home With a Cat Sitter
If you do need to leave your cat at home, one option is to have a cat sitter come in every day to clean the litter box, check your feline friend's food and water, and give them some quality one-on-one playtime and snuggles.
This option may involve less stress for your cat, since they'll be in their environment and get to use their litter box, and everything will stay where they are used to finding it. This is also a cost-effective choice, especially if you have more than one cat.
You can have a friend or family member that your cat is comfortable with serve as the sitter. This may help to reduce any stress your kitty may be experiencing about you being away and make them feel more relaxed. On the other hand, a professional cat sitter will know the ins and outs of properly taking care of a cat and can make sure every need is fulfilled.
When hiring a pet sitter, check that they are well-versed in your kitty's habits, needs, and behaviors, since each feline is unique. Tell the sitter which time of day your cat eats, how much food they require, their energy level, if medications must be administered at specific times, and so on. We recommend giving your sitter a guide to caring for your kitten so they'll know exactly how to meet all of your cat's specific needs.
Leaving Your Cat at a Friend or Relative's Place
Is your cat comfortable going to other places? If so, you might want to consider leaving them at a relative or friend's home.
The advantage of this option is that your cat will be continually monitored and given more attention. However, if your friend or relative already has a cat with whom yours does not get along, or if your kitty does not like the person with whom they are staying, this can backfire and increase your pet's stress even more than if they were left alone.
If you would like to leave your pet at someone's house we recommend dropping them off for a few days before you leave as a trial stay so you can make sure your kitty gets along alright. If this doesn't work out you will still have time to find another option for your furry companion.
Also make sure the person you are leaving your cat with can meet all of your kitty's needs and is willing and eager to perform the task, if not, you may want to find another option.
Boarding for Cats While on Vacation (Kennels)
Boarding and kennels aren't just for dogs, lots of boarding facilities also welcome cats. This is also probably the best option for your pet when you are on vacation.
Boarding facilities should be run by professionals who will make sure your cat is always, fed, watered, supervised, and get's quality one-on-one time. You will also need to call them well in advance to book your cat's stay to ensure they have availability and space for your four-legged companion.
While many cats can have separation anxiety and might be stressed out by being left alone with strangers in an unknown environment, there are steps you can take to lessen their fears such as bringing along their favorite toys, blankets, bed, or even a piece of your clothing. You can also do a trial run to make sure your kitty gets along well at the facility, this also helps make them familiar with the setting.
You should also clearly communicate with the facility to make sure they clearly understand all of your cat's needs and that they offer all of the boarding services you and your cat require.
You must feel at ease with the kennel you have chosen; ensure that it is clean, well-run, and quiet. Check to see if the facility you're considering is cat-friendly, with a separate boarding area for cats and dogs, and that your kitty's kennel is large enough to keep the litter box separate from their food and bed. You should also check to see if it has features like a window for your cat to look out, climate-controlled kennels, and quality one-on-one time with the staff.
Take the time to view the place your kitty will be staying in from their perspective, to make sure your cat will be comfortable and well cared for in your absence.
At A-Animal Clinic & Boarding Kennel, our boarding facility is cat-friendly. Our professional and qualified veterinary team will ensure all of your cat's needs are being met. We will answer any questions you may have and offer trial stays to make sure we are the perfect fit for your pet.
The Benefits of Leaving Your Cat at a Kennel
Here are the benefits of leaving your cat at a high-quality, professional boarding facility while you are on vacation:
- Your cat will be supervised their entire stay
- Their feeding schedule will be the same as it is at home
- Your kitty's kennel will be cleaned daily
- The staff will notice if your cat is not eating or if they are sick
- Good kennels offer calming and relaxing environments for cats
- The staff can make sure your cat's medications are administered properly and on time
- You can call them to see how your kitty is doing
At the end of the day, it is your choice where you will leave your cat while on vacation; take the time to weigh your options and ensure you are selecting the best option for you and your feline companion.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.