While we may think cats are perfectly content with being alone, they are actually fairly social animals. They also require fairly consistent attention and care. This means that going away will require some planning on your part. Today, our Baton Rouge vets offer some suggestions on where to leave your cat when you go on vacation and why these are good options.
What You Can Do With Your Cat While You're on Vacation
Whether you're off on a family road trip or jet-setting to exotic corners of the world, you'll need to figure out what to do with your cat while you're gone. Should you ask a friend or family member to stay with them for the duration of your vacation? What about booking your kitty a stay at a pet boarding facility?
While most cats can be left alone for one night, kittens under four months old and certain breeds, such as Maine coons, Ragdoll cats, and Scottish folds all tend to enjoy time with their human companions especially. We'll cover some popular options for where to leave your cat while you're away below.
Leaving Your Cat at Home Alone While on Vacation
As previously stated, most cats will do fine if left alone for a night and may not even notice your absence if they are given enough food, fresh water, and toys. Young cats under four months old, as well as the breeds mentioned above, do best with having people to keep them company. Kittens under four months old should not be left alone fo 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 comfortable and safe. Your cat needs you to fulfill their basic needs and provide them with care.
At Home With a Cat Sitter
One good option is to have a cat sitter come in every day to check in on your cat if you need to leave your kitty at home. You can ask this visitor to clean the litter box, and check that your cat's food and water dishes are full. Don't forget those all-important cuddles and one-on-one playtime.
This option will likely reduce your cat's stress as they'll be in their own environment and get to use their litter box. Plus, everything will be where they are used to it being. This is typically the simplest and most effective option.
You can either have a friend or family member that your cat is familiar with to come in and take care of them or have a professional cat sitter come in to watch your feline companion.
Having someone your cat is already familiar and comfortable with can also help decrease their stress levels and feel more relaxed. On the other hand, a professional sitter will know everything about how to take care of a cat properly, and can make sure all of your kitty's needs are met.
When hiring a pet sitter, confirm they are well-versed in your kitty's behaviors, habits, and needs, since each cat is unique. Tell the sitter what time of day your cat eats, how much food they require, your kitty's energy level, if medications must be administered at specific times, and so on. We recommend providing a kitten care guide to your sitter so they have a written guide on precisely how to meet all of your cat's needs.
Leaving Your Cat at a Friend or Relative's Place
If your cat is comfortable with staying at places other than your home, you might want to consider sending them to your friend or family member's house.
The advantage of this option is that your pet will be constantly monitored and given more attention than if you had a visitor come in every 24 hours. However, if they already have a cat with whom yours does not get along, or if your kitty does not like one of the people in the house, this can backfire and increase your cat's stress even more than if they were left alone.
If you'd like to leave your pet at someone's house, we recommend dropping them off for a few days trial stay before you leave so you can make sure everything goes well. If this doesn't work out, you will still have time to find an alternative for your feline family member.
You should be sure that the person you choose loves cats and is happy to help, 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 boarding cats 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. Be sure to call them in advance to ensure that they have the space and resources for your feline friend.
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 should also be happy with the feel of the kennel. Is it calm 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 ensure your cat will be comfortable and well cared for in your absence.
At Our boarding facility at Kleinpeter Veterinary Hospital is cat-friendly, and 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 Boarding Your Cat While on Vacation
Some of the benefits of professional cat boarding facilities include:
- 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.