Options For Pet Care Of Cats When You Go On Vacation

You may be concerned about your pet dog’s safety when you go on a vacation.  The 3 important options are you could take the cat with you or board the cat at the veterinarian’s office or a kennel or have a cat sitter come to your house to care for the cat.

Things to consider if you take the cat with you:

a) This could be a good option when your cat is friendly and easy-going and is not hyper about other people and does not hide or take off running. Also the cat should not be averse to travelling in his carrier in your vehicle.

b) If you are staying in someone’s house, their permission should be taken as some may allergic to cats or there could be other animals that are not friendly to cats or kids that are not familiar to cats and would pester them. If you are staying in a hotel ensure that it is pet friendly.

c) You will have to carry with you litter box, litter scooper, bags, food, water, treats, two bowls, spoons, something to clean the bowls, blankets, toys, any medications, a cat first aid kit, sticky rollers or something to remove all the tons of loose cat hair everywhere, cat carrier, leash and harness and something to clean up vomit and/or potty accidents.

Things to consider if you board the cat:

a) Ensure you like the kennel or vet’s boarding area.

b) Get your cat vaccinated well in advance by contacting a vet as most reputed kennels would require proof of your cat’s health care.

c) Ensure you board your pet cat away from the area dogs are boarded to reduce noise and their stress.

d) Besides basic cat care many boarding facilities will spend time playing, grooming & petting your cat.

e) It is best to board a cat that has health issues and is sick with a vet as he/she can treat it immediately.

f) Take items like your cat’s personal goodies; such as: blanket, scratching post, her own litter box & litter, toys that are allowed.  Ensure you take the food the cat is used to eating.

g) The cat may initially act up, not eat, or hide, but she will soon get used to the boarding.

h) The pet cat would require parasite treatment at your cost before placing the cat in its designated room if fleas and parasites are found on her arrival.

i) Most vet offices can only offer limited sized cages that are cumbersome, while boarding facilities have larger areas for the cats to freely move around in.

Things to consider if you choose a cat sitter:

a) Cats prefer familiar surroundings, scent and stability; ensure that the cat sitter who may be friend, neighbor, family member or a professional pet sitter visits you a few times before you leave.

b) Ensure that the cat sitter comes at least once a day to clean out the litter box, provide fresh water and food, give meds if required, and attempt to play with the cat to help burn off some energy.

c) Your pet cat could have behavioral problems due to being bored or depressed being left alone for such long periods of time. Cat proof the house massively before leaving on a trip; set up an extra litter box, close the doors to most of the rooms, and store away cords and other items that your cat could chew on.

d) Though professional pet sitters are trained to care for cats with special needs or conditions, it would be better to board her in a vet’s office in case of special needs.

e) Provide the cat sitter with your vet’s phone number, number/ numbers to reach you while you’re away, anything special that the sitter needs to tend to, and what the sitter is allowed to do in case the cat needs emergency medical care. Also inform you vet that you are leaving your cat at home with a cat sitter and if anything happens, what the vet has permission to do in your absence.

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