With every vacation, business trip, holiday, or any other occasion that requires you to leave your home, you end up wondering what you should do with your cat. Cats don’t seem as eager to travel as dogs; they are known for enjoying their freedom and independence. You probably know that it would be a bad idea to take your feline to a five stars hotel with a pool and open bar for a week, but what about only a weekend out of town? Or at your parents’? Should you even consider making a trip with your cat, or should you always arrange for someone to feed him while you’re away? Here we will provide you with some basic information on the topic to help you make the best decision.
Know your cat
We can’t get you one answer that will be right and true for all cats, because it always depends on the cat’s personality. Can your cat be patient? Do you objectively think that he will be able to make this trip? Even if he loves being by your side, traveling to a new place, the whole journey, and adjusting only to leave after a short while may all be too much. Some cats stress out more than others, which can sometimes lead to illnesses and later behavior issues.
Generally speaking, if you’re leaving for a couple of days, it may be better to find a pet sitter and leave your cat at home. However, if you’re going away for a more extended period, or there’s a reason why you have to take your cat with you, there are some steps you can take to make sure that everything will go as smoothly as possible.
Before the journey
First, you need to prepare everything you may need while you’re away: your cat’s favorite toys, his beloved Sheba cat food supply, his bed (or whatever he likes to sleep on the most), etc. You need to make the whole experience as familiar as possible.
Then, you can start familiarizing your cat with the carrier and the movements of your car. You can take him for short rides to see how he’s responding and what he may need to stay calm. Your cat will eventually understand that every time he gets to the carrier, he will get out (and not only for the checkup at the vet’s).
If your cat isn’t used to wearing a collar, it may be a good idea to get him used to it. There’s always a risk that he will get lost, and if you are in a place that’s unknown to him, he may not find his way back. The tag should include your name and phone number so that whoever finds your cat, can contact you. You can also consider teaching him how to walk on a leash, especially if your journey is going to be a long one.
Last but not least, you should take your cat to your veterinarian for a checkup shortly before your journey to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
During the journey
Don’t feed your cat just before the journey. If you’re leaving early in the morning, feed him right before you go to sleep the day before, and then, after the trip is over. It won’t do him any harm to miss breakfast once, and you will avoid all the problems related to a potential carsickness. You should only make sure that your cat drinks water and stays hydrated during the whole trip. You can consider buying some herbal calming essences to add them to his water, but no chemical medications. Make sure that the carrier is closed and secured at all times, and that there’s no danger of it flipping or hitting the floor or the doors.
After you’ve arrived
Introduce your cat to the new place. Bring the carrier inside and put it in the chosen room to give your cat some time to get used to the new surroundings and their smells. That’s why it’s important to take your cat’s stuff with you – his bed, bowl, litter, and toys have their smells that are familiar to your cat. It will make him feel secure.
Check the whole place for potential escape ways, like open doors and windows, and don’t let your cat out until you’re sure he can’t get out. Encourage him to leave the carrier and offer him a treat for going through the journey. Then, allow him to explore the place on his own.
Enjoy it together
If you have decided to take your cat with you, you need to acknowledge his presence, spend time playing with him or cuddling. You shouldn’t let him think that you have brought him to this strange place only to abandon him. Be caring and understanding, but not too much; you don’t want to spoil your cat during this journey.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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