When you go on vacation, you must ensure that your beloved furry friend is well taken care of. But what do you need to arrange? Here is a checklist with 5 tips – then you can be sure you won’t forget anything!
Tip 1: Arrange a cat sitter
If your cat stays at home while you go on vacation, you need to arrange a cat sitter. It should be someone you trust, preferably someone who knows your cat well because that way you can be sure your cat is in good hands. If you don’t have family or friends who can look after your cat, you can look for a professional cat sitter – someone who understands cats and whom you pay to care for your cat.
Looking for a good cat sitter? 2 Important tips:
- Start your search for a good sitter in advance, so you can invite that person to your home to meet with you and your cat.
- Do research on references about the sitter. If you can’t find any, ask the sitter for at least three written references from clients.
Tip 2: Your cat at a cat hotel or cat boarding
Prefer not to leave your cat at home? Then you can look for a cat hotel or cat boarding facility. These are places where you bring your cat, and they take good care of your cat. Most hotels and boarding facilities require your cat to be vaccinated against various cat diseases.
And what is the difference between a cat boarding facility and a cat hotel? A boarding facility is often a place where different pets (separated from each other) stay, such as dogs, cats, and small animals. Cats that get along well with other cats are often allowed to roam freely together. Cats that are less social or require special diets are often housed in separate enclosures.
This will help your cat cope with stressful situations such as fireworks
A cat hotel is a more luxurious accommodation with more personalized attention and care for your cat. Typically, the accommodations are larger, there are no other types of pets present, and some have their own outdoor areas.
If your cat is going to a cat boarding facility or cat hotel, always provide a blanket or bed with your cat’s scent on it. This will help your cat feel more comfortable and at ease.
Tip 3: Medical care for your cat
Some cats require medication – for example, a cat with diabetes needs insulin injections, and a cat with a thyroid condition requires pills. Does your cat need special care or medication as well? Then you should look for a medical cat sitter when you go on vacation.
They may be rare, but they do exist. You can search for a sitter with training (and experience) as a veterinary assistant or someone with extensive experience in caring for sick cats. Some boarding facilities and cat hotels can also administer medication. But here too, the key is to start your search in advance and ask for references, so you can go on vacation with peace of mind!
Tip 4: For the cat staying at home while you’re on vacation
A cat prefers to be in its own environment. If you’re going on vacation and can arrange a good sitter, that’s a great choice. But there are some things you need to take care of before you leave:
- Ensure there is enough cat food at home.
- Place multiple water bowls.
- Provide your cat with protection against fleas and, if necessary, worms.
- Clean the litter boxes and make sure there’s enough cat litter at home.
- Prepare any necessary medications.
- Ensure there is a good cat tree.
- Make sure your cat has access to their favorite spots in the house.
- If you’re going on a winter vacation, don’t set the heating too low and provide plenty of warm blankets and cat beds.
Tip 5: Make it easy for the cat sitter
The most important thing is that your cat receives good care while you’re on vacation. Attention is also crucial – a little cuddling and playing makes every cat relaxed and happy. To ensure this, provide the sitter with clear instructions and knowledge of where everything is, so they have ample time for your cat. Here’s how you can do it best:
Create a clear note for the sitter.
Whether it’s a friend or family member or a professional cat sitter, always leave a note with explanations and references. This will help things stay as normal as possible for your cat, and the sitter will know exactly what to do. Include important phone numbers on the note – yours and your vet’s.
Let the sitter visit your home once before.
Arrange a meeting in advance and let the sitter visit your home. This way, you can show them where everything is and explain your cat’s habits, such as their favorite toys.
Vacuum and clean the litter boxes.
If your vacation is longer than a few days, ask the sitter to vacuum regularly and clean the litter boxes. This will help keep everything clean and prevent a flea infestation. If you’re lucky, the sitter might even water your plants!
Request updates.
If you know you’ll miss your cat during your vacation, ask the sitter to send occasional updates with photos and videos. This way, you can be sure your cat is doing well and enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.
We hope this information helps, and we wish you a worry-free vacation. Because let’s be honest, you can only truly relax when you know your cat is in good hands. Is everything sorted out? Or would you like to spoil your cat a bit more with a nice gift? Consider getting a new scratching post. We bet your cat will be delighted!
Also read: Is your cat throwing up? Here’s what you need to know!
Disclaimer: Petrebels is not a veterinarian or a behavior specialist. All content, information, and tips in this blog are meant to inspire and provide information. If your cat has issues or health concerns, or if you’re unsure about your cat’s well-being, always consult a veterinarian or a behavior specialist.
