How can I have my cat looked after during the vacations?

It’s vacation time, and you need to plan the logistics for your cat. Many questions come to mind, and you want to make sure you’re making the best choices for peace of mind while you’re away. In this article, we’ll answer all your questions and guide you in making the right decisions according to your cat’s state of health and temperament, as well as the duration of your trip. We’ll also reassure you about the main concerns of any good cat owner going on vacation!

Do cats get bored when they’re alone?

Some people are very worried about this and even refuse to leave for fear that their cat will get bored. In fact, you can rest assured that your cat will be able to put up with your absence for a while!  

First of all, what you need to know is that cats don’t perceive the passage of time in the same way as we do. He sees time passing because the light is not the same throughout the day, because the letter carrier comes at such and such a time every day, the little neighbor comes home for dinner every lunchtime at the same time, and so your cat sees him through the window at the same time every day,   school bus unloads children at 5.10 a.m.  every day,  Mrs. Tremblay goes for a walk with Filou every day around 4:00 p.m. and you arrive from work around 4:15 p.m… And that’s why kitty is in the window “waiting” for you… you always arrive shortly after Mrs. Tremblay.  

This way, your cat won’t get bored as such, because he’s used to this routine. That’s why it’s so important to establish a routine with the sitter (if you choose this option) and to stick to it (having the sitter always come at the same time is ideal).  

Of course, for a cat suffering fromseparation anxiety, it’s a different matter altogether. But this condition is rare in cats, and must be diagnosed by a behaviorist veterinarian.

What is the best daycare option for my cat?

When it’s time to go on vacation, choosing what to do with your cat can be stressful. Is it possible to leave the cat alone for a while? Or should you bring him along? Depending on the length of your trip, but also on your cat’s character and health, the answer can be very different.  

First of all, you need to determine the length of the trip to find out if your cat can stay at home with a trustworthy person who comes to look after him every day. 

How many days can a cat be left alone?

Ideally, none at all. It’s imperative that someone makes sure the cat is well, that there are no clinical signs that could indicate the onset of a health problem (such as vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc.), and that no incidents have occurred that would have put the cat in a bad position.  

If you’re going away for 2 weeks or less and/or if your cat is shy by nature, it’s best to leave your cat at home. As mentioned above, someone must be designated to come to the house, ensure the cat’s good health, feed it, replace its water, make its litter and spend time with it every day.  

If you’re going away for more than 2 weeks and/or if your cat has a medical condition, you should consider boarding her (in a facility where this service is offered or with someone you trust) or finding someone to come and live with you for the duration of your absence.

Option 1: Board your cat 

Cat boarding can be a real little paradise. Of course, when choosing a boarding kennel, it’s important to carry out thorough research into the professionalism and reputation of the establishment you choose. This way, you can be sure of the quality of care your cat will receive during its stay.

A good feline boarding facility has excellent references and is often affiliated with a veterinary establishment. You should be able to visit the premises and facilities, meet the staff and check references/specializations if they have them, ask questions about how they operate, etc.

Option 2: Entrust your cat to a friend

You can also arrange for someone you trust to look after your cat. If this person has no other cats, the procedure is the same as for moving house.

On the other hand, if the person has cats at home and your cat will be staying with them for more than 21 days, then you need to follow the classic introduction technique, as if you were welcoming a new feline into your home.

Under 21 days’ care, it’s best to keep your cat in a room reserved for him or her. If you think this is cruel, think again! The stress caused by forced cohabitation with other animals (i.e., where everyone shares the same environment even though they don’t know each other) is far worse than isolation, both for the visiting animals and for the animals being visited.  

Option 3: Keep your cat at home and have home visits

If you choose to have someone come and look after your cat at home while you’re on vacation, make sure you choose them meticulously. This person must understand the place your cat occupies in your life and how important it is to you.  

The person you choose to look after your cat during your vacation must be familiar with cats and know how to interact with them. Ideally, if this person already knows your cat, it’s a must, since your cat won’t be intimidated by her presence and will probably feel more comfortable interacting with her, making it easier to care for her (if necessary) and to cuddle and play with her.  

If the person you choose has animal-related skills (animal health technician, animal care attendant, etc.), this is also an asset, especially if your cat needs to be medicated while you’re away, or if close monitoring of its health is required.

At Éduchateur, we have just the people you need! Our division Entre pattes et mains division offers in-home pet-sitting services for cats (but also for dogs), giving you exactly what you need. On the following page, you’ll find information about our pet-sitting services and a link to the division’s complete website.

Precautions to take before hiring a cat sitter

Whether you’re leaving your cat at home in the care of a guardian, or boarding her, there are a few things to consider before you leave. 

First, to board your cat:

• make sure you bring all his personal belongings (food, treats, bowls and/or interactive bowls, water fountain, litter box and substrate, cushions and blankets, etc.) as well as his medication (if he is taking any) and inform the janitor or boarding staff of the doses, method and frequency of administration;
• Describe your cat’s character and habits: eating habits (frequency of meals and portions), water consumption, frequency of bowel movements and urination, playing and sleeping habits;
• be sure to leave your cat’s health record (with vaccination certificates), as well as the contact details of his or her vet, in case of any concerns during your absence. If you haven’t already done so, it’s strongly recommended that you bring your cat’s vaccinations up to date before boarding. Good establishments will insist on this, as they care about the health of your cat and those of others, and want to avoid the transmission of disease at all costs;
• Also contact your veterinary clinic to let them know you’re going on vacation and who will be taking care of your cat. It’s a good idea to leave them contact details (for both the vet and the caretaker/boarder) so that they can reach you in case of need, as well as instructions on what to do with your cat in the event of illness.  

Another very important point:

• Make sure that your cat has no access to the outdoors during its stay with the guardian or in the boarding facility, even if it is normally used to going outside. 

Finally, although we don’t like to think about this kind of thing, it’s important to consider what will happen to your cat if something should happen to you. Have you mentioned in your will what decisions are to be made regarding your pet in the event of your death? It’s best to think about how you’d like your pet to be treated in the event of an unfortunate event.

Will my cat “sulk” when I return? 

When you return from vacation, whether you’ve boarded your cat or left it in the care of a guardian, everyone asks the same questions: will my cat be “resentful” when I arrive? What should I do if my cat “sulks”? Since my return, my cat has been acting strangely, is this normal?  

Your cat may indeed exhibit behaviors that seem strange or inappropriate when you return home. It’s true that his routine will be disrupted and that this may cause him a little stress (and sometimes it can lead to certain minor behavioral problems), but it’s nothing he won’t recover from very quickly. He may be a little different when you return home, while he gets back into his routine, but he’ll be back to normal in no time, so don’t worry.  

How do I travel with my cat?

In the event of a very long journey, it’s always a good idea to take your cat with you. Whether you’re traveling with your cat by car, plane or train, there are several things to think about and plan for.  

Different countries have different requirements. You need to make sure you comply withimport/export regulations in each country. What’s more, each airline handles pet transportation differently, meaning that some will allow people to keep their cats in the cabin with them, while others require them to travel in the hold. You also need to determine whether quarantine is required on arrival at your destination, and plan accordingly.  

You’ll also need to plan a visit to your vet with your cat before you leave (the time between this visit and departure may vary depending on the country you’re going to), as your cat will most likely need vaccinations and/or deworming, or certain tests may be required.

So, as you can see, there are many possibilities when you go on vacation, and many things to plan and/or prepare before you leave. You need to plan everything according to what’s best for your cat. But most important of all… know that your cat won’t hold it against you, and that there may be a short period of adjustment when you return home, as he’ll have to get back into his usual routine.

If, however, there have been any problems with your cat during your vacation or on your return, our consultation service will be able to help.

Written by Kym Lecault
Educator and Animal Health Technician

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