Traveling And Vacations With Cats
What items should I pack for my cat when traveling?
When you need to make a road trip with your cat or let's say you are travelling or moving from one part of the country to the next due to a job relocation or something similar, you need to really make sure you're packing with your cat's needs in mind. Firstly they should be in a carrier. The cat should be able to have access to water inside that carrier. They should have also have a little bed in that carrier. You need to have a little bag for your cat in there too, so that you have an extra leash, an extra set of identifications, the right amount of your cat's food supply according to the length of the journey because you don't really want to change your cat's diet while you are transporting your cat from point A to point B. Give them a favorite toy if they have one. You also need to make sure that you put your contact information, your destination, and maybe the hotel you will be staying at somewhere on the carrier. That way if for some reason your cat gets lost or something happens, there are ways to reach you quickly. Finally and most importantly, all cats whether on the go or staying and being homebodies, need to have microchips.
How do I keep my cat safe when traveling in a car?
For those times when you need to transport your cat in the car--sometimes we think the nicest, safest thing we can do is to have our cat on our lap or on the seat next to us so we can pet them and keep them calm. Unfortunately, that's the most dangerous thing you can do. And the reasons are these: Your cat can accidentally panic and claw you and you can cause an accident. Your can could get stuck under your gas or break pedal. If you have to stop quickly, your cat actually can be propelled through the windshield. So, as much as we like them sitting next to us and being able to talk to them, the best and safest thing is to have your cat in a carrier. And you should have the carrier actually in the middle seat, not in the front seat; it's far safer. When we're driving, we have enough distractions. We don't need to have to worry about a cat loose in the car.
How long can I leave my cat at home when I go on vacation?
We all deserve vacations. When you are planning to go on vacation, the worst thing you can do is simply leave your cat home alone with a big bowl of food and plenty of water. Cats, just like people and dogs, can suffer from separation anxiety if left at home for a long period of time. If they have some kind of need, there will be no-one there to help them with it. So if you're going on vacation, go on vacation and enjoy it with the peace of mind of having hired a professional licensed and bonded pet sitter or having a trusted friend or neighbor who can come by or even house-sit for you. Cats do need interaction with their owner and it's far better and easier to enjoy that trip when you know that there's someone there who can cater to your cat's needs.
What is the best way to feed my cat when I go on vacation?
If you need to go for a little getaway and you're wondering how best to feed your cat, certainly I do recommend that you have someone make a daily visit to your cat. If there's something that happens where you might be two days or so away from your cat, you can get these automated food feeders that help. They dole out the daily needs of your cat, but that said, I really, really advise that you have somebody come in and check on your cats. Hey, they can bring in your mail, your newspapers, water your plants. So if you're leaving, don't leave your cat home alone.
How can I best prepare my cat sitter before I go on vacation?
When you're ready to go on vacation give yourself a little time to spend one on one time with a professional pet sitter, or someone you trust to house sit. When informing your pet sitter: Tell them your cat's tendencies. Print out the cat's daily routines. Label the cat food and treats. Have the vet number handy. Sit down and let them know, be honest, tell them all the good and bad about your cat's personality. Talk about your cat's routines. Do whatever you can so, when that person comes in the house it mimics as much of your daily routine, that your cat has come to know and expect. Secondly, it goes without saying, write it all down. Send them an email and keep another printed copy of the cat's daily routine on the counter for that person. Label things, for the cat food and cat treats. Let them know where things are. Have the number of your veterinarian handy, another neighbour, or trusted friend, that if something happens to the cat you know who to turn to. These are all things that make their job a little bit easier too; it gives them a little bit of peace of mind. Knowing, "Hey, I know where the cat's food is." "I know where the litter box is." "I know this cat loves to play with this feather wand at five o'clock every night." These things just go a long way, so when in doubt over tell the person about your daily life and routine with your cat.
