How to Get Your Cat Prepared for Your Vacation
When you are preparing to go on vacation, leaving your pets behind, you may be so focused on packing, booking hotels, and thinking of the activities that await you that you may be conscious of the special attention you need to give you furry friends before you make your getaway.
Believe it or not, both cats and dogs can experience separation anxiety, though we tend to stereotype cats as being far too independent to care whether or not we have gone. But after seeing my pair of kittens after a weekend away, I can tell you that this notion is mistaken.
That is why it is so important to make sure that your cat is adequately cared for both before and during your upcoming getaway. Let me share some suggestions to help you do just that.
Let me first issue a warning: do NOT leave your kitty home alone with some extra food and water for company UNLESS you are planning a short overnight stay elsewhere. Domesticated animals are prone to feel abandoned if they are deprived of human contact. This is bound to lead to destructive behavior (out of anxiety) and/or escape attempts.
If you are only going to be gone for two or three days, it may wise to ask a friend or neighbor to step in a few times a day to check on food and water levels, clean the litter box, and play with your cat. Try to select someone with whom your cat is already comfortable, as many felines tend to be shy around strangers, meaning that bringing in a pet sitter will be virtually useless.
If your vacation is going to exceed three days, I advise that you contact a reputable pet boarding service in your area. You should do this as far in advance as possible so that you can visit the boarding site to ensure the conditions are up to your standard. I always choose boarding agencies that have 24-hour staffing in the event there is an emergency.
Between a month and two weeks before you take off, you should take your kitty into the vet for a standard checkup. The reason is that the veterinarian may find some condition that might need immediate treatment that a pet sitter or boarding agency should know about.
If you have a medium or long-haired feline, it would be a good idea to have him or her groomed before your departure. Tangles and mats in the fur create discomfort at any time, but this will keep grooming minimal for anyone else that is the cat’s caretaker, which will make it easier for everyone.
Don’t worry if your furry friend seems incensed or stressed when you come home. They don’t really understand what has happened. Just be patient, and they’ll come around.
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