Before adopting a cat, or any other animal, it is very important to take into account all the responsibilities that this entails. In particular, where to leave a cat during the holidays is a matter that cannot be overlooked in any way.
We are aware that feline he alth can be affected when their guardians go on vacation if their care is not arranged properly. For this reason, in this article on our site we will share our recommendations on where to leave a cat on vacation, or what to do to ensure its well-being. Thus, if you ask yourself: " I'm going on vacation, what do I do with my cat?", then we will answer your question.
Where to leave my cat on vacation?
Many people believe that the apparently more independent personality of the cat allows him to be alone at home without any problem, because it is not true! Cats require daily attention from us, and leaving them kilos of food and liters of water is not enough if we plan to be away for a few days. As with dogs, domestic cats need someone to take care of them and supervise them to check that everything is in order, play with them and give them love. It is true that not all cats accept human contact equally, especially when we talk about strangers, but this does not mean that we should not provide them with adequate attention. To do this, there are different options that we will have to assess depending on the personality of our feline, such as leaving it at home under surveillance, taking it to someone you trust, or putting it up in a hotel or cattery.
Can I leave the cat at home on vacation?
The most common option among guardians is to leave the cat in the comfort of their home and ask someone they trust to visit and care for the animal every day. Undoubtedly, the best environment for a cat is its home, therefore, it is always best to leave the cat at home on vacation. Of course, as we say, always under surveillance!, so the answer to the question "can I leave my cat alone on vacation?" is a resounding NO. In other words, at home with someone yes, at home completely alone no.
Cats are animals that are very susceptible to change, so take them to an unknown place, whether it's a person's house feline friend or residence, with total probability will develop stress and anxiety in them, unless our feline is so sociable that it has the ability to adapt to any environment without any problem. However, the latter tend to be a minority.
Feline ethologists and psychologists advise choosing this option whenever possible to reduce the animal's anxiety as much as possible. Obviously, especially in those more dependent felines, preventing them from missing their guardians is practically impossible, so in some cases it is possible to witness symptoms of separation anxiety. However, if we ask someone we trust and, especially, for the cat to move into our home, this whole process will be much more bearable.
Recommendations for leaving a cat at home on vacation
As it is not always easy to find someone willing to live in our house in our absence, if you visit the animal daily and dedicate time to it, it will be essential that carry out the following tasks:
- Clean the litter box.
- Change the food and clean the feeder.
- Renew the water.
- Play with the cat.
- Give medication if necessary.
Since cats are very sensitive, it is common to see cats stop eating during the absence of their humans. This fast can bring he alth consequences such as liver lipidosis or kidney problems. The same thing can happen if the animal is left completely alone at home, with large amounts of food for every day, since they tend to eat three times as much during the first few days, later being left with nothing and putting their he alth at risk. For this reason, in addition to insisting on the importance of delegating the surveillance and care of our cat on vacation to someone, we highlight the value of checking that the animal eats and drinks.
Water is essential, and if the water bowl is dirty or the water is not in proper condition, the cat may not drink anything, even causing symptoms of dehydration. In general, cats prefer water sources to present this vital liquid in movement or, alternatively, bowls with overflowing, fresh and clean water.
The litter box must also be cleaned daily, so it is essential that all this information is passed on to the person in charge of caring for the cat on vacation if they do not know it.
Because of all of the above, the ideal is to ask a family member or friend who loves cats and who is available to care for the cat 1-2 hours a day, As minimum. Another option is to hire a professional to come to the home for the requested time. Currently, more and more professionals are adding this service, including veterinary clinics, which guarantee adequate treatment adapted to each particular case. If you consider this possibility, pay attention to the work method to always opt for those professionals who work positively and watch over the welfare of the animals.
Finally, the use of pheromones in a diffuser, such as those from Feliway, provide the cat with a relaxed and calm environment, highly recommended for felines prone to stress.
Can I leave my cat alone for a weekend?
Many guardians wonder how many days a cat can be home alone or if it is possible to leave a cat alone for a weekend. The answer is NO We do not advise the cat to be home alone for more than one day. Many things can happen in a weekend and if there is no one to call the vet quickly, the animal could suffer serious consequences. Something as simple as the cat eating all its food on the first day can develop he alth problems that require immediate attention.
For all your attention, if you go on vacation and don't know what to do with your cat, even if it's a weekend, ask someone to watch and care for the animal or hire the services of a professional. Human company is essential to ensure that all the resources that the cat needs are present and in the correct condition, such as water, food, cleaning or toys. Likewise, cats that live without the company of other animals still need this human contact even more to cover their social needs, so it is very important that someone comes to visit him every day to ensure his well-being.
Hotels or boarding houses for cats
If your cat is outgoing, very sociable and adapts easily to any environment, the option of choosing a hotel or feline residence it can present multiple advantages In addition to having constant attention, he will interact with other cats, enjoy new environments and keep himself entertained. Likewise, this option to leave the cat on vacation is especially indicated for those felines in treatment that require several administrations during the day, since many residences have a veterinary service 24 hours a day.
Now then, if your cat is a he althy animal, t shy and susceptible to change (like most), this option is not the most suitable for him because of the emotional problems that can develop in him. In this case, opt for the previous options.
What to consider when choosing a feline residence?
First of all your cat's needs. Currently there are many residences that we can find, with varied services and different comforts. Therefore, it is best to check each of their services and ensure that they are adapted to your feline, offer permanent attention, care, quality food, sessions game and, in short, they care about their well-being in your absence. To do this, do not hesitate to consult your trusted veterinarian, he can surely recommend the best place!
