Vacation with a cat

Cats are creatures of habit. That's why most of them don't particularly like going on vacation. Consider what is better for your cat and be well prepared for the situation.

Should I take my cat on vacation with me?

If you were to take a poll of cats, most would probably say "no thanks". For many cats, going on vacation and being in an unfamiliar environment is stressful. First of all, they have to be put into a (usually unloved) transport box on the journey and are exposed to unfamiliar noises. At the vacation destination, they will probably have to give up the freedom to roam and cope with an unfamiliar environment.

This is different for dogs: they want to be with you everywhere and are willing to accept a longer journey to get there. This is less often the case with cats. But of course there are exceptions. Some cats are very affectionate and may not feel comfortable in a kennel. If no caregiver is available as a vacation sitter and the cat is adventurous, it is best to start with a short vacation over the weekend and see how the cat likes it. Perhaps it is one of the few that likes to go on vacation with you.

Vacation with your cat

If you want to take your cat on vacation with you, the first question is where to go. The further away it is, the more likely it is that you will travel by plane. Most airlines allow you to take a cat into the cabin in a transport box (which must be closed for the entire flight). However, you must clarify this with the airline and make a reservation in good time. It is not advisable to transport your cat in the baggage hold of the aircraft! The stress would clearly be too high. However, calm cats can spend a few hours on the plane if they are placed under the seat in front.

The situation is similar when traveling by train. In an emergency, you would also have the option of interrupting the journey in between. The best option is usually to travel by car or motorhome. Here you are free to decide how many stops you want to make.

Checklist: What do I need for a vacation with a cat?

1. No matter how you plan to travel, your cat should always be transported in a crate. Here it cannot accidentally escape and has its own realm, which can be equipped with its favorite blanket and toys.
2. When traveling abroad, you will need an EU pet passport, which must be presented at the border. At least one vaccination against rabies is normally required. However, there may be further requirements depending on the country you are traveling to.
3. Find out in advance whether your planned accommodation allows you to take one or more cats with you.
4. You should take your cat's usual litter tray, litter, bowls and food with you to ensure that it settles in well to its new surroundings.
5. If your cat is very people-oriented and you can imagine supervised free running on vacation, a special cat harness with a lead is recommended. You should have already trained your cat to use it at home.
   
   

Short vacation without a cat

You don't usually have to worry about cats on a weekend trip. However, this short trip should be well prepared: Above all, this includes ensuring that the litter tray has been freshly cleaned. If the cat is very sensitive, an additional litter tray should be available. Sufficient bowls filled with water and enough to eat are also important. Ideally, you should ask your neighbors, family members or good friends if they could look after the cat.

Vacation care for a cat left at home

Whether you need vacation care for your cat depends primarily on the length of your vacation. It is recommended from the 2nd day at the latest. You could also bridge a longer period of absence with an automatic feeder. However, cats need a lot more: fresh water every day, a litter tray that is always cleaned and a relationship with a familiar person. It is therefore best if cat care is provided by someone you know. With good cat care, you create the best conditions for a carefree, relaxed vacation.

Unfortunately, the person of your choice is not always available during your vacation. In this case, you can consider having a cat sitter come by regularly. Perhaps there is a recommendation from a friend or you can find a cat sitter in your area on the Internet. It is important that you get to know the cat sitter personally beforehand and that you are well informed about your cat and its habits.

Placing the cat in a cat boarding facility

If you can't take your cat on vacation or care for it at home, the only option may be to place it in a cat boarding facility. Some find this exciting and have no problem with it, others feel very uncomfortable in a strange environment without their caregivers. Before you take this risk for a 14-day vacation, it is better to test it out over a weekend first. Ask your vet or other cat owners in your area for personal recommendations. If this is unsuccessful, you will certainly find what you are looking for on the Internet. Call them and make a personal appointment (without a cat) to get an idea. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. How trustworthy and experienced are the owners of the boarding kennel? Do they have the required certificate of competence?
2. Are the facilities and rooms clean?
3. Are worming, health prophylaxis and liability insurance required or does the boarding kennel operator not care?
4. How many caretakers are responsible for how many cats? There should be no more than 15 cats per person.
5. Is veterinary care guaranteed?
6. How many cats are housed together per room?
7. Is an outdoor enclosure available? And is it possible to keep the cats alone in case of problems?

If your questions can be answered to your complete satisfaction, the next question is how much a cat boarding facility costs per day. There are significant differences here, but on average you can expect to pay between ten and twenty euros per day. This is cheaper than a personal cat sitter, who costs between twenty and forty euros per day. However, the cost should only play a subordinate role. The decisive factor is what is best for your cat(s) during the vacation period.