While cats usually get along fine if they are left to their own devices for a short period of time, it probably isn't a good idea to leave your cat home alone while you take a lengthy vacation. Not only will scheduling care for your cat during your vacation give you peace of mind, but it will keep your furry feline friend happy while you're gone. Check out these tips to learn how to make sure your cat stays happy, safe, and healthy while you're gone.
Think About Your Cat's Needs
Some cats are really independent, and others tend to be needy. If your cat requires constant or regular attention to be happy, you should consider hiring live-in pet sitter, finding a friend or family member to keep your cat at their home, or taking your cat to a local cat boarding service while you're away. If you opt to take your cat to a boarding facility, make sure you take the time to tour the facility first. Cats often have a hard time adjusting to changes, and you want to make sure the environment fits your cat's specific needs. If your cat is the independent type, have a friend, neighbor, or family member stop by your house to feed the cat and change the litter while you're gone. Remember, even if your cat is fairly independent, he or she probably isn't left alone often so you should choose a person that will spend a little bit of time at your house giving your cat attention.
Give Your Cat a Scent Reminder
New smells or lack of specific scents can trigger anxiety for your cat, so consider leaving your cat one or two of your T-shirts close by. If you're leaving your cat at home, place a T-shirt near your cat's bed. If you're taking your cat to a cat boarding facility or someone's house, pack a T-shirt in with his or her things. This way, your scent is still around to comfort your cat while you're gone.
Preparing Your House
If you're leaving your cat at home, you should leave a light or two on for your cat. Also, you might want to consider leaving the blinds open so that your cat can see outside during the day. Some cats like background noise, so consider turning on the radio or TV at low volume. Also, make sure all of your cat's necessities are in an easy-to-access spot for your pet sitter.
Whether you get around-the-clock pet care, use a cat boarding service, or simply have someone check on your furry friend each day is completely up to you. However, if you have a needy cat, your cat will probably be happier with around-the-clock care or staying at a boarding facility with other cats.
