Taking a cat on holiday
Discussion
So, we've just got a cat, a week ago today, and we're wondering how he'd cope with spending a few days away from home at my parents house with us over Xmas.
We live 150 miles from our home town, and having only recently moved we don't have too many people we could ask to look in on him whilst we're away for 4 days. Our guy sprayed when he first got to our house, but he settled pretty quick.
So has anyone any experience of taking their cat away for a few days?
Your thoughts?
We live 150 miles from our home town, and having only recently moved we don't have too many people we could ask to look in on him whilst we're away for 4 days. Our guy sprayed when he first got to our house, but he settled pretty quick.
So has anyone any experience of taking their cat away for a few days?
Your thoughts?
I used to sometimes take my cats to my Mum and Dads. They were mainly indoor cats though so it didn't seem to bother them at all, just gave them a new place to roam. I'd not be so sure if it was an outdoor cat mind you!
The most traumatic part of it for them was the car journey, they HATED that. I now have a petrolhead dog.
The most traumatic part of it for them was the car journey, they HATED that. I now have a petrolhead dog.
I once took Cat up to Sheffield, about 200 miles away, over Christmas for about 3 days.
Never again.
I set off after dark thinking that she would normally have been asleep on the sofa at that time. I think the street lights didn't help, almost a strobe effect when you think about it. She did settle down after about 2 hours, but the constant crying before that broke my heart - I felt so bad.
Plus she had to stay in for three days, luckily she knew how to use a tray, we'd never needed her to use one before.
I personally wouldn't do it again, but as per my other thread about the cat flap - she is a proper scaredy cat.
Good Luck.
Never again.
I set off after dark thinking that she would normally have been asleep on the sofa at that time. I think the street lights didn't help, almost a strobe effect when you think about it. She did settle down after about 2 hours, but the constant crying before that broke my heart - I felt so bad.
Plus she had to stay in for three days, luckily she knew how to use a tray, we'd never needed her to use one before.
I personally wouldn't do it again, but as per my other thread about the cat flap - she is a proper scaredy cat.
Good Luck.
First choice would be to have some one come round, we looked at getting a pet sitter in but they quoted £20 per visit (2visits a day) over the Xmas period.
He was pretty cool travelling in the car when we picked him up, but that was just a 10min journey. It think if we were to take a few breaks along the way for him to stretch his legs, and also to cover the travel cage so he's not freaked by the lights, that might help.
He's a very affectionate cat who enjoys our company, (he sits in the kitchen when we're making dinner etc) so the thought of leaving him on his own really puts me off leaving him.
He is an out doors cat but he's not currently allowed out as he's only recently come to live with us.
He was pretty cool travelling in the car when we picked him up, but that was just a 10min journey. It think if we were to take a few breaks along the way for him to stretch his legs, and also to cover the travel cage so he's not freaked by the lights, that might help.
He's a very affectionate cat who enjoys our company, (he sits in the kitchen when we're making dinner etc) so the thought of leaving him on his own really puts me off leaving him.
He is an out doors cat but he's not currently allowed out as he's only recently come to live with us.
I think you should shop around for your pet sitter. I charge £5 a visit within a 6 mile radius so £10/visit is a bit steep! Cattery will probably be in the region of £10-£15/day.
Though I think 150 mile trip shouldn't be too bad - just make sure if you stop for a break that the cat can't escape from the car!
Though I think 150 mile trip shouldn't be too bad - just make sure if you stop for a break that the cat can't escape from the car!
I wouldn't personally. With outdoor cats you've got a lot of potential for them to go missing in a new and unfamiliar environment and indoor cats could pee in the wrong place if its an unfamiliar environment (not to mention worrying about a family member absent mindedly leaving a window open or something).
One of those feeding timer things would mean that you don't have to have someone in every day. You could also use it as an opportunity to get to know the neighbours?
One of those feeding timer things would mean that you don't have to have someone in every day. You could also use it as an opportunity to get to know the neighbours?
Yeah, I've gotten to know our neighbour, but they're also away over Xmas. A cattery is £10 a day minimum 7days over Xmas and he hasn't been vaccinated yet.
I'd aim to ensure that he was confined to certain rooms at my parents and all the doors have a secondary external door which would add a little security for us if he chose to do a runner.
I'd aim to ensure that he was confined to certain rooms at my parents and all the doors have a secondary external door which would add a little security for us if he chose to do a runner.
Well having a rethink, if it's a kitten and you make sure everyone is briefed to be careful not to let it out and you're family are the type not to have a hissy fit if it has an 'accident' then taking it shouldn't be too bad. And being a kitten it probably won't throw a strop as an older cat might.
And a kitten on Christmas day will make for all kinds of ahhh moments.
And a kitten on Christmas day will make for all kinds of ahhh moments.
One of ours has to be medicated three times a day so she comes with us on trips. She travels fine and likes her time away from her pesky brothers with us all to herself.
Up to 2 hrs each way and generally she travels well. It just depends on this.
If you can keep them away from the driver then I know people who let the cats into the car as they travel better. Not sure about that.
Up to 2 hrs each way and generally she travels well. It just depends on this.
If you can keep them away from the driver then I know people who let the cats into the car as they travel better. Not sure about that.
DKL said:
One of ours has to be medicated three times a day so she comes with us on trips. She travels fine and likes her time away from her pesky brothers with us all to herself.
Up to 2 hrs each way and generally she travels well. It just depends on this.
If you can keep them away from the driver then I know people who let the cats into the car as they travel better. Not sure about that.
Yeah, we have a pet carrier, so we'd use that. We'd aim to stop a couple of times and let him out of the carrier (whilst in the car). Up to 2 hrs each way and generally she travels well. It just depends on this.
If you can keep them away from the driver then I know people who let the cats into the car as they travel better. Not sure about that.
He's two years old and litter trained so he should hopefully be ok.
My cat it a nightmare to get into the car just to pop to the vets a few minutes down the road, so never would I contemplate taking him further.
Cars like their houses and are resilient.
If you leave plenty of food and water down you only need to get someone to pop in to give the odd stroke and top ups once a day or two even.
Cars like their houses and are resilient.
If you leave plenty of food and water down you only need to get someone to pop in to give the odd stroke and top ups once a day or two even.
Our cat used to go the other half's parents. She was found on different visits under the quilt, and up the chimney (the latter took some finding).
On the drive up north when we moved she came out of her cage to sit on step-lads lap. Unfortunately as we got on the motorway, it stopped which involved some moderately heavy braking. Apparently the claws hurt....
On the drive up north when we moved she came out of her cage to sit on step-lads lap. Unfortunately as we got on the motorway, it stopped which involved some moderately heavy braking. Apparently the claws hurt....
ali_kat said:
Could your parents not come to you?
If not - get a large crate - a dog one for the cat & put his bed one end & a litter tray the other.
As for letting him out of the cat carrier, how confident are you of getting him back in?
We're going down to them because they're self employed and work right up to Xmas day.If not - get a large crate - a dog one for the cat & put his bed one end & a litter tray the other.
As for letting him out of the cat carrier, how confident are you of getting him back in?
I was thinking about a big crate or even a cat harness so he can sit on the seat without him running about in the car.
Ilikebeaver said:
My cat it a nightmare to get into the car just to pop to the vets a few minutes down the road, so never would I contemplate taking him further.
Cars like their houses and are resilient.
If you leave plenty of food and water down you only need to get someone to pop in to give the odd stroke and top ups once a day or two even.
Our two are housies and as long as they have food, water and a clean tray they're fine for ages. When we go away we have someone pop round every other day to replenish the food etc... and they're fine.Cars like their houses and are resilient.
If you leave plenty of food and water down you only need to get someone to pop in to give the odd stroke and top ups once a day or two even.
paps said:
We're going down to them because they're self employed and work right up to Xmas day.
I was thinking about a big crate or even a cat harness so he can sit on the seat without him running about in the car.
I see I was thinking about a big crate or even a cat harness so he can sit on the seat without him running about in the car.
Well in that case yes, cage or harness - whichever will distress him less
my cat prefers a seat rather than the cat box, she'll just lay down and get comfy. there is the issue of what would happen in the event of an accident but the cat box is hardly more secure.
just discovered i could have flown her back with me for xmas in the cabin for not much cash, but i don't have an EU pet passport. shame as it would mean my sister's annoying dog would be banned from visiting for the duration.
just discovered i could have flown her back with me for xmas in the cabin for not much cash, but i don't have an EU pet passport. shame as it would mean my sister's annoying dog would be banned from visiting for the duration.
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