If you’re one of those people that can’t go on holiday without one of the most important beings in their life — their dog or their cat — it’s a good thing you are reading this article. You can most definitely travel with your cat, but there are some things that you have to organize in advance, especially if you are leaving the country.
Let’s look at some things you need to make sure you take care of before you leave the house with your fluffy friend.
Vet check-ups
You probably love your cat enough to give her omega 3 for cats or probiotics regularly, but that’s not enough, and you know it. Your cat should have a vaccination plan that’s on par, and the truth is that for your cat to be entirely immune to diseases that can be transmitted to other animals or humans, you should take her to the vet at least 2 weeks before your departure.
Many vets can issue pet passports which need to contain details of your cat’s treatment that are up to date. If your cat needs to take treatment every day (for example, if your cat has diabetes), make sure that you get a prescription for the medication for the whole length of your trip.
There are cats that have histories of becoming anxious when they are confined. If that’s the case with yours, we urge you to talk to your vet and ask him or her to prescribe some sedatives. There are several to choose from, and there are also alternatives that don’t call for synthetic drugs to be used.
Planning your holiday with your cat
If your cat is not familiar with the outdoors, you should know that she needs to be kept indoors. Do you really want to take your feline friend with you if you’re likely to be out of the house for 8 to 10 hours every day? What would be the point of stressing your pet if he or she is going to be alone anyway?
Sure, if you’re visiting your parents for Christmas and you’re likely to spend a lot of time indoors or there will always be someone at home to watch over the cat, that’s something else. But if you are planning a trip to a strange country (and not a move), you might be better off with leaving your cat behind and hiring a pet sitter.
Whatever your case might be, the cat needs to have food, treats, water, a good supply of cat litter, as well as one or more litter boxes. Naturally, it’s always easier to travel by car than to have to go on a plane with your cat, and that’s because you will at least have the freedom to make a stop and clean your cat’s litter, deposit it into a plastic bag, and get the carrier cleaned.
What if you’re leaving your cat behind?
Leaving your cat behind is actually a good option. Dog parents don’t have that luxury as many dogs aren’t going to feel content with just having a food bowl, cozy napping spots, and a litter box. But cats are pretty self-sufficient, so all you need is a pet sitter. Besides, if your cat doesn’t even have any specific medical needs, you can just ask a neighbor, family member, or a friend to come feed them and clean their litter trays every day or every couple of days. You can also choose to take your cat to a cattery, but make sure you do as much reading about that place before you decide to do so — as much as you can.