Taking Cats Away on Holiday

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j.p - 19 Jul 2005 15:19 GMT

I have two mature (8-10 years old) house trained female cats. They were
rescue cats and i have had them for nearly four years. They have settled
down ok and go out into the garden at night etc and always come back.
I want to go away for a week at christmas this year to a rented cottage
and do not know what to do with the cats.
I would like to take them with me but i am worried about how the stress
will effect them. It would be about a 5 hour car journey in their travel
boxes and then they would be in a strange house for a week. I would take
their beds with them and a litter tray so i wouldn't have to let them out.
Does anyone think this would have any long term effect on them? will the
stress of the journey effect their heart? will they be disorientated
when they come back and might they get lost if i let them out as usual
when i get back. I really want to get away and would really like to take
them along but i couldn't stand it if i thought that something i had
done had caused them any harm.
Any advice, ideas experiences or suggestions would be very gratefully
received.

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Barrnabas Collins - 19 Jul 2005 17:06 GMT

>I have two mature (8-10 years old) house trained female cats. They were
>rescue cats and i have had them for nearly four years. They have settled
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>Any advice, ideas experiences or suggestions would be very gratefully
>received.

What I do when I go away is have a cat sitter come in and take care
of the cat. I know her, she worked for my vet for about 10 years.

She feeds the cat, cleans the litter box, brings in the mail,
turns on some lights, turns off other lights, plays with the
cats, gives them any medication they need, etc.

I look at as insurance to make sure my cats are OK,
the house is fine, and no problems occur.

She has my cell phone # if something goes wrong.

Around here a family went on vacation and a group
of kids had a big party and the family came home
to find their home trashed, alot of stuff stolen
and their dogs, cats, and birds were dead.

The cheif of pollice's son ended up being arrested.

A word of caution though: ask about medication
that your cat needs. I tried finding places to that
would look after the cats for a short period of
time. One of them wanted to find out from the vet
if the cat could go without it for a week. (It was for
his heart, I said no and looked elsewhere.)

------------------------------------------

http://www.barnabascollins.blogspot.com

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M.C. Mullen - 19 Jul 2005 19:49 GMT

: What I do when I go away is have a cat sitter come in and take care
: of the cat. I know her, she worked for my vet for about 10 years.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
: if the cat could go without it for a week. (It was for
: his heart, I said no and looked elsewhere.)

Well done! (At least he asked the vet ...)
I would go for a cat sitter too. But then we have a well functioning
neighbourhood.
I have been looking after guinea pigs for years. This year it's two rabbits
for two weeks plus another household with two horses, two dogs and about
four cats for a weekend. That's the way it should be really, isn't it?

Carola

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M.C. Mullen - 19 Jul 2005 19:43 GMT

:I have two mature (8-10 years old) house trained female cats. They were
: rescue cats and i have had them for nearly four years. They have settled
: down ok and go out into the garden at night etc and always come back.
: I want to go away for a week at christmas this year to a rented cottage
: and do not know what to do with the cats.

You could
a) leave them in a cattery
b) get a cat sitter at your home
c) take them with you

: I would like to take them with me but i am worried about how the stress
: will effect them. It would be about a 5 hour car journey in their travel
: boxes and then they would be in a strange house for a week.

It's manageable. If they don't travel well then the vet can give you a mild
sedative. Don't feed them beforehand.
And at the cottage by all means(!!): Don't let them outside.

: I would take
: their beds with them and a litter tray so i wouldn't have to let them out.
: Does anyone think this would have any long term effect on them?

No.

: will the
: stress of the journey effect their heart?

No, unless you drive like a gangster - LOL

: will they be disorientated
: when they come back and might they get lost if i let them out as usual
: when i get back.

No!

: I really want to get away and would really like to take
: them along but i couldn't stand it if i thought that something i had
: done had caused them any harm.
: Any advice, ideas experiences or suggestions would be very gratefully
: received.

I wish you a happy holiday!

Carola

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Barrnabas Collins - 20 Jul 2005 17:53 GMT

>: will the
>: stress of the journey effect their heart?
>
>No, unless you drive like a gangster - LOL

Depends on the cat. I've had cats that get very
stressed when they travel in the car. Some cats
"tolerate" travel in the car, some get very
stressed.

------------------------------------------

http://www.barnabascollins.blogspot.com

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