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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shortfuse - 19 Jul 2005 16:19 GMT

My neice moved from FL to CA by car with her cat in tow. If you have some
familiar surroundings at the cottage, I think they would adjust, but my own
personal opinion would not to let them go outside where they are im
unfamiliar territory. I know about leaving cats behind...my husband and I
were in NY last year for 6 weeks on a medical emergency, my sister took care
of the "kids" but it nearly "killed" my husband and I to be away from them
for so long! I vowed never to be gone for more than 1 week w/o them!

>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.

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~*LiveLoveLaugh*~ - 19 Jul 2005 18:22 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.

Do yourself and your cats a favor and starting interviewing for pet sitters
now.

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Diana - 19 Jul 2005 19:15 GMT

~*LiveLoveLaugh*~ at Nobody@myjunkaddy.com wrote on7/19/05 1:22 PM:

>> 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 - 16 lines]
> Do yourself and your cats a favor and starting interviewing for pet sitters
> now.

I heartily second LLL's motion! Moving with cats is one thing, taking them
on holiday is another. The trip would be hard on them and on you, but if
the relocation were permanent, they would have eventually adjust to the new
surroundings and be O.K. But for a week? Then have to turn around and make
the trip again? No, thank you! Cats are very attached to their own
familiar territory. Get someone reputable to come in daily and see to their
needs at home. They'll have each other for company, and they'll be fine.
Oh, and have a happy Christmas holiday!

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shortfuse - 19 Jul 2005 19:25 GMT

Your responses were very good! In our town we have a service called "Home
Alone" where someone comes in twice a day to check on your pets. This is
what I plan to do the next time we have to go out of town.

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Chris - 20 Jul 2005 03:36 GMT

I've flown with cats (in cabin with me) & have taken them on long rides when
I've gone away.... They managed quite well & got acclimated to new
surroundings pretty well.... Just watch they don't get out at vacation
place... Look at it this way, they'll be 'mad' at you either way--at least,
if they are with you, you can make it up to them! I say take them along,
bring some of their toys, any towels they sleep on, their dishes, etc. &
they;ll be fine. Pet sitters are an option but you have to be really sure
about them, particularly if you have indoor-outdoor cats...

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