Taking your cat on vacation: when to do it or leave it at home

Traveling is a way to learn about new traditions or simply disconnect from the daily routine. Summer is the time to organize vacations, this does not mean that it is necessary to relegate travel only to these months. Any time of the year is the right opportunity to carve out some time for yourself, whether it is a few days or a few weeks.

Vacations are increasingly a way to share the experience with loved ones, and pets are among them. In fact, not only dogs are the ideal companions for a weekend away from home, but also cats. As with having a pet, its health must come first: before deciding to take Kitty on vacation, it is a good idea to consider its habits and character so as to avoid excessive stress and find alternative solutions.

How to organize a vacation with Kitty

If you have a cat that is used to traveling and has accompanied you since it was a kitten, then organizing a vacation with him will not be a big problem. In fact, he will certainly be used to traveling and finding himself in a new environment will not be traumatic for him. Having established this, you must choose carefully where to go, for example places with high temperatures and mugginess could put a strain on the feline. In general, during travel, always bring fresh water with you to make him drink, then if you go to seaside locations, be careful of heat stroke.

Make sure your furry friend rests in a shaded and ventilated place and pat him dry with a damp cloth every now and then. If you are undecided about the destination, the mountains are the ideal place all year round: in summer the cool climate gives your furry friend a bit of relief, while in winter you don't have to worry because cats don't fear cold temperatures, but in general keep him sheltered and safe from drafts.

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Once you have decided on the location, it is time to organize the trips and you must do it in maximum safety. The carrier is the solution to adopt, especially if you travel by train, plane or car. If the cat travels rarely, to get him used to it, start with short trips and put a toy or a blanket inside the carrier that has "absorbed" the smell of your home to calm him down. If instead you notice that he suffers during the trips, contact your vet who will give you advice on how to behave and perhaps some medicines to calm down Kitty.

For a long vacation and an overnight stay in a pet-friendly house or hotel that the feline has never been to, you will need a few days to explore and get to know it before letting it gain trust and have the freedom to move around. If the vacation is short and the place you are going to is new, then it is better not to take the feline with you because it takes a long time to get used to it.

How and when to leave your cat at home

Every cat is different and there are some that are not able to travel by nature. This does not mean that you should give up on vacations, you just need to choose an alternative solution. The simplest is to leave him at home and ask friends and relatives that the feline already knows to come and check on him, spend time with him and give him food and water.

If you don't have trusted people to turn to, then there are two alternatives: contact a cat sitter or find a cattery. In the first case, the person will have the task of going a couple of times a day to feed him, but also to play with him.

If you opt for a cattery, before bringing your furry friend, inspect the facility, make sure the hygienic conditions are good, and that there is enough space. This way, your feline will be able to move and play in peace, without forgetting the need for staff ready to take care of him. Finally, for this option, you must give the managers the health booklet and a toy from home that will make your furry friend feel safer.

Original article on Today.it