What to do when going on vacation ??

We are relatively new cat owners. When we go on vacation for a week or so, should we board the cats at the vet or have someone come by each day to feed them etc. Are they OK with being by themselves for most of the day for a week?

Cats don't like change and get freaked out pretty easily unless you have extremely laid-back cats.

The best thing IMO for your kitties is to leave them in their own home where they are comfortable. Have someone you trust come in at least once per day to feed, scoop litter, and interact with your pets. If you have a relative or a neighbour you trust that also has pets, offer to look after their pets if they go away in exchange for them looking after yours. I looked after my neighbours 2 cats when they went away for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I used to do the feeding and litter, then just lay on the chesterfield snuggling with their Burmese. He loved the attention and I loved him.

Boarding cats does not go so well. Alot of us have had some bad experiances. We don't come back to well adjusted cats...and we can never know what they really went through. They usually smell funny too.

I have a cat sitter. She comes twice a day (it is my preference, some people do once) I get a detailed report on them (she has actual FORMS) and more often than not I am on a cruise so I ask her to leave me a message on my voice mail (cell) to tell me how they are. She also leaves a report of how they ate and if they did their business and their overall well being. She plays with them too. She is insured and has "back up" if something were to happen and she couldn't get to them. She also has a disaster plan, she will make sure her "charges" are with her and evacuated if they need to be. Anything could happen while you are away and they should be checked on everyday. If you can get family or neighbor great! But make sure you can trust them to take care of them properly. Some people just aren't into taking care of others animals.

I can't tell you how much the peace of mind helps and I come back to my cats happy and not acting like they have been starved for attention. They kinda look at me like "Hey, you were gone?" I just add the money into my vacation fund and don't think twice about it. It completely worth it. Plus, she take in my mail and waters my plants.

What helped me to decide what to do with my cats when Im on vaccation was this, if I was say Amadeus and my human was going on holiday how would I like to go to an enclosed space (some where I am unfamiliar with) and living next to other cats (who I've never met before) for a whole week? It wouldn't smell familiar for a start that would make me feel really uncomfortable and scared. Then maybe they'd feed me some strange food I've never tried before. Then my human the person who loves and cares for me wouldn't be there she would have disappeared thats very scary too! Also I'd be very a lone and I might even get split up from my sister Symphony and my friend Nefertiti . Oh and what would I do all day? I think it would be a bit dull, I wouldn't get to climb the ironing board for a start and my favourite bed wouldn't be there.
I don't want to sound completely anti catterys (tho in a way I guess I am) we used to take our three cats to a cattery when we went on holiday in my childhood and the cats seemed indifferent. They came back clean, healthy and over all well cared for but, I have heard too many sad stories from people who have lost cats when sending them to a cattery.
I really think Pet Sitters (if you don't have a friend or family close by) are the way to go! Also the cost of a pet sitter isn't much more than a cattery infact if you have 3 cats (like I do) its actually cheaper. For example here in Leeds England I can get a pet sitter for £11.50 a night it would cost me £17 a night to board my three cats.
If you do decide on boarding check out the place before you go and if you decide on pet sitting make sure you go to a trusted police checked company.
Hope that helps !! Welcome to the crazy and wonderful world of cat ownership!! Heres to the rest of your life being under the velvet paw

Our neighbors kids came over and watched the cats with the approval of their parents of course. This only really works if you have neighbors with kids that you trust. We'd give them 10dollars per day to make sure the furkid had fresh food, water, and pets if she wanted. Our cats have always been a little shy around strangers.

With Aya I drop her off at a friend's place down the street (another American teacher). She likes critters and is good with them, and for Aya who is way too shy with strangers. Also, her boyfiend loves cats but is unable to have them in military housing.

Aya growled the first night from under the bed but came out and quickly made friends with her and her pet ferrets. When I got back I think she missed all the action over at my friend's place.

I have someone watch kitty kitty in my home.

When we go on vacation for a week, we board our cats. They love the place that they go to. The woman does it out of her own home, and has cat "condos" for them to stay in. They are very large cages with multiple levels, and room for their food, litterbox, their own blankets, etc. Kairi loves going up to the very top and laying on her blanket. They are also large enough the girls can stay in one cage together. Being with each other all day, I don't know how they would feel being seperated. They get time out of the cage, with each other but not other cats. There are so many toys and cat trees that they can play with. She also has a deck fully enclosed so cats can go out and lounge on the deck. The girls love it there. We only use her if we're going away for more than 3 days. Friday-Sunday we leave them alone, with plenty of food and water, and they are perfectly fine.

I'm the type of person who won't use a pet sitter. I don't care how bonded, insured, etc. they are, I don't want a stranger who I just met, coming into my house. I have way too much stuff in there that could be easily taken. We also don't know or trust anyone in the area to watch them. We have 2 friends, and we have given up on them, because she makes an excuse for not being able to feed them. It's not like we were asking for much. There are also no family close by to do it either. So for us, boarding them is the best option. You just have to find one you trust. We visited ours first, to make sure they were good, and tried them the first time and we loved how she cared for them.

When we go away we keep our cats at home. I think it would be very stressful for them to be taken from their home. We have my boyfriends Mom come over once a day (I am lucky she is so wonderful since she usually ends up coming twice a day) she fills the water bowls, food bowls, cleans the litter if we are gone for more then three days and cuddles them until they are done with her. It works out well for us.

Originally Posted by yam102284

I'm the type of person who won't use a pet sitter. I don't care how bonded, insured, etc. they are, I don't want a stranger who I just met, coming into my house. I have way too much stuff in there that could be easily taken. We also don't know or trust anyone in the area to watch them. We have 2 friends, and we have given up on them, because she makes an excuse for not being able to feed them. It's not like we were asking for much. There are also no family close by to do it either. So for us, boarding them is the best option. You just have to find one you trust. We visited ours first, to make sure they were good, and tried them the first time and we loved how she cared for them.

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I had to laugh because my most precious things in life are my cats. I seriously have no other worldy goods...they can have my 19 inch tv from the 1990's.

I totally agree about "friends" or neighbors. I just don't trust them to be consistent. They would probably miss a feeding and not give a hoot. I met with my sitter and got references and I know where she lives. So I feel pretty secure. Only other option for me would be my family but even then only one of my sisters would I trust with my 'kids', she loves them too as we got them together when we lived together. But she lives to far away also.

I like the idea of an at home boarding. You can really see what kind of conditions they are going to be in and now that someone will be there at all times. Its good to have options. I haven't seen or heard of any situations like this in my area. Hmmmm.....maybe I should?

Originally Posted by fifi1puss

I had to laugh because my most precious things in life are my cats. I seriously have no other worldy goods...they can have my 19 inch tv from the 1990's.

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Um, thanks, but, my cats are the most precious things in my life. But I don't want to choose a cat sitter, and come home and have my 42" plasma or laptop stolen from my house. Sorry, I just don't trust people. That's just my nature.

Originally Posted by fifi1puss

I totally agree about "friends" or neighbors. I just don't trust them to be consistent. They would probably miss a feeding and not give a hoot.

I met with my sitter and got references and I know where she lives.

So I feel pretty secure. Only other option for me would be my family but even then only one of my sisters would I trust with my 'kids', she loves them too as we got them together when we lived together. But she lives to far away also.

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We have a friend and her husband who used to do it. They did it twice for us, and were very good. So we figured we'd have them do it. We had to be gone for 4 days, to a funeral, about 2 months ago, so we asked them. She gave me the excuse that she thought they were going to be visiting his parents. Okay, his parents live about 20 min away, they wouldn't be there all weekend. And they live literally two minutes away. Another time, her husband was having out patient surgery on Thursday and she couldn't come feed the cats, only once, on Saturday. So we gave up on them. Our nearest family is 1.5 hours away in Vermont. And no other friends in this area. So we have no other options.

Originally Posted by fifi1puss

I like the idea of an at home boarding. You can really see what kind of conditions they are going to be in and now that someone will be there at all times. Its good to have options. I haven't seen or heard of any situations like this in my area. Hmmmm.....maybe I should?

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Exactly. That's why we like this place. She or her husband are there all the time, and they're not locked up in these little cages all day. The condos are actually really nice and spacious. The woman used to be a vet tech (I think)and has training and certification in case something were to happen. If you would like, I can send the pics or the link and you can just see what I'm talking about.

I just noticed you are in NH! I used to live in Raymond. I am now in MA. NH can be pretty rural depending on where you are so it's great you found a place.

I hope you took no offence to my saying my cats are my most important things in my house. I know they would be for you too. I just was laughing at the thought of someone taking anything of worth out of my place. If i can trust them with my cats I can trust them with my crappy free tv I got.

I know alot of people have electronics and other valuables and its true you don't want someone caseing the place. I understand about not trusting people. It sounds like she just didn't want to do it anymore and instead of telling you she flaked. Doesn't help with the trust issue does it.

I would love to see a link! Especially that I live so close and never know when I may need to refer someone to them.

I'm in the same predicament. My parents are coming over from Oz and they want to do a 10 day road trip, and while I'm excited to see them; I'm terribly worried about leaving Libby alone. We don't have any family or friends that we can ask to look after her, so I've started contacting pet sitters. I will still feel bad for leaving her alone though.

We have someone come over at least once a day and take care of the cats

I always used sitters for my first cat because she hated people and was fine on her own. When she was elderly, however, I found someone to stay in my house to care for her while I was gone.

NOW I have Mr. Super-Social cat who just loves everyone and needs a lot of human contact. I thought he might benefit from a local "pet spa" where I could pay for people to interact with him several times a day, he'd have his own room (no cage), etc. It was a disaster. I now don't believe in boarding for ANY cat unless it's an emergency.

So now I have someone live in the house with him when I travel. It's the daughter of a neighbor (young professional) who was living at home, but she just married. I told her that I'd have to look for another sitter (she moved 20 miles away), but she said she'd love to sit with him anytime because he's such a loving cat! I also have a teen in the neighborhood who is too young to take complete care of him, but when I'm away, she will come over to play with him and give him the affection he always wants. I feel good that it takes TWO sitters to replace me:-)

I am having the same problem. We are going out of state to visit my parents in July and we are also first time cat owners. Our friends and neighbors have dogs and no way will I leave my kitty with them. One lady is too old to walk here everyday and the ones on the other side are just too busy. I honestly cannot depend on my uncle and his grown kids. Sorry to be loaded with undependable people.

PetSmart has a hotel and I hope they do good.

I cannot take the kitty to my parents since they have a very strict rule of no pets in their house thus my reason being a first time cat owner.

I have done pet sitting ( no fancy stuff as it is mostly a favor to friends ) since I was about 9 yrs old . For an ave of 15$ a night , I will stay over night if needed or make at least two trips ave 60-120 minutes ... If a dog up to two walks a day if cats at least one scooping and two play or cuddle sessions ...

I have had HORRIFIC at home experiences with friends who were not normal pet sitters but boarding to me is far scarier and not time convenient ( ie I would spend an extra 50 -100$ as the boarding places here are not open for pick up sat and Sunday. Evan the bad home times were better for my kids who were cared for ( the house was not )

Thank you for this thread!!! I was debating about the same thing myself. We will be going to Brazil in November for 11 days and I was thinking about what to do. The sad thing is my in-laws leave accross the street and my FIL does not care for animals and will not take care of Halo while we are gone. Well, one of the girls that work with me will likely cat sit
I proposed to her and she loved the idea. She will come everyday feed, play, and clean his litter box. Plus send me reports
My mother in law, who is the nice one of the in-laws might come over and play with him a lil bit.
I just rather do this than boarding. We are lucky we have the option.

I have been reading all the posts about going on vacation and leaving cats at home.  I would prefer to do so instead of boarding them, I also noticed that you said that cats get freaked out easily.  I'm afraid that if I leave them at home with the neighbor to come in once a day, that they would freak out and get totally stressed no knowing if I'm ever coming back.  I know this is a little over the top, but it is a concern of mine.  Maybe they won't eat while I'm gone and they will get sick?  I'm not sure what to do.  

Thanks for the info.

Karen

I just got back a little over a week ago from an 8 day vacation. I had 2 of my friends take turns checking on my cats. Someone was checking on them every day. My friends also know each other and are fine communicating with each other if changes needed to be made to the schedule. One of my friends works full-time and also cares for her elderly mother. My other friend runs a business from home and can set his own hours. I used 2 people in case there were any emergencies with my friend's mother. I was on a cruise and would have been hard to reach. Both of my friends also had my family's phone number as an emergency contact. My parents are both retired but they live 45 minutes away and my friends are local. My parent's agreed to take financial responsibility if anyone needed vet care. One of my friends would have just taken care of any vet issues on her own and let me know about them. She actually insisted on paying for vet treatment when one of my cat's got a UTI and my funds were tight until payday later in the week. She would not let me pay her back: