My boy (5 yrs old) has been with me for 2 years (shelter adopted), and he's very, very human bonded. He is also a very 'laid back' cat who seems to like new experiences.
When I travel (infrequently), I have a sitter who sleeps in my house, but she's not available for the holidays, so I'm planning to bring him with me to my sister's house for a couple of days for Christmas. This was my sister's request because she hates the fact that I don't stay overnight because of the cat. I'm apprehensive about taking him out of his 'territory,' and I want to list my preparations, so you can advise me if you think I've forgotten anything.
1. When I visited for Thanksgiving, I brought his second litter pan and a box of litter so they can have it set up when we arrive (drive is 90 min. to 2 hrs., depending on traffic). I also brought two Feliway plug-ins to be activated 48 hrs before we arrive. My sister's main living area is 'open plan,' so I think the 2 Feliways will serve the area we'll be in most of the time.
2. I bought a new scratching pad for him (although we have a lot of posts, he likes those corrugated cardboard ones, too.) I plan to introduce it to him HERE a few days before we leave and then pack it for the trip.
3. I bought Rescue Remedy to give him the morning we leave to help with the car ride. I've tested it with him, and he will eat his food when I add it, and it seems to calm him a little (I think). I have the largest size VariKennel, so he should be comfortable.
4. I will pack his food, dishes and bowls, and a jug of water (he drinks from a fountain at home but will drink from a regular bowl, too). But my sister's tap water has a different taste, and I've read that it's best not to offer strange water right away. We'll only be there 2 days, so I'll probably just use my water.
5. In addition to the scratching pad, I'm packing his favorite bed, and the mat he loves to sleep on (on my desk), as well as the toys he gets from Santa on Christmas Eve (if he likes them), and the laser mouse that he loves.
6. He knows my sister and niece (they visit here), and they are the only people who will be with us. No groups or strangers around. We plan to have a very sedate holiday. He doesn't know the house, but he seems to be very adaptable. When I brought him home from the shelter, he explored the entire house immediately and made himself 'at home.'
7. My plan for Christmas morning- He likes to get up and eat at about 3 am. I plan to exercise him then because that's our custom--he will run after the laser mouse for a while. I plan to leave about 7 am, and he's usually ready for more food about then, so that's when I'll give him the Rescue Remedy (about 15 min. before we leave).
Any suggestions? Have I overlooked anything?
When I travel (infrequently), I have a sitter who sleeps in my house, but she's not available for the holidays, so I'm planning to bring him with me to my sister's house for a couple of days for Christmas. This was my sister's request because she hates the fact that I don't stay overnight because of the cat. I'm apprehensive about taking him out of his 'territory,' and I want to list my preparations, so you can advise me if you think I've forgotten anything.
1. When I visited for Thanksgiving, I brought his second litter pan and a box of litter so they can have it set up when we arrive (drive is 90 min. to 2 hrs., depending on traffic). I also brought two Feliway plug-ins to be activated 48 hrs before we arrive. My sister's main living area is 'open plan,' so I think the 2 Feliways will serve the area we'll be in most of the time.
2. I bought a new scratching pad for him (although we have a lot of posts, he likes those corrugated cardboard ones, too.) I plan to introduce it to him HERE a few days before we leave and then pack it for the trip.
3. I bought Rescue Remedy to give him the morning we leave to help with the car ride. I've tested it with him, and he will eat his food when I add it, and it seems to calm him a little (I think). I have the largest size VariKennel, so he should be comfortable.
4. I will pack his food, dishes and bowls, and a jug of water (he drinks from a fountain at home but will drink from a regular bowl, too). But my sister's tap water has a different taste, and I've read that it's best not to offer strange water right away. We'll only be there 2 days, so I'll probably just use my water.
5. In addition to the scratching pad, I'm packing his favorite bed, and the mat he loves to sleep on (on my desk), as well as the toys he gets from Santa on Christmas Eve (if he likes them), and the laser mouse that he loves.
6. He knows my sister and niece (they visit here), and they are the only people who will be with us. No groups or strangers around. We plan to have a very sedate holiday. He doesn't know the house, but he seems to be very adaptable. When I brought him home from the shelter, he explored the entire house immediately and made himself 'at home.'
7. My plan for Christmas morning- He likes to get up and eat at about 3 am. I plan to exercise him then because that's our custom--he will run after the laser mouse for a while. I plan to leave about 7 am, and he's usually ready for more food about then, so that's when I'll give him the Rescue Remedy (about 15 min. before we leave).
Any suggestions? Have I overlooked anything?
