Have you taken a cat on holiday ?

tanith

We have a much loved and elderly tortie cat and as we don't like to impose on relatives for more than a few days 3/4 at most to look after her when we go away we were wondering if it would be safe to take her with us... We usually stay in cottages for short breaks but would like to take her with us and have a proper fortnight, thus not having to call on rellies to come in twice a day to feed and let her in and out.. although they don't mind I feel longer than a few days is taking the Xee....
But would it be safe? I guess we would have to keep her confined inside and she is used to using a tray for her ablutions.. but my fear is she would get out and be lost and at 19 and arthritic I don't think she would cope.. so what do you think? Has anyone done this and how did it go? Is it worth the risk? I can't even remember when we went away for more than a few days as we have had cats for ever........thanks

edit: I wouldn't be happy putting her in a cattery by the way....

Fire_Fox

Many cats are more attached to the location than to the family, whereas dogs tend to be the opposite. You are risking stressing the cat out - how did she react last time you moved house? Have you thought about a house/ cat sitter?

scotsgirl_3

I would personally consider getting a cat sitter - we use one when we go away and come home to very happy cats, and don't have to worry about imposing on relatives.

thistledome

Don't want to scare you, but we took our Cat away with us to relatives one year and he escaped and we never saw him again. He was confined to a spare bedroom but slipped out the door like lightning. He was afraid of the dog that lived there.

It was horrible, we spent hours roaming the streets and calling him, I couldn't even call properly 'cos my throat was all swollen from crying (I was a kid at the time).

When I left my cats in later years I asked an elderly neighbour to pop in twice a day to feed and he was delighted to help. I brought him back a bottle of Whisky for his trouble and he felt useful. Win-win.

tanith

Thanks for your thoughts and really you have confirmed my own feelings which is why we have never done this before.. I would be so worried about her getting lost I guess its not worth the stress... I honestly don't think she would be stressed by it as she is pretty laid back about trips to the vet etc and when we last moved she was fine.. we don't have a generous neighbours maybe I should look at paying someone to come in , that way I won't feel I am imposing... thanks people

Raksha

When I was a kid we were let down at the last minute by the cattery, and Sam (black and white moggie) had to come with us (2 adults, 2 pre teen girls) and our 2 dogs. We bought him a small harness and he quickly got used to it when we tried it on at home and encouraged him to walk around with it using treats. Then attached a lightweight nylon cord to it and took him for walks in the garden.
We had a touring caravan and he came with us, secured with the line - I seem to remember he stayed in the caravan or awning most of the time, but was happy to come for a walk with the dogs, which is what he usually did at home anyway.

We did have a minor panic when he bolted up a very tall tree once, but because of the line attached to the collar, we were able to stop him going to far and get him down again.

It can work.

ERICS_MUM

tanith wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts and really you have confirmed my own feelings which is why we have never done this before.. I would be so worried about her getting lost I guess its not worth the stress... I honestly don't think she would be stressed by it as she is pretty laid back about trips to the vet etc and when we last moved she was fine.. we don't have a generous neighbours maybe I should look at paying someone to come in , that way I won't feel I am imposing... thanks people

If you live in or near Chelmsford Essex I might be able to help you out by cat-sitting.

Linda :beer:

tanith

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

If you live in or near Chelmsford Essex I might be able to help you out by cat-sitting.

Linda :beer:

Thanks Linda but I am in London..I'm Linda too funnily enough:A I used to pay my niece when she was a teen but I don't think a tenner will impress now she is 20 :rotfl:

paddypaws101

Good advice above.
Try looking into professional pet sitters such as Animal Aunties (££ ) or ask in vet surgeries if there is a local pet sitting service they can recommend. I live in East London and there are a couple around here.
I have also used www.housecarers.com with great success several times and have had some lovely housesitters. You register for free, post a wanted ad with dates etc and then sit back and see who gets in touch. The last lady I used was a 55 year old Australian, kids flown nest, doing a European tour for 18 months and filling gaps by agency care working. So...she had refs from the agency which was easy to check, but as soon as I met her I knew she was genuine. She loved having a home to stay in between travel and jobs rather than a hostel, and I loved knowing house and cats were being cared for. This service is a mutual swop and no money changes hands.
I have previously also had a middle aged American couple stay for a month, retired, they have a daughter and grandchild living in Essex who they love to visit....but do not like to crowd out her house!

Ms_Chocaholic

On sorting through some paperwork today, I came across a leaflet from a local company who offer to come to your home once per day to feed your cat/dog, for one week it cost £8 which I thought was quite reasonable

We are not near London tho but I'm sure there must be similar services down there

rita-rabbit

Years ago we took Lucy on holiday - but it was only for one week. She didn't like the car journey but she did like being with the family. Note: us kids were little so we spent our evenings in the chalet (parents not big ones for dinners out & nightlife anyways).

On other ocassions we got relatives to come & stay in our house instead. They didn't mind as parents did alot of favours for those relatives & family quite close.

Since becoming a lone pet owner I take my two to stay at parents house if it's over a week. On ocassion I have had friends come & do the feed/litter thing - but I think it works well because I have two cats.

Contact your vet & ask about reputable sitters or if one of the nurses would consider doing this for you for a small fee.....