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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Can cats go on holiday?

13 replies

AngelCauliflower · 17/12/2014 10:33

Hi, I am thinking of booking a four day break at a cottage next year. The cottage is one hour away from where I live. Would it be ok for me to take my indoor cat with me? It would be me, ds and our cat.

Ds has autism and likes to spend plenty of time in the cottage and we eat all our meals there so our cat would not be alone for long periods of time. She is a rescue cat we have had for two months. I am thinking of booking the trip for next summer. Ds doesn't really like holidays but he does like this particular cottage.

I would appreciate any advice you could give me about taking our cat with us. Thank you.

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thecatneuterer · 17/12/2014 10:43

I wouldn't risk it. If someone accidentally leaves a door or window open, and she escapes, then you will never get her back. If the cottage has a spare room however, where you can confine her for most of the time, and only let her out when you are absolutely everything is secure, then it might be worth the risk. Otherwise I wouldn't.

Cats are generally happier in the place they know anyway. So if you can get a neighbour to feed her that would be ideal.

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cozietoesie · 17/12/2014 11:57

I think it depends very much on the cat.

I've always taken my Siamese boys on UK holidays - generally to booked cottages but once (Twoago) on a touring holiday staying in hotels - but they've all been ferociously bonded to me to the extent that 'Where Mummy is, that's my home' - and they likely wouldn't have eaten if I was long away from them anyways.

That's Siamese though and for only four days, you might find it more relaxing to leave her at home with someone coming in to do for her. Otherwise, you'd be worrying constantly about DS opening windows etc (after all it will be summer) and losing her inadvertently.

Having her to come home to might also be good for DS as well?

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Hoppinggreen · 17/12/2014 16:43

Cats usually prefer their home territory so I probably wouldn't take mine anywhere else on holiday.

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AngelCauliflower · 17/12/2014 20:13

thank you very much for your replies. It sounds like she may be better at home or in a cattery. She is scared of the outside and refuses to go out. But I suppose that could change, I dont want to risk her escaping in a strange place. I will see what she is like nearer the time.

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Frusso · 17/12/2014 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GwenaelleLaGourmande · 17/12/2014 20:23

My SIL used to take her cat everywhere. Was fine as long as doirs and windows kept closed. But most cats don't cope like that and are happier at home or in a cattery so you are sure they will be fine.

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sashh · 18/12/2014 06:28

One of mine used to go to my parents for holidays when I went away, she just thought of it as another home, or seemed to.

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Leela5 · 18/12/2014 07:24

Cats tend to be happier in familiar environment - I wouldn't take cat on holiday. Cattery or cat sitter at home would be best bet

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AngelCauliflower · 18/12/2014 07:35

hi, thank you for the replies. It is good to hear that some cats do cope well with going away and some even have passports! I would love to take her away but I won't if I think it would be too stressful for her.

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Branleuse · 18/12/2014 07:38

my mum has a place in france and they take the cat every year now for a couple of months The cat hated it the first year but now loves it and gets much more variety of tasty french wildlife than she ever got round here

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PinkSparklyJumboStocking · 18/12/2014 09:48

MIL has a holiday home and if we go we take Harry with us. Obviously he has to stay indoors but he doesn't seem to mind especially as it's always cold when we first get there as the house has been shut up so he gets to lay in front of the fire!

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cozietoesie · 18/12/2014 09:59

Maybe plan to have her in a cattery or investigate neighbours/professional cat sitters in advance and make a firmer decision in a few months when you see how she gets on after you've had her for a little longer?

It's better to be prepared than to have to make a decision at the last moment when you can't get her in anywhere good/book a good sitter at short notice - and remember that catteries will almost certainly require proof of shots etc so be sure to have those done timeously in any case.

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AngelCauliflower · 18/12/2014 11:26

hi, yes I will start looking into what my options are so I know I will be able to do the best for her.

I would like it if she could go to this particular cottage for a small break every year. It would make ds happy. So it is lovely to hear that some cats do go on holiday and like it.

thank you