Taking Cat to Holiday Home

[RoastChickenDinner]

Would you? Bad idea?

Considering buying a static caravan and wondering weather to try and take the cat when we go at weekends or get a friend to pop in to her.

She is an outdoor cat, but she is pretty bonded to me (I can't sit down without her being on my knee or chest) so I'm in a quandary.

Advice or experiences please.

[PartyPolitics]

Bad idea. Cats really don't like being taken out of their environment and will most likely thank you by scent marking your entire house upon return. Much better to get someone to pop in.

[RoastChickenDinner]

As in with wee?

[GeillisTheWitch]

I wouldn't take her to the caravan, if she escapes she could run off trying to find her way home. Get a cat sitter or use a cattery.

[thecatneuterer]

Very bad idea. How will you be able to stop her getting out? If she does you may never find her.

Also, as Party says, cats don't like to be taken out of their environment.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es]

The risk of her getting out and lost would worry me and you couldn't leave her shut in a caravan all day during hot weather.

[PartyPolitics]

Yes, wee. Happened to a friend of mine a few weeks ago, she took her cat on holiday and wondered why it was now weeing on her bed and carpets. My cat is very needy bonded and she's always fine with being left and fed by my neighbour.

[Stinkymimi]

I took mine twice, when they were little. First year they we're absolutely fine. Second time slightly less comfortable so we didn't do it again.
I wonder now they're old if it might be a way to go.... I'm increasingly unhappy about leaving them as they get older and need medication and care. But one is prone to bouts of weeing outside the tray - which would be awful - so maybe not!

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

If she was 100% indoor I'd say try it, but not a cat who is used to roaming.

[RoastChickenDinner]

I wouldn't be trying to keep her in - it wouldn't be possible.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

We take Harry to MIL's holiday home and he's more relaxed there than he is at home! I wouldn't dream of letting him out though.

[MyKidsHaveTakenMySanity]

Our cat is a sweetheart who is very obedient when it comes to being called back home by us. She will always come when asked and it's not food or reward based. Even then I would NEVER risk her running off in a strange place. Dogs are different and can be leashed (as can some cats not mine, she'd rip my face off if I tried!) but cats can escape a building much, much easier than a dog.

You can never know how a cat would handle being in a unfamiliar environment and if it did escape, that could be the last time you see it.
I always get someone to come and see to my girl whenever we go away. Much easier and I'm happier knowing she's safe at the home she knows.

[thecatneuterer]

Well in that case definitely, definitely not then. Advice is to keep cats in a new home for at least three weeks before you let them out so they get used to their new place as home and will come back.

You can't just go to a new place and let the cat out if you ever want to see her again.

[RoastChickenDinner]

Well that's fairy unanimous!

[Papergirl1968]

Well, I'm going to throw a spanner in the works and say try it. We've taken our dcat twice to self catering properties and have booked again for this summer.
He is very bonded to us and seems quite happy there. No marking or scratching. I tend to not go far for the first day or two and then make sure we aren't gone too long.
The first house had a balcony he liked to go on with me and the second property was a flat with an enclosed yard I'd take him into for some fresh air but he would have had enough and trot back in after a few minutes. The first year he did escape as we were packing up the car to come home but after leading us a merry dance around the close for a few minutes, he trotted back in through the front door.
I'd maybe consider letting the cat out after a few trips to the caravan, but initially going out with it. Depends what sort of caravan park, whether dogs are off the lead etc. I have been to caravan parks where people take cats and they seem not to move far from the caravan. Some seem to like to sit on the roof.