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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Glamping cat

10 replies

Weedsnseeds1 · 21/10/2016 17:50

I've been wondering for a while if the blob would like to come on holiday with us rather than staying at home with a live in cat sitter. This week I took him glamping (40 mins from home, cat sitter on stand by in case he hated it), he took to it like a duck to water! Nice country walks, stalking pheasants, cozy evenings curled in front of the wood burner. Wouldn't have considered this with previous cats, but he's such a cheerful dog like little character it seemed like a good idea. Anyone else take their cats on holiday?

OP posts:

Papergirl1968 · 21/10/2016 17:59

Yes! Ours has been on our last two holidays self catering on the Welsh coast. Everyone thinks we are mad but he seems perfectly happy. More interested in the passing dogs than the seagulls though.
His attachment is to the family rather than to home and he has been used to going to my mom's house regularly so he adapts pretty well.

thecatneuterer · 21/10/2016 17:59

You've been lucky, but generally taking cats away is a very bad idea. For starters they are usually much happier in their home territory and secondly it is never advisable to let a cat out in a strange place that it hasn't been in for at least three weeks. You stand a very good chance of losing it. And if it does go missing, and then you have to go home, you will never find it.

I know of so many people who have lost their cats in this way. One of my colleagues recently managed to trap one that had been living on a camp site for over a year after her owners thought it would be a good idea to take her with them. The owners had left their details with the site in case she turned up but she had been living outside for so long she had become very vary of people and had to be trapped. The owners then had to come a hundred and fifty miles to collect her. And they were lucky. Most in this situation don't get found.

Apologies for the lecture. I just don't want other people thinking this is a good idea.

Not all cats are the same of course and if your cat is very bonded to you it could work, as it obviously has with you. I would say it's not worth the risk though.

cozietoesie · 21/10/2016 18:00

I used to take my personal boys on UK holidays - but Siamese have a sort of 'Where my Mummy is, that's my home' thing going.

Original poster

Weedsnseeds1 · 21/10/2016 18:10

He was only outside on a lead (goes out on his own at home obviously), not left alone and it was a secure safari tent. I had put a plan B in place in case he wasn't happy. As I said, previous cats, I would never have done this as I know they would have been distressed and much rather stayed at home. This one has a different character and is far more attached to me than anything else. I'm absolutely not encouraging other people to pack their cats and cart them off, just curious if other people had cats that had enjoyed it.

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cozietoesie · 21/10/2016 20:29

In a hotel in the North East of Scotland. (In the books as 'pet friendly' but they weren't really expecting a cat ) Knock on the door and there's a tentative little chambermaid standing there.

'Chef wondered whether He might like a little chicken breast lightly sautéed in butter for his supper?

Oh - and can I see him?'

Yep. I'd say that Twoago enjoyed himself.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/10/2016 20:58

Harry has been on holiday with us loads of times. MIL has a holiday cottage and, when my mum had to give up driving and so couldn't look after him, we decided to try taking him with us. He's not allowed out but I still perfectly happy pottering around indoors and sleeping in front of the fire.

Original poster

Weedsnseeds1 · 21/10/2016 20:59

cozie that sounds fantastic! My boy is attached at the hip, never experienced anything like it with previous ones. If I'm home I am escorted everywhere, if I'm away he bounds to the door to greet me. He'd love room service!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 21/10/2016 21:03

He behaved like a pasha!

Original poster

Weedsnseeds1 · 21/10/2016 21:23

I'm glad I'm not being irresponsible. I totally agree with catneuter that this is not something you should do with every cat. I have had several cats before, as had my partner, who was also a volunteer at a cat rescue for many years. I didn't do this on a whim, I was aware that his comfort zone was me, not his territory , unlike my previous cats. I trained him to a lead months in advance and researched accommodation and proximity to home, as well as checking with the site owners they were OK to a cept him and explaining this was a trial and he would be taken home if he wasn't happy
He was very happy, but wouldn't suit mist cats.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 21/10/2016 21:32

No, I'm afraid it wouldn't. My boys, though, have been bonded - a big thing to a Siamese or Oriental (I believe - I've never had an oriental) - and would do very badly indeed without me personally. I could manage an overnight away by myself but that was about it.

I kept them inside wherever I was going and they were fine. I probably wouldn't have taken other cats. (I except The Lodger who couldn't give a toss where he was as long as there was a decent wet bar or something to hunt! )

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