Cats on tour to centre parcs

[jbx10]

Wondered peoples thoughts on taking our kittens with us to center parcs. We couldn't really see any reason why not but we haven't been before. They travel well. We're in a detached lodge. We're going for a week (me, DH &DD) and thought it would be nice to bring them with us. People take their dogs without question soo is there any harm is taking our kittens?

You won't be allowed for a start!
Theu can cause damage or escape and get lost, bad idea methinks

Not allowed.

And why?!

Poor things, won't they be terrified?

Cats aren't dogs.
My cat escaped from his carrier outside the vets. He's a big confident friendly cat but he was terrified. He hid in the adjoining garden under brambles and despite me calling him he just cowed until we managed to get to him.
My dogs wouldn't do that - even the one who is cautious and jumpy.
I would not take my cats to a strange place. And the stress of having to keep them inside the whole time would ruin the holiday.

You'd have to be incredibly cautious not to let them escape or get stuck in an inaccessible corner in the lodge (like, up the flue!). Wouldn't they be going mad to either go and hunt birds/squirrels on the patio, or run away from the giant birds/squirrels on the patio?

I wouldn’t. You would feel awful if any escaped and were lost.

People pay extra to have a dog in their lodge.

Cats don't settle in new places in the way a dog does. You will be causing unnecessary stress.

No, they can go on their own holiday to a cattery, or have cat sitter popping in to look after them at home. Probably the best if they are young, cats like familiar surroundings.

My thoughts are you're being very selfish! As others have pointed out, it's unfair on the kittens, being out of their familiar surroundings.

Also, what about people with allergies, who might stay in the lodge after you? I am allergic to cats and this would ruin my holiday. In case you are not aware, there are designated lodges for people taking their dogs, you can't stop in any lodge with them.

Our cats travel regularly with us all over the UK and Ireland, they have been used to it from kitten age and are not stressed at all. They have been more stressed by being left at home with so called registered pet sitters who have let them out , turned up for 10 minutes rather than the 2 hrs we've paid for, or have forgotten to clean their turd tray.

As for the allergies issue, what about people who are allergic to dog hair? What's the difference? If you are allergic, you need to ask for a room that hasn't been pet friendly. Its exactly the same, pet friendly rooms are not suitable if you have allergies.

Cats are territorial, this would be a really frightening experience if they're not accustomed to regular travel.

Cats are attached to places, dogs to people. If you open a door to a cat it will likely try and find it's way home, whereas a dog will likely remain wherever its owner is.

I wouldn't stay in any pet friendly places, as I'm allergic to cats and most dogs unfortunately. If you are allergic to dog hair, you wouldn't choose to stay in a dog friendly place and if you do, then that's your choice. The difference is, as far as I can tell, the OP was just going to take the kittens and wouldn't be staying in pet friendly accommodation with them.

People don't take dogs without question. They're not allowed as standard, you need to pay for a specific type of cabin if you want to bring a dog.

Cats aren't allowed at CP. How could you guarantee they wouldn't scratch things or wee everywhere.

Cats and dogs are very different. Dogs stay beside their owners and are trained to heel and walk
On lead , for those people who take them away with them.

You can't train kittens or cats in the same way. Cats aren't allowable to bring with you precisely because Center parcs would end up with a population of escaped and lost cats in their "forests" that were impossible to find & trap!

You're being unrealistic OP

Center Parcs don’t allow cats

4.of our cats have travelled with us - only one at a time though! Normally our diabetic one so we can do her insulin - she's stayed in hotels and B&Bs around the country.
We also have one who we've taken to cat shows a few times and booked a hotel the night before if it's further away as they can be early starts.

One year our diabetic girl was already booked in at a cattery and another of our cats was prescribed antibiotics- the cattery couldn't fit her in at short notice so we called our hotel who were happy for us to bring the one that needed the antibiotics despite being advertised with a "no pet" policy. The staff were lovely with her too!

All three took to it really well and settled into our room like it was a home from home. They're indoor cats and we take food and litter trays etc - they haven't scratched anything or pissed anywhere apart from the litter tray.

We've always checked with the hotel first though as places that say pets are allowed aren't normally expecting cats!

Have you already booked your lodge? You have to book special dog friendly lodges if you want to bring your dogs and they only have the more basic lodges available for dogs. Also dogs are walked in specific areas and they ask you keep them on the lead, your kittens wouldn’t be able to go outside at all.

I should have mentioned for a start that of course I would have checked with the place first and paid the pet charge of it was allowed. If it isn't then that would rule it out for this trip.

I will also say, the cats are house cats - they stay inside anyway and I think people really do underestimate cats. They don't cause damage we are training them (just as I expect a dog owner would do) they are still small so not necessarily used to it staying away with us yet; however, our old cats came with us everywhere and wanted to be by our side constantly, leaving him home would have been more troubling for him.

Thanks for everyone's comments though, some fair points raised!

Not something I would do, my cat hated travelling in the car, he would meow constantly, and make a mess in his cat carrier. This was on a short vet trip, wouldn’t have dreamt of taking him hours away.

Over the years we have travelled with all of our cats , however whereas 3 of them didn’t seem at all fazed , one became incredibly stressed by the new surroundings, to the extent we had to return home. We definitely wouldn’t travel with him again . You do have to be very careful in terms of door, windows etc , the thought of one getting out in strange surroundings was always a worry . I would say try a couple of nights somewhere first though to see how your kittens respond if you do go ahead . Also we found that the majority of places that say pet friendly really only mean dog friendly and have been refused permission more times than granted when we have asked. Also keep in mind that we have always been told any damage they cause is up to us to pay for ,and however good they are at home doesn’t always stay the same with a new environment to explore.

@Theraffarian thanks for your comment! Good point and maybe this is not the trip to try them with for a first time (looking at previous post don't think they're allowed anyway). They are house cats & pedigrees, being careful with doors & windows has become a subconscious talent 😂

I don’t think cats generally cope well with change!

I had to plug the feliway back in because ds2 went to Uni and DH got admitted to hospital. Poor Dcat got really stressed and unsettled by the changes! And I’m her favorite person and still here! Doesn’t take much😵‍💫😢

I thought this thread was going to be about the cat that comes free when you arrive at your lodge in CP Woburn… we were surprised to find this extra guest every time we opened the patio doors!