Preparing For Your Cats Holiday
Whether you’re leaving your furbabies for the first time or the tenth time, going away is never easy!!! Holidays should be exciting but not when you’re worried about leaving your cat. My aim is to make sure your cats holiday is a relaxed, stress-free and enjoyable experience for you both. Having my own 3 furbabies I know how I would want them looking and I look after your furbabies as if they were my own.
Preparing for your cats holiday
Before you and your cat arrive for their holiday, make sure you have:
- An up to date vaccination certificate. I need to see and record details of the last vaccination, within the last 11 months of arrival, as part of my license conditions.
- Regular flea and worming treatments. Make sure your cat is up to date with treatments, again it’s part of my license conditions.
- A suitable cat carrier. Before you put your cat in the carrier make sure it’s in good working order and a suitable size for your cat or cats.
- Shared information. Tell me all about your cat, their
behaviours , routines, and feeding preferences, the more I know the easier it is for your cat to settle. You can write it out or include it in their online account.
Arriving for your cats holiday
When you arrive I will show you to your room and let you settle your cat. The room will be prepared, ready for your cats holiday. Depending on the weather, the radiator may be on so that the room is warm. A Pet Remedy diffuser is always plugged, this creates a subtle, natural, calming scent that your cat will pick up on. The window to the balcony will be shut, this is to eliminate any further stress from outside noises. I will be on hand but it’s usually better for you to open your cats’ carrier.
Be prepared for your cat to stay in the carrier. Although it may be worrying it is perfectly normal for them to initially hide. I’ve realised, from experience, that there are generally 3 types of cats that arrive:
The Confident Explorer Cat
These cats aren’t phased by a change of scenery, car journey or a new environment at all. As soon as put them in their room and open the carrier door they already own the place! They usually have a little wander around and look at what’s on offer. They may even jump up on the window ledge or a shelf to make sure it’s up to their standard.
The Quietly Curious Cat
These cats are keen to have a little peep but usually from the safety of their carrier. When you arrive, give them a little space. Let them come out of the carrier in their own time. Usually within five minutes or so they’ll be out having a little look around their room, albeit a little sheepishly, but they will want to see what’s on offer.
The ‘I’m-not-here’ Timid Cat
Even if your cat isn’t usually shy at home a change of scenery can be a lot to take in all at once. These cats usually refuse to leave their carrier, even with a gentle nudge. They often curl up in a small ball and do their best to ignore every treat, sound and bit of catnip shown to them. It usually
Leaving a cat in their carrier is obviously a concern, especially, when it’s a battle getting them in the carrier in the first place! It is upsetting seeing your baby hiding, I know I have been there myself with my own, it’s never easy walking away from them. Leaving them to come around on their own terms is the best way. Pushing a timid cat out of its carrier will only cause further stress to you and your cat. Your cat feels safe in their carrier, its familiar to them. They always take less time to adjust if they are left
During Your Cats Holiday
Some cats will take a day or two to adjust to their new environment but usually, during the night they will be out and about exploring. I often spend lots of time sitting with the cats, so they get used to me. By the morning, I often find them up on a wall bed or shelf. I like to keep a close eye on all the cats in my care to make sure they are happy and healthy. Toileting and feeding behaviours are monitored daily, as this can be an important sign of an unsettled cat. I also send updates every day, to all the cat parents. This helps you see how they are getting on and the progress we’re making every day. If you’re on social media I might post a video too!
By the time the holiday comes to an end, they usually don’t want to leave. Trying to move an uncooperative cat from its bed is a common sight. Most returning customers comment on how confident their cats are when they arrive for a second or third (and so on) holiday. Cats have great memories, they are quick to jump back into their
I’d love to hear more about your experiences if you’ve already been to The Great Catsby Cat Hotel. If you’re gearing up ready for their very first cat holiday here, how are you feeling? Let me know in the comments as you may help others who feel the same way.