The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [89]
Be sure to give Lucy lots of therapeutic massages and cuddles each night at your hotel. These will help convey to her that even though she is on the road, she is traveling with two people who love her and make her feel safe.
If your cat has a tendency to become sick and vomit when in the car, consult your veterinarian about appropriate anti-nausea medication that could make the trip easier on both of you.
TRAVELING CAT CHECKLIST
Before you hit the road with your cat, stock your car with the following supplies:
A well-ventilated cat carrier with an easy-to-clean floor pad
Bottled water and a no-spill bowl
Dry food, small bowl, and treats
Favorite toys
Comfy, familiar blanket
A leash and a spare collar and ID tags with a reachable phone number
Cat first-aid kit
Travel litter box, litter, and cleaning supplies
Nonprescription calming medicine such as Rescue Remedy
Photo of your cat in case she gets lost
Medical records of your cat
Paper towel rolls and plastic bags
To Board or Not to Board
Q We’re planning a three-week European vacation next summer with my entire family, including my parents, my husband, and our children. We all are excited about this trip, but we are debating whether to board our two cats or to hire a pet sitter to take care of them. With all of us traveling together, we don’t have our normal cat sitters. Either option is expensive, but we don’t want to worry about them when we’re gone. Bonnie and Clyde are siblings, about four years old, who are very bonded with each other. They are basically indoor cats and have traveled with us for weekend visits at my parents’ home without much fuss. Which option would work out best for them?
A You won’t find many cats packing passports. Home is where the feline heart is. If they were people, some cats would be labeled agoraphobic. Because your cats would probably choose to stay home, the pet-sitting option is definitely worth considering. The main benefit of pet sitting is that Bonnie and Clyde are able to stay put with all their “creature comforts.” Even though your absence will upset their normal routine, they will be surrounded by familiar scents and will be comforted by being on their own turf.
Like pet resorts, pet sitting is a booming industry. I recommend interviewing professional sitters who are licensed and bonded and belong to a national organization such as Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Pet sitters are trained to feed your cat, administer medications, and scoop the litter boxes. They also are available to water your plants, make sure your windows and doors are locked, take in the newspaper and mail, and even take out the trash.
The downside is that pet sitters tend to be busy people. They typically make one or two visits a day to your home. If a medical problem or other mishap should happen to Bonnie or Clyde, it might be 24 hours before someone could respond.
FELINE FACT
Cats purr at the frequency of 25 vibrations per second.
If you are fortunate enough to have a trusted friend, relative, or neighbor who is willing to step in and kitty-sit, this is also an option. I am less keen about hiring college students or others who are not professionally trained as pet sitters. Their motivation is money, and they may not put your cats’ needs as a priority, not out of meanness but from not knowing feline needs. Always provide a written list of instructions on how to care for your cats and what to do in case of a medical emergency.
Now let’s consider the boarding option. In addition to the traditional veterinary clinic boarding, there is an increasing array of specialty kennels that cater to your pet’s every whim. Instead of going to the dogs, these places are going to the cats. Some places look like mini-condos, complete