This is Part 7 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Winners will be drawn at random on June 15th. Details here.
I challenge any one of you to admit that you’ve never suffered even a twinge of separation anxiety when you travel without your pets. Today we’ll cover a few things that might help mitigate those mournful pangs.
SKYPE VIDEO CALLS
Have you considered video conferencing so that you can get your Fluffy fix while on the road?
If you have 1) a laptop with a webcam, 2) a home computer with a webcam, and 3) an agreeable cat sitter, you can make FREE computer-to-computer calls from anywhere in the world. You can see Fluffy, and Fluffy can see you. The results are amazing (you get better results the better your hardware is and the faster your connections are).
Just go to Skype.com, sign up for an account, and install the FREE software. You’ll be up and running in minutes.
If you don’t have a webcam, a cheapo $30 model will work fine for this. It’s a small price to pay for some QT with Fluffy every evening.
Words of Warning: This works better if the cat sitter is a trusted family member. It’s always a good policy to password-protect your computer files before you travel.
STREAMING WEBCAM VIDEO
When shopping for kennels, some have webcams, so you can tune in anytime for a glimpse of Fluffy.
If Fluffy’s staying at home, you can install a webcam pointed at her favorite lounging spot. (Not for techno-phobes, though, since it can involve reconfiguring your firewall.)
PHOTOS
Many boarding facilities (like PetCamp) and cat sitters upload photos of their guests each day so you can sneak a peak at Fluffy whether she’s enjoying her time at the spa, or a home staycation.
BRING FLAT-CAT WITH YOU
OK. You have to be a little nuts to try this one. But trust me on this, it’s fun and definitely a conversation starter.
If you’re familiar with the concept of “Flat Stanley,” you know what I’m talking about. A Flat-Cat is a feline Flat Stanley, a stand-up version of your cat that you can take on vacation with you and pose for vacation photos.
I have several versions of “Flat Skeezix” that travel with me anytime Skeezix can’t. Flat Skeezix has logged about 15,000 travel miles and has even kissed the Blarney Stone. Your flat-cat will definitely make your set of vacation photos more interesting.
Making a Flat-Cat is easy:
Take a photo of your cat. It’s best if she’s sitting up facing the camera.
Make a print of the photo, as close to life size as possible, usually 11″X14″. If she’s about 12 inches tall standing up, her image should occupy about 12″ of the vertical space on the photo, with about 2″ left over (see example, right).
Adhere the print to a piece of foam core board(fig 1 below). You can get foam core with an adhesive back at any office supply store. Or, use spray adhesive or a glue stick.
Weight it down overnight.
Using an Exacto knife, cut out around the cat image(fig 2 below). Put a self-healing mat or several layers of cardboard beneath the foam core so that you don’t score your dining room table.
Cut a strip of foam core about 1-1/2″ wide and not quite as tall as your cat. This will prop your cat up as you pose her.
Affix it to the back of your foam core cat with packing tape or duct tape (depicted in green in the figure), about 2/3 of the way up (fig 3 below).
Try it out, trimming the length of the support as necessary. The flat cat should tilt backward slightly for stability. Once you have the angle correct, put a second length of tape about halfway down the support that connects the support to the flat cat about an inch or two away. I take 2 lengths of tape and stick them sticky-sides-together in the middle, with the last inch on each end used to affix it to the support and the flat cat.
I can stow Flat Skeezix in my backpack, and pull him out whenever necessary for photo opps. It’s like having him on the trip with me … without a litter box to clean.
What are your strategies for dealing with the anxiety you experience when separated from your cat?
This is Part 6 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Winners will be drawn at random on June 15th. Details here.
Sometimes, it’s just not feasible to have a cat sitter look after Fluffy in your absence. If that’s the case, you can either stay home or find a boarding facility. Today we’ll cover how to find a place to board Fluffy, and how what to look for when you evaluate a boarding facility.
HOW TO FIND A CAT BOARDING FACILITY
First, ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members and your veterinarian. Specifically, make sure they have boarded cats, not dogs, since a great dog kennel might not always be optimized for great cat care. Also, check out Yelp and Catster Local. You can not only find facilities, but read reviews so you can identify any red flags before you visit.
Other sources for finding a boarding facility include:
One of the most important factors is whether or not it is a cats-only facility, and if not, how insulated are the cat kennels from the dog kennels. If, from within the cat kennel, you can hear dogs barking, it will likely be a stressful stay for your cat and you should seek another facility. Ideally, the cat kennel should be separate, with its own ventilation system (so the cats cannot smell the dogs.)
The kennel area should be constructed of surfaces that can easily wipe clean–there should be no carpeted surfaces that can harbor fleas, dirt and germs.
The cage itself should provide enough room within which the cat can move, and the litter box should be segregated from the main cage, with separate ventilation, so that your cat is not whiffing litter box odors for the duration of her stay.
If you have cats that will be bunking together they should be accommodated in a space with adequate room for two, not crammed into a space for one. Many newer kennels are constructed with windows or port holes between cages that can be opened to allow multiple cats to move between cages. Make sure that if your cats like to sleep cuddled together that there is space for them to do so.
The facility should provide playtime for the cats each day in an area they can stretch out and run in. Some charge extra for this service.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST Here’s what you should look for and the questions you should ask when you inspect the boarding facility:
If you have a cat on medication, will they administer it?
Are there separate boarding areas for cats that are sound-proofed from the dog area? Does the cat area have ventilation separate from the dog area?
How big is each kennel?
Are the cages clean and free from excrement? Is the kennel area odor free?
Are the cages far enough away from each other to avoid close contact between cats?
How often are the cages, dishes, (and litter boxes) cleaned, and with what? How are the cages cleaned between boarders?
Will they bathe your cat if she becomes soiled with urine or excrement?
What is the regular feeding schedule, and can it be adapted if your cat has special needs? Can you bring the cat’s regular food?
Who actually works with the animals? Ask to meet them.
What are their admit and pick up hours? What if your return is delayed?
Which vaccinations are required, and which are recommended? Are vaccinations that you administered acceptable or do they need to be given by a veterinarian?
Do they require testing for certain diseases such as feline leukemia (FeLV)? Are there solid partitions between the cats, and are the cages far enough away from each other to avoid close contact between cats?
Is there a veterinarian or emergency clinic nearby?
Is there a time you can call to check on how your cat is doing?
What are their security provisions? Do the cages have good latches?
Is the facility accredited by the American Boarding Kennels Association?
Are there separate boarding areas for cats?
In addition to accommodations, the facility might offer additional services including pick up and drop off, TV time for pets, Playtime, TLC time, grooming and training. Some even have webcams, or will post photos of their guests online so you can do a virtual check-in while you’re away.
BEFORE YOU DROP OFF YOUR CAT…
Before you drop your cat off, here’s what you need to do:
Get a health certification and vaccination records from your vet.
If permitted, pack her favorite blanket and toy(s), and an item of apparel with your smell on it. Spritz some Feliway on the bedding.
Pack her food and treats, plus a little extra.
Prepare a sheet with care and contact information. Most kennels will have you fill one out at check-in, but if you do it beforehand, you’re less likely to leave anything out. Information should include:
Medical information
Behavior information
Playtime info (favorite toys)
Mealtime preferences
Contact info and itinerary
Local Contact (IMPORTANT! If your cat freaks out while boarded and someone needs to come and get her, it’s good to identify someone for this purpose.)
Some cats do great when boarded, some not so much. But if you have a great experience, you’ll have successfully identified a safe place for your cat to enjoy a staycation, freeing you to travel worry-free in the future.
And don’t forget to book early! The good Kitteh Hotels fill up fast!
This is Part 5 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Winners will be drawn at random on June 15th. Details here.
Today I’m interviewing Virginia Donohue, owner of Cat Camp Safari, a luxury kitty spa in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights neighborhood. Located in a beautifully remodeled turn-of-the-century building, Cat Safari offers the country’s only “outdoor” adventure for cats. Virginia says that in creating Cat Safari and its unique Safari Gardens, they wanted their campers to have the opportunity that most citified cats never get — the chance to explore the great “outdoors” in a safe, secure environment.
The facility features enormous windows that afford maximum sunlight. Surrounding outside areas have been landscaped with plants and flowers designed to attract birds and butterflies for the cats’ enjoyment. Soothing music plays 24/7.
Karen: What sets Pet Camp Cat Safari apart from other cat boarding facilities? Virginia: At Pet Camp Cat Safari we have an “outdoor” garden (right) which is a lushly landscaped greenhouse where cats can climb trees and stroll on bamboo bridges. The garden has a bubbly fountain and cricket, frog and bird songs. Cats love it! It’s the only place like it in the country!
Cat Safari is Pet Camp’s just-for-cats adventure. We encourage cats to come out of their private condos and climb cat trees, watch the fish in the aquarium, play with the disco lights, or lounge on the window sill and spy on the birds. Each cat’s condo has a separate ventilation system to pull the old air out and supply fresh, clean air. We have a second location, Pet Camp’s Main Campground, which is more convenient for families with both dogs and cats.
We post photos of the cats in the garden everyday on our website: petcamp.com Just look under Camper Cameos.
Karen: What was the genesis of the idea for the Safari Garden? Virginia: Like every good idea we’ve ever had, we were inspired by our own pets. We adopted Masai 13 years ago from the San Francisco SPCA. He is a fearless, affectionate adventurer. He spent the first 8 years of his life trying to go outside while we tried to tell him how dangerous the big city was. We looked at each other and said, we’ve got to find some safe way to let cats explore the great outdoors. The idea for the Safari Garden was born. Of course then we had to find a building and actually create it!
Karen: When cat owners are trying to select a boarding facility for their cats, what should they look for? Virginia: I always encourage people to visit any facility they’re thinking of using. You want to be sure the facility is professionally run and staffed by people who LOVE cats. Does it look and smell clean? Is the staff friendly? Does it have a variety of sources of stimulation for the cats, after all not every cat likes the same thing? Do they have a good active ventilation system to help prevent the spread of germs?
We’re beginning to see more facilities that are prohibiting or severely limiting the times you can take a tour. If they won’t show you where the cats stay, I wouldn’t stay there. That said, you need to understand that the place is going to look pretty undone when the staff is cleaning – cats can make quite a mess!
Karen: What advice would you give a cat owner who has never boarded a cat before? Virginia: Again, visit the place well before you plan to travel and make sure you’re comfortable. Bring something from home for your cat to enjoy while you’re gone, whether that be a favorite blanket, treat or toy. At drop off time relax, if you’re tense your cat will know and that’s not going to help anyone. Feel free to check in with the caretakers, but I’d give it a few days. Generally it takes a cat about 48 hours to adjust to the new surroundings.
Karen: Cat Safari is certified by the city of San Francisco as a green business, probably the only pet boarding facility in the country with that designation. What makes your facility green? Virginia: We have a photovoltaic system on the roof to provide us a lot of our electricity. For our hot water, we installed a solar thermal system and tankless hot water system. On most days, the solar thermal system provides all the hot water we need. On those days that the solar thermal can’t meet our needs on its own, it will pre-heat water before the water goes through a tankless water heater.
We also use the warmth the greenhouse generates to heat the building. The building itself is formaldehyde-free. And, of course, we compost and recycle like mad. My husband, Mark, is the guru of green here and is constantly on the prowl for new ideas.
Karen: Obviously, your feline guests are pampered both at home and at Cat Camp. What’s the most unusual special request you’ve fulfilled for one of your guests? Virginia: Well, once we had to hold a phone up to a cat’s ear because the owner’s psychic told her to call. I have to say though, that I’ve been caring for dogs and cats for more than 12 years and gotten thousands of requests and at this point they all seem normal!
Karen: Do you ever run into a situation where the cat really shouldn’t be boarded (aside from the obvious, like having a URI)? Virginia: We do not accept diabetic cats because we don’t feel we can adequately monitor them. The insulin doses that they are receiving at home work well with the combination of food and exercise they’re getting there. But if a cat leaves home and changes the amount of food he eats or exercise he’s getting, the insulin doses he’s getting may no longer be appropriate.
We take care of many types of cats. Many are very people-oriented and are just too lonely when they’re left home with only a daily visit from a cat sitter. Here there are people around constantly.
But we also care for cats who are afraid of strangers and hide from the cat sitter. Cat sitters can’t take care of a cat they can’t find. We have cats who rip furniture or pee outside of the litter box when their people are gone. That kind of damage is very expensive to repair.
There are some cats who don’t enjoy the experience, but they’re actually pretty rare. Even cats who are nervous the first time, come back a second time and are quite comfortable because they understand the routine. Generally it takes about 48 hours for a cat to adjust.
Karen: Both you and your husband, Mark, had traditional 9-5 jobs before you opened Pet Camp in 1997. Any regrets, or does Pet Camp represent a dream come true? Virginia: Sometimes I miss having a regular paycheck and vacation time, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything. We meet fabulous people and their pets everyday. Plus when I’m a little tired I can just find a furry friend and get a good snuggle!
This is Part 3 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Details here.
We used to live in a great house in a resort town and anybody we knew would practically pay us to cat sit for us because it was a perfect weekend getaway spot.
I usually relied upon my aunt and uncle for cat sitting duties. They were the best cat sitters EVER. They were both animal lovers, and did a great job, leaving a detailed “report card” behind to describe how the cats behaved over the weekend. Once, my aunt relayed the story of how our cat Rocky climbed into bed with them and fell asleep on top of my Uncle Clyde. My aunt said that it was the first time in 42 years of marriage that she’d seen my uncle sleeping with a cat. And it was the first time Rocky had slept in the people bed when people were in it.
NOT EVERY FRIEND/FAMILY MEMBER IS GOOD CAT SITTER MATERIAL
But not every friend or family member has what it takes to be a great cat sitter. Two members of my husband’s family delivered up my worst cat sitting experience. Everyone we knew was out of town on the weekend we wanted to get away. We debated hiring a pro when my husband suggested that we invite two of his relatives (let’s call them John and Mary) to do the honors.
I wasn’t convinced that they were a good choice. They don’t have cats, and Mary is a space case who seems to live part of her life in an alternate universe. But hubby talked me into it. After all, how hard is it to put down kibble, Fancy Feast and water over a 36 hour period? (We didn’t even ask them to clean the litter boxes — we had several self-cleaning boxes, and had put out an extra one that would provide sufficient capacity until we returned.)
Upon our return, we saw that John and Mary did take the time to write a note thanking us for the generous gift certificate we left them for our favorite local restaurant, and they even noted how friendly “Roger” was (they never could get Rocky’s name right). They added that they hadn’t seen Mao and thought he might have snuck outside.
It was apparent that they had failed to grasp the concept of cat sitting. The food dishes were completely empty (which was very unusual, because our cats refuse to eat the kibble “crumbs” at the bottom of the dish unless they’re famished) and not a single can of cat food had been opened. The water dishes were bone dry. Evidently, on Mary’s home planet the cats don’t need food or water for sustenance. I said a lot of words from the Bad Word List.
Since we were only gone for a day and a half, no harm was done. Mao showed up within minutes of our return. But it illustrates that often, licensed and bonded cat sitters are a better choice than friends or family members.
DOES UNCLE ROY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
If you’re thinking of asking friends or family to cat sit for you, first evaluate whether they’re a good choice for the job:
Are they “cat people”? If you have to think about it, even for a moment, a professional sitter is probably a better choice.
When they’re in your home, do they pet your cats at an arm’s distance and discourage them from jumping up on them because of the cat hair or allergies? If so, they’re not cat people. Go with a pro.
When you explain your cats’ unique preferences (”break up the wet food so it isn’t just a big glob straight from the can and garnish with 4 Temptations”) do they listen intently, or do they interrupt and say “yeah, yeah, I know how to feed cats,” or “you’re kidding, right?” If they’re not listening intently and taking copious notes, go with a pro.
If you’ve eliminated everyone you know from contention, hire a pro.
“I say, always go with a pro! Mommy had an elderly neighbor feed us for a week while Mom was out of town. She agreed to it because his wife said that it would “give him a sense of purpose,” even though she had a terrible feeling about it. No offense intended to elderly folks, but he could barely see.
“Well, Mom was gone two days when a friend called and said “I saw Squeaky outside your house! At least I think it was Squeaky. Sure looked like her to me.” Mom had to cut her vacation short and drive 500 miles in a panic, and yes, poor Squeaks was outdoors and terrified.”
HOW TO FIND A CAT SITTER
Ask family, neighbors, friends, local rescue groups and shelters and your veterinarian if they know a cat sitter they would recommend. If there are young vet asssistants at your veterinarian’s office that you trust, and you live nearby, ask if they’d be willing to drop by before and after work for the price that a cat sitter would charge.
Several pet sitting organizations have member directories:
And depending on where you live, Yelp and Catster Local can help you find sitters in your area.
Once you have a list of potential sitters, review their websites to determine what services they offer and to learn more about the pet sitter before you contact her. If you only have cats, search for one that is cat-oriented.
INTERVIEWING THE CAT SITTER
Schedule an initial meeting with the cat sitter in your home prior to engaging her services. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule an interview. You should aim to have your cat sitter interviewed and selected several weeks before your travel date. Pet Sitters International provides an interview checklist here.
Here’s what to look for in a cat sitter interview:
How does she interact with your cat?
How does your cat interact with her?
What’s your initial gut reaction to this person? (Trust your instincts!)
Is it someone with whom you would entrust with the keys to your home?
If your cat requires medication, watch the potential cat sitter administer it.
Does this person engage with your cat as a cat lover would?
Does she handle the cat knowledgeably and confidently, as a vet or vet tech would?
Additionally:
Ask for references.
Request proof of bonding and liability insurance coverage.
The cat sitter should have a contract that you can review beforehand which spells out the terms and conditions of the engagement.
You may be asked to sign a contract at the initial meeting, but don’t feel pressured to do so if you want to think it over or are considering other candidates.
Make sure that the person you are interviewing will be the person coming to your home. It’s not uncommon, especially around peak vacation and holiday periods, for some pet sitters to send substitutes to care for the clients’ pets. If that’s the case with your sitter, you should insist on meeting the substitute. If that’s not possible, select another sitter. If you engage the services of a pet sitting service (vs. an individual pet sitter), you also need to ensure that the person you meet and interview will be the person sitting your cat.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal cat sitter is someone who has training in pet first aid, care, and handling, is a rabid cat lover, and is trustworthy and responsible. Often, you can find sitters who are former vet techs–good if you have cats with special needs. Certification or accreditation indicates that an individual has met certain objective criteria through a course of study and testing.
A certificate can demonstrate a certain level of professionalism, and prove that they’ve mastered important care and handling skills, but it doesn’t vouch for an individual being trustworthy and responsible, or even a cat lover.
Most courses for accreditation or certification are conducted by correspondence or online. The two biggest groups in the U.S. providing this are:
Keep in mind that an individual can be a member of these organizations without being accredited or certified by them.
And, whether she’s accredited or not, your sitter should be bonded and carry liability insurance.
Whether to choose a cat sitter who is certified vs. one who’s not is like deciding between hiring someone who is a college graduate, or one who’s not but has equivalent work experience. A college degree does not necessarily prove that the grad will be better at the job than the non-graduate. You have to look at the whole package. Same with sitters.
REFERENCES
Honestly, I don’t know how valid this is unless you know the references personally. The sitter is unlikely provide as a reference a client who sued him for killing her cat. And who’s to say that the references you’re given aren’t just friends and family of the sitter?
Certainly, call the references, but don’t stop there. Yelp and Catster Local can help. You can read reviews from both delighted and disgruntled clients.
If your cat has special needs–for example, if she’s diabetic–ask specifically for references from clients with the same needs, in this example, diabetic cats. Ask the reference when he used the cat sitter’s services, and how often he uses the sitter. If he doesn’t use that sitter every time he travels, find out why.
THE CONTRACT
The contract should cover the following:
Live-in vs. Commuting: Will the sitter stay in your house 24/7? If not, how many visits per day are required? If she’s staying 24/7 and you’ll be away on a long trip, how much time can she spend away from the house to tend to personal errands?
Duties: Will the sitter also be required to bring in the mail, water plants, adjust lights? Never assume they will unless spelled out in the contract.
Payment: Discuss payment methods and agree to terms. Be sure to settle on the per-day or per-visit fee, amount to be paid in advance (if any), terms for final payment, etc.
House Rules: Whether or not your sitter will be living at your home while you are away, let him or her know what your expectations are regarding use of your home and your appliances, food, and so on. Also set terms for visitation by the sitter’s friends.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE..
Provide contact information for you and for your vet. I also include the contact info for an emergency vet.
Provide your sitter with the names and phone numbers of at least one local contact who can help in an emergency.
Leave detailed instructions for the pet sitter regarding feeding habits, medications, etc. I keep a binder with a page for each cat. It has their photo and name, dietary preferences, medications, medical history and preferred playtime activities.Petsitters.biz recommends that you cover the following in your instructions:
Feeding: Provide feeding instructions for each pet, including who, when, where, what, and how; for example: What are your preferred feeding times? Where should the food be placed? What food should be given to each pet? What should the sitter do if multiple pets compete for food? Should the sitter wait around until the food is gone and then clean up the dishes immediately, or should the food be left out unattended for the evening or overnight?
Medication: If a pet is on medication, leave complete instructions for administering the medication; for example: Where is the medication stored? At what time(s) each day is the medication given? What is the dosage? How is the medication administered?
Exercise: Provide detailed instructions for exercising your cats. Should your cats have interactive playtime each day?
Household Tasks: Provide detailed instructions for routine household maintenance tasks. How often should the litter box be cleaned, and how? Where should the daily mail be placed? Will you want your sitter to take out the garbage? If the phone rings, should the sitter answer it? Also, if your home has a burglar alarm system, ensure that your sitter is properly trained in how to operate it and what to do in the case of a false alarm.
Plug in a Feliway Diffuser to calm your cats in your absence.
Secure your cat doors.
Contact your vet and leave a letter on file authorizing treatment and providing payment information so your cat can receive care if necessary while you’re gone. This might include a cap on the dollar amount of services you’re willing to pay for.
Depending on how well you know your neighbors, let them know you’ll be gone and that a pet sitter will be visiting your house while you’re away.
Purchase extra food and other supplies, in case your trip is longer than you anticipated.
MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF
These products can help:
The Cat Sitter’s Handbook – Personalized Guide is designed to offer owners peace of mind by informing the cat sitter about the peculiarities of a cat and her daily requirements. The easy-to-use handbook format allows owners to fill in appropriate information about their cats’ food, outside schedule, toys, rules, favorite chair, medication, etc.
Music Cats Love: While You Are Gone A CD/MP3 of Calming music and soothing stories for your cat. It features over one hour of relaxing music mixed with soft nature sounds and short stories, creating a peaceful environment for cats who are left alone.
If you have a good cat sitter story–whether it’s a cautionary tale or a funny anecdote, tell me about it. If published in The Cat’s Meow, you’ll get five additional entries in the PetSmart giveaway.
This is Part 2 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Details here.
If you’re planning to travel while your cats enjoy a staycation, how do you decide what to do with them while you’re gone?
HOME ALONE
Most cats, given the choice, would prefer to stay at home with familiar smells, sounds and toys. If you’re going to be away for just a couple of days, leaving them at home alone with extra kibble and water is not a bad solution. However, it’s less practical if you have more than one or two cats, because the litter boxes will fill up and you’ll come home to a house that reeks of cat pee. And obviously, this is not an option for cats on medication.
Home Alone Tips:
Buy a couple of disposable litter boxes to ensure your cats won’t be dissuaded to use a filthy litter box.
If you have a cat door, secure it before you leave on your trip.
If you’ve ever had a problem with ants, nest the food bowls into saucers or plates with water, creating a “moat” so that ants can’t get to the food.
If you have outdoor cats (ferals and strays, for example) that you feed, you should have a neighbor drop by each morning or evening to leave food for them.
Hiring a catsitter is a good option. Someone will come to your house once or twice a day (or even stay at your house 24/7) and offer in-home care. Even better if the catsitter is a family member or a friend with whom the cats are already familiar.
This is probably your best option when you travel on extended trips, or even for weekend trips if your cat needs medication or other daily attention. As with the Home-Alone option, if you have a cat door, secure it before you leave on your trip. We’ll cover how to select a catsitter later in this series.
BOARDING AT VET
If you have a cat with special medical needs, you might consider boarding her at a veterinary facility. If so, it should be at a facility in which dogs and cats are separated (many cats will get stressed by constant barking), and sick cats are not in the same quarters as boarders. If your cat suffers from severe separation anxiety (for example, won’t eat or drink when you’re gone), a vet is available to administer fluids, food, and a sedative if necessary.
BOARDING AT KENNEL or KITTY SPA
A boarding facility is a popular option, and some offer state of the art technology including webcams and spa treatments. Later in this series we’ll provide guidance on how to select a boarding facility for your cat. (And don’t forget to leave a comment on each of the posts in this series to be entered into the PetSmart giveaway for an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel.)
In short, here’s a summary of your options:
Home Alone
Usually fine for very short trips (3 days or less)
Limited by litterbox capacity
Fine for cats accustomed to a kibble diet (not a good option for cats who primarily eat wet food, since a dietary change is not recommended while you’re away from home)
If you have more than a couple of cats, a catsitter is probably a better option
Catstitter
Best option – cat stays in her home, but someone’s there to look in on her
Many catsitters are trained in administering medications
Many catsitters will double as housesitters and will water plants, etc.
Boarding at Vet
Might be the only option if your cat has special needs
Best option if your cat suffers from separation anxiety
Make sure your cat is in an area separate from dogs and sick animals
Kennel or Kitty Spa
Most kennels and kitty spas can accommodate special-needs cats
Make sure your cat is in an area separate from dogs–ideally with its own ventilation system
In addition to purrsonal references, sites like Catster Local and Yelp can provide online rating and reviews that can help you in your decision-making.
The bottom line is, base your decision on what best suits your cat’s temperament and needs.
If you’re planning a vacation of any length, it’s wise to consider doing a trial run first to see how your cat fares before leaving her with an untested catsitter or dropping her at a boarding facility for a 3-week stay. You don’t want to get a phone call a few days into a European vacation telling you that Fluffy is refusing to eat and drink. See how she does over a long weekend. If she’s none the worse for wear, that’s great. If she appears to have been traumatized by the ordeal, you’ll have time to consider other options before you leave on your trip… or opt to have a staycation, yourself, instead!
We’ll delve deeper into each of these options this week, so stay tuned.
If you have a good story about your cat’s staycation–whether it’s a cautionary tale or a funny anecdote, tell me about it. If published in The Cat’s Meow, you’ll get five additional entries in the PetSmart giveaway.
Last week we covered how to determine whether or not to travel with your cat, and what to do when you do. If you determined that Fluffy is better off at home, congratulate yourself on a wise decision. Most cats–even though they might miss your company–are happier not to join you on your trip.
Which brings us to this week’s series on NOT traveling with your cat.
This week we’ll look at different options for your cat’s staycation. Whether you just leave a pile of kibble and water and let the cats have the house to themselves, hire a catsitter, or opt for boarding, we’ll give you a few tips and tricks to ensure that your cat has as good a time during her staycation as you have on your trip.
And, we’re having a giveaway! PetSmart is sponsoring the prize: an overnight stay plus TLC at one of their pet hotels.
More than half of all pets are left behind when their families travel. PetSmart® knows pet parents want only the best care possible for their loved ones while away, so PetSmart PetsHotel® associates go to great lengths to give pet guests the personal TLC to make them feel right at home.
Here are just a few of the things PetSmart PetsHotel® associates do to keep their clients purring:
No Request too Great
Rising to these unique requests is just part of what makes a pet’s stay at the PetSmart PetsHotel so special. Whether it’s the spoon-fed care of an affectionate associate or an associate rocking a dog named Mitzi to sleep to her parent’s lullaby over the Bone Booth™ telephone, these are just a few examples of care provided at the PetsHotel. More unique requests fulfilled include:
Reading articles from the day’s newspaper to a kitty guest at bedtime. This kitty’s pet parents make it a nightly ritual, and the associates at the Overland Park, Kan. PetsHotel happily continue the tradition to help make their guest feel at home.
Willow Grove, Pa. PetsHotel associates welcoming a shepherd mix who was rescued from a shelter in Israel. This pet guest only understands Hebrew, so his pet parents provided a list of commands in the dog’s native language. The PetsHotel was happy to quickly learn the Hebrew commands, making the guest feel right at home.
Spending extra time with Georgia, a Hurricane Katrina survivor and very timid, anxious Bloodhound mix. She wasn’t very good at making friends or being away from home, so during her first overnight stay at the PetsHotel in Springfield, Mo., Georgia was scared of her new surroundings and hesitant to eat. Throughout her stay at the PetsHotel, the resident pet trainer worked with Georgia to help her make new friends, learn to enjoy group play and happily eat dinner out of the palm of associates’ hands.
Fun for Everyone
While their families travel, feline guests can relax in private Kitty Cottages with comforts from home and play with trained pet care specialists for exclusive “TLC time.” During a pet’s stay, pets can take calls from their parents on the Bone Booth to check in or just say “mrow!”
Security and Safety
Just like pet parents, PetSmart’s number one priority is the safety, happiness and well-being of pets — that’s why security and safety are cornerstones of the PetsHotel. Upon check-in, pet guests receive personalized I.D. collars. Throughout their stay, guests are supervised 24-hours a day by the watchful eyes of trained caregivers. For extra protection, the PetsHotel has closed-circuit video cameras throughout the hotel in addition to keypad-secured double doorways to the interior. And, with a veterinarian always on call and Banfield® veterinary hospital inside PetSmart, medical help is never far if needed.
Booking Reservations
All cats are welcome at the PetsHotel, provided they have necessary vaccinations (FVRCP and Rabies). Cats stay for $14 per night. A la carte services and upgrades range from $3 to $16. Click here to find a PetsHotel near you.
PETSMART GIVEAWAY
PRIZE
Winner will receive an overnight stay at a PetSmart PetsHotel, plus TLC time.
HOW TO ENTER THE PETSMART GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment on this post, and on every post in the series. Each comment counts as one entry in the contest. No more than one entry per household for each post. If there are five Staycation posts, you can leave five comments–on on each post– for a total of five entries. We reserve the right to disqualify anyone if it looks like you’re cheating. Comments left prior to 11:59 PT on June 14th will be entered in the drawing. The winner will be drawn at random from all entries.
WINNER ANNOUNCED
The winner will be drawn and announced on Monday, June 15th.
GOT A GOOD BOARDING/CATSITTER STORY?
Whether it’s a cautionary tale or a funny story, tell it to me. If it’s a good one and we feature it on The Cat’s Meow, you’ll get five extra entries in the contest.
WHAT ABOUT THE ROAD TRIP CONTEST?
You can still enter that contest (no more than one entry per post per household) until June 20th. The winner will be announced on June 21st. Click here for details.
SKYPE VIDEO CALLS
Making a Flat-Cat is easy:
Sometimes, it’s just not feasible to have a cat sitter look after Fluffy in your absence. If that’s the case, you can either stay home or find a boarding facility. Today we’ll cover how to find a place to board Fluffy, and how what to look for when you evaluate a boarding facility.
The kennel area should be constructed of surfaces that can easily wipe clean–there should be no carpeted surfaces that can harbor fleas, dirt and germs.
Here’s what you should look for and the questions you should ask when you inspect the boarding facility:
Today I’m interviewing Virginia Donohue, owner of 
to pull the old air out and supply fresh, clean air. We have a second location, Pet Camp’s Main Campground, which is more convenient for families with both dogs and cats.
they are receiving at home work well with the combination of food and exercise they’re getting there. But if a cat leaves home and changes the amount of food he eats or exercise he’s getting, the insulin doses he’s getting may no longer be appropriate.
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The ideal cat sitter is someone who has training in pet first aid, care, and handling, is a rabid cat lover, and is trustworthy and responsible. Often, you can find sitters who are former vet techs–good if you have cats with special needs. Certification or accreditation indicates that an individual has met certain objective criteria through a course of study and testing.
Music Cats Love: While You Are Gone
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