Should I take my cat on vacation?

Question

I have an 11 year old cat in good health. I am going away for ten days on a vacation. The hotel I go to allows pets, but I really don't think he would like the 3 hour car trip or being left alone in the hotel. I imagine that it would be pretty tramatic for him. I think that I would be better off leaving him at my home and having my Dad who lives locally check on him every few days. I have an auto feeder and water tank for him already.

Answer 1

Depends entirely on your cat, but there are very Very few that dont get antsy about being re-located. Most will try and often succeed to find thier way home.
10 days with someone visiting every few days, no problem, I'll bet that in the 11 years you have had the cat it has wandered off a few times too

Answer 2

I would honestly take him with you. Even though cats hate ("hate".. sometimes they're completely fine) new environments, and a 3 hr car ride won't be terrific, at least he'll be with you. How long would he be left alone at the hotel? If you are going to be gone for 12 hours at a time every day of the trip, I would maybe leave him at home, but if you think you will be in your hotel room periodically I think it would be less stressful for him than being left alone for an entire ten days with a visitor only so often. A LOT of cats get so stressed when they are left alone, even with family members or friends checking in on them. I've had three separate friends that had cats that got so upset that they peed and pooped all over their homes/apartments, even though they were always otherwise so well behaved-- this is not uncommon.
Three hours in the car isn't disastrous either, I've taken my cat on 2 hour carrides and I'm sure the extra hour wouldn't be too awful. Then again, you are his owner and know how he deals with these sort of things-- does he flip out in new environments? does he get car sick? (although many people are saying that cats get car sick, I've never had it happen to me or anyone that I know) how long has he been left alone for in the past? These are all questions that only you can answer.
Good luck!!

Answer 3

I've driven around with my previous cat since he was a kitten (drove him home from the Humane Society-a 1 hour trip) so if he's used to driving in a car, it shouldn't be a problem. If the hotel you'll be staying at allows pets, there shouldn't be a problem with fleas, etc from previous pets (hotels like that clean their rooms well) If you do leave him at home, have your dad check on him daily (if Kitty gets along with him) Kitty will love the company, and you won't come home to having your extra shoes (or other article Kitty can get to) peed on. Cats sometimes do that if you're away for an extended time, thinking you're lost (That's how cats find each other in the wild)

Answer 4

Leave him home. He'll be much happier, even though he won't be pleased at spending 10 days alone. If you don't have to pay for boarding, that is even better! You don't need to risk him running away on the trip or out of the hotel room. And what if someone else had their cat there, and now there are fleas? Or bedbugs? Oooohhh.... Leave the kitty home!

Answer 5

Most cats hate car rides and being in new locations...you should just leave him at home. If you have food and water in automatic feeders it should be fine at your house alone even if your dad could only check on it once.

Answer 6

Ten days is a long time but it sounds like he will be in goods hands and not do without his essentials except for one thing You.
He may enjoy the three hour trip and seeing you occassionally VS the ten day stay at home alone with no sign of his loving owners face. I'd take Neka (my dog) or I couldn't go myself.

Answer 7

I would leave him home...he won't be happy about you being gone for 10 days but it will be less traumatic for him not being in a car for 3 hours and then locked up in a cramped hotel room

Answer 8

Cats hate cars. They like their own environment. They would stress out less if they stayed home. Maybe a neighbor kid can come over to your house in the morning or at night to check on kitty on the days your dad can't come. The cat gets lonely. I boarded my cat once. He hated it. I've taken him on vacation. He hated that more. He prefers to stay at home and get a vacation of lots of sleep at his own house.

Answer 9

I've heard about people taking their pet camping, camping is more outdoorsy and that way you get to spend time with the cat. Cats don't really travel that well, it sounds like the cat will be just fine at home and that you have everything that he will need at home.

Answer 10

don't take him. cat's hate being in a car and most of them are afraid of new places. there's a good chance that he'll spend a lot of time under the bed at your hotel room, scared.
it would be good for him if your dad would spend a little time with him if he can. play with him or just give him some love and attention. good luck...