If you are anything like me, then you can’t imagine your life without cats. They are part of our family and it feels wrong to leave them behind when we head on vacation. But what should you do with your cat? Thankfully, there are many options for taking care of your furry friend while you are away, including hiring a pet sitter or using an automatic feeder. Here’s some tips for making sure your kitty is well taken care of while you’re away.
Leaving your Ragdoll cat at home
Your Ragdoll cat will be happiest at home if you can’t bring it with you on vacation. Make sure you never leave a kitten alone for more than 12 hours, whereas an adult Ragdoll cat can stay alone for up to 24 hours. Make sure it has access to two bowls of fresh water and enough dry food to eat while you’re gone. Do not leave out wet food, as it could spoil and make your cat sick.
If you will be gone for an extended period of time, consider hiring a pet sitter to come by daily to check on your pet. There are heaps of websites that make it easy for you to find a pet sitter in your areas such as petsitter.com, www.trustedhousesitters.com, and meowtel.com to name just a few. Many of these platforms offer vetted and insured pet sitters so you can be assured your feline friend, and home, is in safe hands.
If this is not an option, ask a friend to take on this responsibility. Regardless of who takes care of your pet, they should visit at least twice a day.
Instruct your pet sitter to spend time comforting and loving your Ragdoll cat, as well as playing, feeding, watering, and cleaning the litter box. Always leave written instructions and the phone number of your veterinarian in an accessible place.
Boarding your cat
When boarding is your only option, try to find a reputable boarding facility that will provide you with several references. Check out the references carefully before trusting your Ragdoll cat to them. Visit the boarding facility in advance to make sure it is clean and comfortable before leaving your Ragdoll there. A clean and well-run cattery should not have a strong litter box odor. There is a danger of disease transmission between animals when boarding, so be sure that the facility you choose requires all cats have health certificates with up-to-date vaccinations to protect your Ragdoll. Find out how to choose the best cat boarding facility for your cat.
Taking your Ragdoll cat along
Many Ragdolls have been successfully trained to be fantastic travelers, whether by motor home, automobile, or airline. If traveling with your Ragdoll is in your future plans, accustom it early to being out and about with you in public places. Train your Ragdoll to walk on a harness and leash from being a kitten. You can read our guide on how to do this here.
Take your Ragdoll for rides in the car and take it to visit neighbors and friends. This helps train your Ragdoll to be comfortable in unfamiliar situations. The more exposure your Ragdoll has to different environments, the more relaxed and enjoyable it will be as a travel companion. Just a heads up: Don’t leave your Ragdoll or other pet in the car on a hot day, as they can get heatstroke really quickly.
When traveling with your Ragdoll Cat make sure to pack its regular litter, food, and water to prevent bouts of diarrhoea. Don’t forget to bring along its favorite toys and blanket or bed, as well as its grooming tools. Make arrangements to stay at accommodations that welcome pets. We’ve done all the hard work for you and put together a handy list of the best cat friendly hotels worldwide. A quick call to the hotel in advance is essential to be advised of their most up to date pet policy. Some hotels may charge a pet fee.
As soon as you enter your hotel accommodation make sure you hang the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door to make sure no staff member accidentally lets your cat out of the room. Don’t leave your cat alone in an unfamiliar place for too long and be prepared that your cat’s sleep schedule may get disrupted if you’re vacationing in a different time zone.
Follow all of these suggestions, and you will thoroughly enjoy taking your Ragdoll along on vacation.
