Planning for travel can be stressful, especially when it comes to deciding how to care for your cat while you're away. You might be wondering, out of all of the pet care options available, which would your cat prefer? While life would be much easier if your kitty could just talk to you, (and tell you who their favorite sitter is), cats can't communicate in such a straightforward way. However, experts have learned what your kitty may prefer, and what they need to be comfortable based on their behavior. To help you choose what's best for you and your kitty, we've gathered valuable tips and advice from Purina's expert in animal behavior, Dr. Sandra Lyn.
Cats have very different needs than dogs
Q: What are some differences that are highlighted by their at-home behaviors?
A: Most cats will need to get their exercise inside the home as opposed to outside the home. Designing or decorating one's home with this in mind or seeking out toys that promote exercise is key to helping cats get exercise not only for their physical but also their cognitive and emotional health. Creating a daily routine for play is not only a fun way to reinforce the bond between people and their cats but it is a great way to provide exercise. Having an established area for play can help your cat to communicate when they wish to play. If they are going to that area and looking at you, then it is a good chance they wish to play and play specifically with you instead of on their own.
Toileting is also something cats do inside versus outside the home. Like us, cats prefer clean and non-threatening or non-erratic places to eliminate. Instead of thinking only about where to conveniently put their litter box, consider how you would feel and even how your elimination behaviors would change if your bathroom was set-up in a less than ideal manner. Would you go more or less frequently? Would you hold it until you absolutely need to go? Providing your cat with a clean and comfortable space for their litter box, with preferred litter, is one of the ways you can support their overall health and wellbeing.
Tip: Many cat sitters on Meowtel offer litter box scooping as well as plenty of playtime to help keep your kitty's needs well taken care of.
Cats Generally Prefer Their Routines
Q: Why is in-home care the superior solution for cats?
A: Keeping cats in their home is almost always going to be the best solution because they remain in their territory, and they can more or less keep to their routines.
Pet Boarding
Q: What are the downsides to boarding or putting your kitty in a cat hotel while you travel?
A: Boarding cats means taking them away from their home, their own territory, their routines and without their consent. All of this means they don't have control over the decision and as cat owners know, cats really do best when they have some control over their environment and their decisions. Being away from home and in a novel environment with so many new things to adjust to can be quite stressful for cats. Not only when they are at the boarding facility but also when they return home. This is especially true for cats that have not been socialized for out of home experiences.
Understanding Your Cat's Behavior When You're Away
Q: What are typical behaviors cats can exhibit while their owners are away? We are no stranger to stressed out kitties, but what else could possibly occur?
A: Some expected changes in behaviors when cats are separated from their owners for an extended period of time include behaviors indicative of separation anxiety, changes in feeding behavior, food consumption, elimination behavior, hiding and activity levels.
Ready to ensure your kitty's comfort while you're away? Find a cat sitter on Meowtel today!
