Usually, it's not feasible to take your cat on holiday with you. Cats can become stressed with travel, transport, and changes in their environment and routine. Therefore, it is preferable to make arrangements for the care of your cat while you are away.
We don't recommend leaving your cat alone longer than 24 hours because cats are social creatures that need their owner's attention to feel safe and comfortable. They rely on you to make sure all of their care requirements are being met.
If your cat is confident and spends a lot of time outside, it may be better to let them stay at home. Quieter, more nervous cats may feel like they've been left alone, and visits from people they don't know at random times could potentially add to their anxiety.
Regardless of their reputation, cats do get lonely when they are left unattended for long periods of time. Research proves that cats are social beings that form strong bonds with their owners. Do cats get sad when you leave? Short answer: yes.
Like many other animals, cats are social and enjoy the presence of their owner and/or other cats. When you go on vacation and leave your cat alone, it can increase the risk that they'll become lonely from the isolation—especially if you're taking a long trip.
No matter how independent your cat is, we do not recommend leaving your cat alone without daily visits from a friend or a professional cat-sitter for more than two or three days. Today, there are many options to care for your cat while you are away. Keep in mind that, cats tend to be independent, territorial animals.
Most cats don't have much experience with traveling, and when they do, it isn't positive, so it makes sense why many cats are not fans of traveling. Although travel can be stressful, there is a lot you can do to make traveling and carriers less stressful and even enjoyable for your cat(s)!
Vacations are meant to be fun for people, but due to the change in routine, they can, unfortunately, be a cause of stress for cats and result in behavior problems and separation anxiety. Cat behavior problems can occur during the owner's absence, while being transported, or when the owner returns.
Though they may seem antisocial at times, the fact of the matter is that your cat LOVES you, and really hates it when you're gone. Leaving your kitty alone for an extended period of time will likely cause serious anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior.
Arrange homecare with a friend, neighbour or professional pet sitter – This is the ideal scenario, so your cat's routine doesn't change too much, and they have someone to hang out with. Your sitter could either provide live-in care, or twice-daily visits.
Emotionally, a cat might miss its human when she's gone, but he has more basic needs to worry about. With the sitter, these will be met, so there's no use in overthinking the situation for him. He's part of a species that set its own terms for domestication—you're likely underestimating him.
Even though cats are pretty self-sufficient, you shouldn't leave your cat home alone for more than 2-3 days maximum. If you have a young kitten, an older cat, or a solo cat, that time should be more like 1-2 days but you know your cat(s) the best.
Nicky recommends never leaving your cat to their own devices for more than 24 hours. “A cat left home alone for long periods could get into all sorts of trouble with no one there to help them or rush them to a vet,” she says.
Upon Your Return From Vacation
While you're ready for the reunion, don't be disappointed if your cat doesn't immediately reciprocate. It can take some cats a few days to readjust to the "new" situation, even though it's just a return to normalcy.
If your kitty is quite used to being around you most of the time and that changes, your cat may experience separation anxiety. In general, cats aren't big fans of change at all, and a change such as you being gone for hours at a time when they're used to being around you can be distressing.
“Cats are creatures of habit, and when their people leave or if they are boarded, it can be highly disruptive,” says Taylor Truitt, DVM, CEO of The Vet Set in Brooklyn, New York. “When you return home, they [usually] are confused by yet another change of habit and the new smells you bring in.
Do cats miss us when we are gone? Although most cats are habituated with solitude, they may show signs of being happy when they return home. While gone, they may not show any anxiety for separation since cats are pretty self-dependent. But if they act overjoyed on being reunited, the cats surely missed you when gone.
They are lonely
Though they act tough and independent, cats know that their safety and comfort is up to their human. Even having a pet sitter come in to tend to your cat – feeding, play, general socialization – can decrease your cat's sense of separation anxiety while you are away.
You may think that your upcoming travel plans won't affect your cat, but it's actually quite common for cats to get separation anxiety. Learn to recognize the signs of cat anxiety and follow our tips to help your cat cope while you're enjoying a well-deserved vacation.
While a feline won't miss their owner as much as a dog might, your cat can still struggle to adjust whenever you're away. When you return, your kitty may meow and want to cuddle, or they might be standoffish and ignore you. In both cases, your cat is showing you that they missed you while you were on vacation!
Some cats may feel stressed when they are left alone, especially after COVID-19 lockdowns, but there's lots you can do to help them. Although cats are usually quite happy to spend time in their own company, they can experience separation-related issues and loneliness when their owner is not home.
You don't want to go too long in the car without stopping and giving them the option to get out. I would plan to stop max every 3 hours but also listen to your cats needs. If they're getting restless stop earlier for them. Give them water, food, and maybe even offer them the litter box.
Line your cat carrier with familiar and comforting bedding - use something they usually sleep on or an old piece of clothing that has your scent. Covering the cat carrier with a blanket or towel may also help keep your cat relaxed.
Your cat needs access to water and litter, and anything more than six hours is a bit unfair. To give your cat a little more room, try a large dog crate. This way, they can move around and access water and litter as needed, and they're still contained so you don't have to worry about them roaming around your car.
If you need to leave for two or three days, a full week, or longer, you should make sure someone is coming over to care for your cat daily. If you leave your cat alone for too long it can cause boredom, stress, separation anxiety, and unwanted behavior – not to mention the risk of accidents or illness.