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We hope everyone had a fantastic Easter and completely over-indulged as we did!

With school holidays now upon us, this is often the time when families head away for a break.  Whilst some people chose to take their dogs with them, this is not the ideal scenario for our feline friends.  Often when we go away, our kitties are having their own “holiday” in a boarding facility so we know they are safe and sound.  Going somewhere new and unfamiliar can sometimes be quite stressful for our fur babies, but there are some important things we can do to make the transition a little easier.

The first step involves the cat carrier (yes, we can all imagine at this point the image of that cat with outstretched legs, trying every possible manoeuvre to avoid being bundled into that “horrible” box!).  There are certain steps we can take to actually make the carrier box a nice place to be and one in which your kitty will feel secure;

• Leave the carry box in a familiar place at home, ideally in a room where your cat spends a lot of time.
• Place familiar, soft bedding in the carry box, such as a favourite rug or a worn item of your clothing. Alternatively you can wipe a soft cloth around your cat’s face to pick up their scent and put this in the carry box.
• Place things that your cat loves inside the carry box such as some favourite treats or toys.
• Spray the carry box and contents with Feliway Spray at least half an hour before you go. Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone that can help to reduce anxiety in cats. You can purchase Feliway from our reception.

Bear in mind it may take days to weeks before your cat takes to entering the carrier willingly. Ensure to remain patient, calm and reward all desired behaviours.  If you have to leave in a hurry prior to getting your kitty accustomed to their carrier,  try to get him/her in safely and gently at the first try.  Have the carrier close by but out of sight from your cat. Wrap your cat in a thick towel, preferably one which smells familiar and gently place them and the towel in the carry box quickly so that they cannot grab the edges of carrier and get into a struggle, escape and then not be caught again that day!

Once you are on your way, there are some more important considerations to keep your kitty as relaxed as possible;

• keep the carry box covered with a towel or cloth for the duration of your journey as this will help keep your cat calm.
• Secure the carrier in the foot well behind the front seat or loop the seat belt around the carry box.
• Drive carefully so that your cat is not thrown around in the car. Refrain from playing loud alarming music!
• Talk quietly and reassuringly and stay calm yourself, cats are great at picking up tension from their owners!
• Some cats may vomit or soil the carry box during the journey, so taking some spare bedding may be useful.
• Try to avoid rushing and bumping the carry box against your legs as you carry it.

Once at the “holiday” destination, it is always nice to be able to leave something that smells like home.  Blankets, bedding or an item of worn clothing is often a nice comfort for your kitty.  If they have any favourite toys, these are also great to take along.  Remember that if your cat is on a prescription diet or any regular medications, these will need to be labelled well and also taken with you.

If you are looking for accommodation for your beloved feline companion, we do still have some condos available over the holiday period, please call reception for details.

We wish you all a safe and happy school holidays!

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