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Planning an extended vacation anywhere is exciting, but leaving an indoor cat behind can bring plenty of worry.  Cats may seem independent, yet they still need daily care, companionship, and reassurance.  With the right preparation, you can enjoy your trip knowing your cat is safe and comfortable at home.

For most indoor cats, remaining in familiar surroundings is less stressful than staying at a boarding facility.  Your cat already knows every hiding place, window, sound, and scent in the house.  However, that does not mean a cat should be left completely alone for two weeks, even with automatic feeders and water fountains. 

Here are some do’s and don’ts when leaving your furry roommate for an extended period of time.

The Do’s

Arrange for a dependable cat sitter.  Ask a trusted friend, relative, neighbor, or professional sitter to visit at least once every day.  Twice-daily visits are even better for cats that are older, take medication, or enjoy plenty of human attention.  My daughter and her husband had a friend staying in their home so their cats would have someone to sleep with.

Make sure to leave detailed instructions.  Write down your cat’s feeding schedule, medication needs, favorite hiding places, and normal behavior.  Include your veterinarian’s phone number, the nearest emergency clinic, your travel itinerary, and a way to contact you overseas.

Before leaving make sure to prepare plenty of supplies.  Stock enough food, litter, medication, treats, and cleaning supplies to last longer than your planned vacation.  Flight delays happen, so providing several extra days’ worth is wise.  My sister-in-law rations out the food for each and leaves clear instructions on who gets what because not all pets are the same.

Provide multiple water sources.  A water fountain is helpful, but it could stop working, spill or lose power.  Place extra bowls of fresh water in different parts of the house as a backup.  At least one of my sister-in-law’s dogs likes to drink out of the toilet, so I always make sure it is flushed and clean.

Keep the litter boxes clean.  Provide at least one litter box per cat, plus an additional box if possible.  If you little boxes are not automatic, ask the sitter to scoop them every day and watch for changes in your cat’s bathroom habits.

Give your cat entertainment.  Leave safe toys, scratching posts, window perches, and comfortable sleeping areas available.  Your sitter should also spend time playing with or quietly sitting beside your cat.

Consider using a pet camera.  A camera can help you check on your cat and provide peace of mind.  It should supplement personal visits, however, not replace them.

The Don’ts

Don’t leave your cat completely alone.  Automatic feeders can jam, water bowls can spill, and cats can become sick or injured.  Someone needs to physically check your cat every day.

Don’t make sudden food or litter changes.  Your departure is already a change in their routine.  Keep your cat’s regular food, feeding times, and preferred litter whenever possible.

Don’t leave unsafe toys unattended.  Put away string, yarn, ribbon, feather wands, and anything else your cat could swallow or become tangled in.  Don’t forget about the cords from the blinds or curtains.

Don’t allow accidental escapes.  Remind the sitter to carefully check doors and windows.  If your cat is microchipped, make sure your contact information is current before leaving.

Don’t hide important information.  Tell the sitter about medical problems, unusual habits, or areas where your cat commonly hides.  Even small details could matter during an emergency.  My oldest son has two indoor cats that I have taken care of.  I can tell you that even knowing where they hide, can still be troubling to the sitter.  Cats are good hiders.

Leaving your indoor cat while traveling can be emotional, but careful planning makes the separation easier for everyone.  With dependable daily care, familiar routines, and a safe home environment, your cat can remain comfortable while you enjoy your adventure.