Going on holiday and not sure what to do with your cat? The main options are leaving it at home with visits from a trusted carer, hiring an in-home cat sitter or taking it to a cattery. Each option has different advantages depending on your cat's temperament, how many days you will be away and its health.
Cats are deeply territorial: home is their refuge and their routine is their security. That is why, unlike dogs, most cats cope much better staying in their own environment than being moved. In this guide we go through each alternative, what to prepare before you leave and how to tell if your cat is struggling, so your holiday is not a source of stress for either of you.
Can I leave my cat alone at home? For how many days?
A healthy, balanced adult cat can stay home alone for a maximum of 24 to 48 hours with enough food, water and litter trays. Beyond that, someone should always drop by daily. The idea that "cats are independent and can manage a week alone" is a dangerous myth: even if it does not crave company like a dog, it needs fresh water, food in good condition, a clean tray and supervision in case it falls ill or has an accident.
As a general reference:
- 1-2 days: it can stay alone if you leave everything ready (several water points, food, litter trays).
- 3 days or more: it needs at least one daily visit from a carer to refill water and food, clean the litter tray and check that it is fine.
- Kittens, senior or sick cats (diabetes, kidney problems, medication): they need daily care from day one, no exceptions.
Hiring an in-home cat sitter
For most cats, the in-home sitter is the best option when you are away for several days: the animal does not leave its territory and keeps its routine, while someone trustworthy takes care of its well-being. It can be a relative, a neighbour or a professional pet carer.
What a good sitter should do on each visit:
- Refill fresh water and food, checking that the previous food has not spoiled in the heat.
- Clean the litter tray (a dirty tray is one of the main reasons a cat stops using it).
- Spend some time on play and company, if the cat accepts it.
- Check its general condition: that it eats, drinks, urinates and defecates normally and shows no signs of illness.
- Give medication if your cat needs it (make sure they know how to do it).
If you are looking for a professional sitter in Cantabria, ask for references, value experience with cats and, if your cat takes medication or has a condition, confirm they are comfortable administering it. Always leave your contact details and your vet's in writing.
Cattery vs. in-home sitter: which is better?
There is no single answer: it depends on the cat. The table below sums up the main differences to help you decide.
| Aspect | In-home sitter | Cattery |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Its usual home, no travel stress | A new place, needs adapting |
| Routine | Stays intact | Changes (schedules, space, smells) |
| Supervision | Occasional (one or two visits a day) | Continuous during the day |
| Contact with other cats | None | Possible (depending on the facility) |
| Ideal for | Most cats, especially homebodies and shy ones | Very sociable cats or ones needing constant supervision |
In general terms, for a cat the least stressful option is usually staying at home with visits. A cattery can suit very sociable cats, or when the animal needs closer supervision for its health and no one can guarantee it at home. If you choose a cattery, visit it beforehand, check hygiene, that cats are kept apart from dogs and that they require an up-to-date vaccination record.
“Cats dislike change: they're almost always calmer at home with a carer than in a new place. And a check-up before you leave prevents many scares.”
What to prepare before you leave
Good preparation avoids most scares. Before you go, have ready:
- Water in several spots around the house, ideally in wide bowls or a fountain; in summer it evaporates and gets dirty faster.
- Enough well-preserved food. In the heat, dry food keeps better than wet; if you leave wet food, let the sitter serve it.
- Clean, spare litter trays (the rule is one tray per cat plus an extra one).
- A cool, ventilated environment: leave a shaded room, without the cat being shut in the sun, at a stable temperature.
- Its usual toys, scratchers and hiding spots, so it keeps its reference points.
- Written instructions for the sitter: feeding routine, medication, the cat's quirks and your vet's and the emergency service's phone numbers.
Signs of stress in cats during the holidays
Stress is the main consequence of poorly managed holidays. You and the sitter should both be able to spot it. The most common signs are:
- It stops eating or eats much less than usual.
- It urinates or defecates outside the litter tray.
- It hides constantly and avoids contact.
- It over-grooms, sometimes to the point of bald patches.
- It meows more than usual, seems apathetic or, conversely, irritable.
A cat that stops eating for more than 24 hours or does not urinate is always a reason to see the vet, not only because of the fast itself but because in cats it can trigger serious liver problems. At any of these signs, the sitter should contact the vet.
When to see the vet before the holidays
A pre-holiday check-up is the best way to leave with peace of mind, especially if your cat is elderly, has a chronic condition or takes medication. At that visit the vet can check its general condition, adjust treatments, make sure deworming and vaccines are up to date (essential if it is going to a cattery) and give you clear guidance for the sitter.
Discuss each specific case with your vet; the recommendations depend on the age, weight, health status and history of each animal.
Frequently asked questions about cat care during the holidays
How many days can a cat be left alone at home?
A healthy adult cat can be left alone for a maximum of 24-48 hours with enough food, water and litter trays. From the third day it needs at least one daily visit from a carer. Kittens, senior or sick cats need daily care from day one.
Is a cattery or an in-home sitter better?
For most cats, staying at home with an in-home sitter is the least stressful, because they do not leave their territory or change their routine. A cattery can suit very sociable cats or ones that need continuous supervision for their health.
What do I leave ready if I go away for a weekend?
Leave fresh water in several spots, enough well-preserved dry food, and one litter tray per cat plus an extra, all clean. Keep a cool, ventilated room and its usual toys and hiding spots. Even so, ideally someone should drop by to check it is fine.
How do I know if my cat is stressed?
The most common signs are refusing food, urinating or defecating outside the tray, hiding constantly, over-grooming or meowing more than usual. If your cat stops eating for more than 24 hours or does not urinate, contact the vet immediately.
Prepare your cat's holidays with Clínica Veterinaria Somo
At Clínica Veterinaria Somo, in Somo (Cantabria), we can give your cat a pre-holiday check-up, make sure its deworming and vaccines are up to date and give you guidance for whoever looks after it while you are away. And if any emergency arises in your absence, your carer can rely on our 24-hour emergency service. Book on 942 51 00 66 or through our contact page.
