Pet Friendly? And my Siamese Cat Came Too!

Pet friendly vacations? Well quite a few people think we are totally off the wall with our love of cats and I suppose taking them on a cat vacation might confirm their views, but now it’s possible but some compromises on your part might be necessary.

More and more hotels, vacation rentals, motels, cottages for holiday rental are becoming more pet oriented and actively encouraging our cats to come too. So lets take them up on their pet friendly vacation offer but wait….

It’s great to have our cats with us but lets look at the practicalities and catches before we sign up to stay with a pet friendly establishment.

A long road trip (if required) to our destination will be stressful for the Siamese if…

• They are not used to travelling by car so get anxious and scared.
• As a result of getting anxious and scared they get car sick and worse.
• It’s either too hot or too cold in our vehicle and we cannot guarantee safe temperatures. Cats cannot sweat all over like us and although they love warmth they can also die quickly in a car parked under the full sun.
• They are allowed to roam ALL over the car or van, this is also dangerous for us and other road users.
• Travelling through regions with extreme temperatures, if you should break down how are you going to keep your cats alive? Better not to take them unless you have contingency plans.
• Your vet can prescribe tranquilizers but this is not so great for the health of your cat. Check that you’re not being selfish and overlooking your cat’s welfare.
• You have to plan to take cat trays, suitable cat carriers or a metal mesh to keep your cat in one part of the car, their favourite foods, dishes, water and remember the rolls of kitchen towel too!
• You have not got them used to wearing a collar (with identity details) or harness so you have some control of them.

The Pet Friendly Accommodation - What to check for when deciding which is the best.

• Do they welcome cats? Check that pet-friendly meant cat-friendly and cats welcome.
• Are the rooms suitable so your cats can be safely confined to one room when required, like when you go in and out of the main door. Can you open the windows safely? Have they really thought through a pet friendly room or is it an afterthought?
• Check there is no chance of staff letting your cat escape.
Make sure you choose pet friendly accommodation that isn’t too delicate – such as upholstered everything – or you may have a stiff bill at the end once he’s sharpened his claws on the drapes or carpet.The sophisticated, dark, designer minimalist look might also suffer from light cat hairs.

Camping

There are exceptions, but camping might not be practical. You must decide.

The fact that the campsite is pet friendly does not mean it is cat suitable! Remember, in wild places, your cats are safe from some hazards but not from predators and the kind of temperature extremes you can experience under canvas. If that’s the type of holiday destination you favour or time of year you have chosen, then you might think again.

So it’s up to you to design your holiday around your cat’s needs and search for a vacation that is great for you as well as your cat.

A Pet Friendly House in the Country

I travelled with four kittens and the mother cat down to a self-catering farm cottage in southern France but this being France, everything was tiled, very practical, and the cats seemed to have a great cat vacation. We had two panics. The first was when one kitten got lost in a bedroom – we found her in the sheets, although they had been checked twice. The second was when the kittens all learned to climb the tiled stairs – while we were out.

However, before renting the house, we did check that there were enough rooms so we could confine them in a single room. When we arrived, we checked the room for kitten-sized hazards.

It was fun and they enjoyed the adventure of new places and new smells. The car had air conditioning, and we had several cat carriers. And again, this being France, there was no problem taking them into the restaurant rather than being left in the car (France is very pet friendly).

We did however leave behind two cat trays filled with cat litter in the parking of a MacDonald’s so no, we’re not perfect.

Flying with your Siamese Cat

There have been some unpleasant stories of poor treatment of animals by airlines. Apparently some airlines allow cats to be taken with you as long as the container can slide under the seat. I would strongly recommend you try to book with an airline that allows cats in the cabin, if at all possible.

Of course a Siamese can have quite a voice, so I have to let you weigh the pros and cons if flying is part of your travel plan.

Sailing – Don’t Fall Overboard!

Many full-time around-the-world cruisers have a cat on board. Many live on barges also.You know if your cat can keep out of trouble. You can also get life jackets that will fit your cats – they look so cute in them! This might work if your cat is already used to a harness. I’m thinking of taking Cumin on short kayak trips around my nearby lake but only if he’s happy with all that water, and being confined aboard a 12-foot long plastic island. I’ll be sure to report back! A life jacket for Cumin and a leash clipped on my own life jacket will ensure that if he falls overboard, we’ll have him back up in no time. My other cats, unfortunately, are simply not laid back enough to enjoy kayaking…

TIP: My suggestion: try smaller, shorter versions of what you plan to do on holiday to acclimatize your Siamese or to see whether what you have in mind is right for your cat’s temperament and happiness.

The Rules

Crossing borders might mean special paperwork for your cats. In Europe, a Pet Passport is now available. So do your homework well ahead of time to plan for vaccinations, passports and other papers.

If you break the rules, deliberately or unintentionally, your cat may be impounded, or worse. Your vet will advise, as will your airline if you’re flying. You can also ask a professional pet carrier if you’re using their service.

So is it worth it?

That’s for you to decide. I know you love your cat and having her with you at all times may seem like a wonderful idea. Just remember – your cat may have another opinion.

Not every pet friendly holiday is suitable for a cat, but with a little planning, most can work out quite well. It might even pay for part of your holiday, once you factor in the cattery or cat boarding fees!

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