Kitty Post: Unsung Heroes: Planning Ahead: Leaving Your Cat When You Travel

Planning Ahead: Leaving Your Cat While You Travel

Whether you’re traveling for work or heading out on vacation, one big question always comes up for cat owners: Who will care for the cats while I’m gone?

For some, like me, the solution is simple—a trusted house and pet sitter stays in my home and cares for my whole crew (cats, dogs, chickens, fish—you name it). But if you only have one or two pets, the decision might not be so clear-cut. Here are some key tips to help you prepare for a stress-free trip—for both you and your cats:

Before You Go: Prep Like a Pro

• Stock Up: Leave more food, litter, and supplies than your cats will need. Don’t forget toys, treats, and medications.

• Clean Bowls Ready: Set out extra clean food and water bowls for your sitter to use.

• Emergency Info: Leave a list with your vet’s number, a trusted backup contact, and a note authorizing your pet sitter to approve care if needed. Confirm in writing that you’ll cover any veterinary costs.

• Detailed Instructions: Outline your cat’s daily routine—feeding times, litter box cleaning, preferred lights or radio settings, favorite hiding spots, etc.

Sitter Expectations Matter

Some cats may be okay alone overnight, but if you’ll be gone more than 24 hours, someone should check in daily—ideally twice a day. In addition to feeding and litter box duties, cats need companionship too.

Make it clear you expect the sitter to spend real time with your pets—at least an hour or two a day. Having a human presence helps ease loneliness and stress, especially for social or bonded cats.

            Your sitter could be a friend or neighbor, a professional pet sitter, or a trusted person from your workplace or community. Whoever you choose, be upfront about how often they should visit and how much time they should stay. Show them where everything is—and feel free to leave a few snacks and the Wi-Fi password to make their time easier.

Why Home Is Best

It may be tempting to board your cat at a kennel or take them to a friend’s house—but cats are creatures of habit. Being moved to an unfamiliar place, even temporarily, can be very stressful. If you do opt for boarding, check if extra vaccinations or paperwork are required.

Keeping your cat in their own space with familiar smells, sounds, and routines is almost always the better choice.

Interested in Learning More?

Two quick, cat-savvy videos worth watching:

• Jackson Galaxy (host of My Cat From Hell) shares expert advice on cat care while you're away.

• Kitten Lady offers a great video: “Tips for Traveling When You Have Cats!”

Check them out before your next trip—you and your cats will be glad you did!

Kitten Crisis Alert – We Need You!

Beltsville Community Cats (BCC) is overwhelmed this kitten season—and we’re not alone. Shelters and rescues across the area are bursting at the seams, and we urgently need foster homes to help save lives.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time to step up. Whether you're looking for a little extra joy, a way to break out of the routine, or just love the idea of kitten cuddles, fostering might be perfect for you. It’s a short-term commitment with huge impact—you provide the love, food and litter, and we take care of all the medical bills.

Not sure you're ready? Sign up for vacation fostering—host a cat or kitten while someone else takes a break. It’s a great way to test the waters.

Ready to open your heart and home? It will be a life-saving experience for the kitties and a life-changing experience for you.