The Ultimate Checklist for Cat Owners Leaving on Vacation

7 Essential Tips for Keeping Your Cat Happy and Safe at Home

This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I am very grateful!

Leaving for vacation is exciting, but if you’re a cat owner, ensuring your feline friends are cared for is essential. Cats are creatures of habit and can get stressed when their routine is disrupted. With some thoughtful preparation, you can keep your home cat-friendly and provide peace of mind while you’re away. Here are key steps to prepare your home for vacation when you have cats:

1. Arrange for Cat Care

The first step is deciding who will take care of your cat in your absence. Options include:

• Pet Sitter: Hiring a professional or asking a trusted friend or family member to visit daily ensures your cat gets food, water, and some attention.

• Boarding Facility: If your cat is sociable and adaptable, a reputable boarding facility may be an option. Visit beforehand to ensure it meets your standards.

Make sure your chosen caregiver has clear instructions on your cat’s needs, including feeding schedules, medications, and favorite toys.

2. Stock Up on Supplies

Ensure you have enough supplies to last the duration of your trip, including:

• Cat Food: Provide detailed instructions on portion sizes and feeding times.

• Treats: Churus or orijens are great high-value treats to help your cats get used to a cat sitter!

• Litter: Stock extra litter for cleaning and refills.

• Medications: Leave clear instructions for any required medications.

• Extras: Toys and grooming supplies can help keep your cat comfortable.

3. Prepare the Environment

Cats thrive in a familiar and safe environment. Before you leave, take these steps:

• Clean the Litter Box: Start with a fresh, clean litter box to minimize odors.

• A litter robot can help ensure your cats have a clean bathroom more often than a cat sitter can come by. Dirty litter tends to lead to bathroom accidents so though these automatic litter boxes are expensive, they may be worth it in the end, especially if you have multiple cats. A less pricey but still well-reviewed automatic litter box like this also works well. 

• Secure the Home: Ensure windows and doors are securely closed, and remove hazards like dangling cords or toxic plants.

• Designate Safe Spaces: Leave cozy spots for your cat to retreat to, such as a favorite bed or blanket.

4. Set Up an Automated Routine

If a sitter isn’t visiting daily, automated devices can help maintain your cat’s routine:

• Automatic Feeders: Dispense food on a set schedule.

• This is a highly rated option for dry food

• This feeder for wet food can hold 3 meals worth of food and keep it fresh for 3 days.

For those cats who steal the food of others in a multi-cat household try this option for dry food! 

• Water Fountains: Provide fresh, flowing water to encourage hydration using a fountain like this one or this bigger one for multi-cat households.

• Timers for Lights: Mimic your regular lighting schedule to reduce stress.

5. Leave Emergency Contacts

Provide your sitter or caregiver with a list of emergency contacts, including:

• Your veterinarian’s name and phone number.

• The nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic.

• Your contact information and a backup contact.

• A spare key with a trusted neighbor or family member. 

6. Consider Monitoring

For added peace of mind, consider using technology to check in on your cat:

• Pet Cameras: Monitor your cat’s activity in real-time. I recommend these eufy cameras. If you have a cat sitter be sure to give them a heads up about cameras!

• Temperature Sensors: Monitor the temperature in your home if you are leaving in the cold or summer months to get alerts about changes in temperature that might be dangerous to your cats if there is some kind of outage. I recommend these temperature sensors. 

7. Do a Final Walkthrough and Grooming Session

Before leaving, do a quick home inspection:

• Remove breakable or hazardous items.

• Ensure all escape routes are sealed.

• Test any automated devices to ensure they’re working correctly.

Complete a full grooming session for your cats since grooming like nail trimming and teeth-brushing can be a little tricky for sitters when the pets aren’t as used to them:

• For teeth consider this Cat Toothbrush and Cat Toothpaste

• For nails consider this Cat Nail Trimmer

By planning ahead, you’ll enjoy your trip knowing your feline friend is safe and comfortable. Be sure to test out any new items that you intend your cats to use while you are away so that they can become used to the devices.