Looking after your cats while you are on holiday.

The summer can be a traumatic time for cats. They face trips to the cattery, cat sitters invading their house twice daily or disruption to their routines when the kids are home all day. The Pet Drugs Online vet looks at some solutions to your questions on how to help cats cope with the summer time blues.

Q: While we’re on holiday our cat is going to a local cattery. Is there anything we can do to help her cope?

A: Taking your cat the cattery is very traumatic for both you and your cat. The change of location is compounded by the travel to and from the cattery. To help minimize the distress you can use calming and stress relief products like Zylkene or Feliway Spray. Zylkene is a milk-based food supplement that mimics the enzymes found in their mother’s milk when they were a kitten, so cats feel safer and protected. Given for about a week before any change of situation, it can gradually help put them at ease. Pheromone sprays like Feliway can be used directly in their carrier, the car and their cattery bed to offer an instant additional calming boost.

Q: We have cat sitters come in and feed our while we’re away, but she often misbehaves or sprays. Is there anything I can do?

 A: Cats absolutely hate change or disruption to their routine. It feels like they’re saying “how dare you go on holiday!” when what they're really feeling is insecure. There are steps you can take to help them adjust. Zylkene (as suggested above) can be added to their food. Perhaps even more effective is the use of a pheromone diffuser like Feliway. This fills the room with calming scent that makes them feel safer. Start this a week or so before you go away, so that it is normal by the time you leave. We do also sell a range of cleaners and disinfectants though – just in case!

Q: Is there anything we should treat our cat with before sending them the cattery?

A: In an ideal world you should always keep your cat wormed and treated for fleas – although, let’s be honest, we all lapse at times. But if you know your cat is going to the cattery, it's absolutely essential they have up to date flea treatments, as itching and scratching will only compound any distress felt by your cat during their stay. It may also be worth getting a quick health check from your vet so they can make sure your cat’s vaccinations are up-to-date.

 View our range of cat stress relief products.