Heading out this summer? I won’t lie, I’m a little jealous. That won’t stop me, however, from helping you prep everything cat-related, down to your vacation pet sitter, so your cat thrives while you're away.
You've booked the trip, and now you're picturing your cat sitting alone in a quiet house, wondering where you went. Sound familiar?
Well, that feeling is worth paying attention to. Whether you're away for two days or two weeks, cats can experience real distress when their routines shift, not to mention separation anxiety. The good news: a little intentional planning goes a long way toward keeping your cat settled while you're gone.
Quick answer: A dedicated daily sitter, a well-prepped environment, and a few targeted enrichment tools are the core of a solid vacation plan for your cat. The sections below break each one down.
Start with the Right Vacation Pet Sitter
Leaving extra food out or asking a neighbor to pop in falls short for cats. This really plays into the debunked notion that cats are aloof, solitary animals who see us solely as food dispensing machines. That couldn’t be further from the truth. To that end, a dedicated sitter who comes at least once or twice a day is the better approach. Keeping your cat feeling like routines are still in place and social time is respected is, after all, the job of a pet sitter. That said, I personally opt for a sitter who stays overnight with my pets. It makes me feel better, and definitely goes a long way to keeping your cat’s stress level down and separation anxiety at bay.
The key for a smooth experience for both cat and sitter revolves around what I call “The Three R’s”: routine, ritual and rhythm. A sitter who mirrors your patterns keeps your cat's world intact while you're gone. Before you leave, walk your sitter through feeding times, favorite resting spots, what playtime should look like, and how your cat signals stress (including if they are door dashers!).
Here’s an extra hint: Leave a wand toy ready for each visit. Of course I favor my own toy, The Gotcha! Cat Wand, because it mimics the flight patterns and sound of prey, which means it activates your cat's hunting instinct in a way that counts as real enrichment.
Keep the Environment Working Between Visits
What can you provide so that your cat isn’t bored during the times the sitter isn’t there? Glad you asked. Puzzle feeders, window access ("Cat TV"), and self-activated toys help fill the day. Another hint here is to have your sitter give meals sometimes right before they go, and provide it in a slow feeder or licking mat, like the Mmmeow Mat That turns mealtime into mental engagement rather than a 30-second inhale, and covers the time that they leave the house so it doesn't become an overly anxious moment.
A familiar scent does quiet, steady work when routine shifts. A mat or bed that carries your cat's scent functions as a territorial signpost, something she's soaked her presence into, and that sense of ownership helps her stay settled. The Jackson Galaxy Basic Cat Mat is built for exactly that role. Like I always say, deal them out like a deck of cards! You can’t have enough scent soakers. Also, leaving an unwashed t-shirt or sweatshirt on your bed, the couch, etc is also great - your combined scents bring equal a community scent, again something very important to your cat. Bonus hint: take beds or articles that have your cat’s scent soaked in, put them in a vacuum sealed bag just in case you have to take them on a trip or evacuate.
If your cat benefits from outdoor time, getting her comfortable in a harness before the trip gives your sitter a safe way to offer that enrichment without the risks of unsupervised outdoor access. The Jackson Galaxy x Travel Cat Harness & Leash Set fits that need well. Also, remember to make sure your sitter is comfortable with putting on harnesses and walking cats before offering the idea up!
When the Anxiety Runs Deeper
Some cats go beyond boredom. Over-grooming, appetite changes, or excessive vocalization when you're gone are worth taking seriously. I really recommend using a surveillance camera before you leave to track your cat’s behavior when you are not at home. The Separation Anxiety formula from my solution line is one tool worth considering alongside the behavioral groundwork above. Consult with your vet, however, in case pharmaceutical intervention is needed because of the severity of the behavior and the increased chances for harming themselves.
Watch the full vacation planning video for all of this in context, then set your sitter up for success before you go. And then? Enjoy your vacation!
Light, Love, and Mojo,
Jackson
