Unsure what to do when you travel?

Travel time can be very stressful for your cat, whether he or she travels with you, or stays at home.

Cats like routine and anything out of the ordinary can cause stress and anxiety. Your cat could also display symptoms of unhappiness.

According to renowned cat therapist, Carole C. Wilbourn, a cat’s stress target will be the most vulnerable part of their body (each cat is different) and travel time stress can manifest in a medical as well as an emotional or behavioral problem.

If your cat’s most vulnerable part of the body is the coat or skin, the unhappiness with travel can manifest in shedding clumps of hair or a skin disorder. Or your cat’s vulnerable portion of the body may be the bladder, with a resulting bladder or kidney infection causing discomfort. In any case, the medical problem needs to be addressed simultaneously with the emotional problem of travel.

If you are traveling with your cat, perhaps a tranquilizer will be necessary. Your veterinarian can determine which dosage would be best in your cat’s particular situation.

If you are leaving your cat at home, make sure he or she has human companionship at intervals throughout your travel. Because they are creatures of habit and are used to your companionship, they will feel abandoned. Even if they ignore your substitute companion, they will be less stressed and will remain healthier.

Ms. Wilbourn suggests that, if your cat currently takes daily medication, you increase your cat’s maintenance dosage of medication (with your veterinarian’s guidance) a few days before you leave and again a few days after your return home. Increased dosages may also be indicated if you have houseguests for several days, as your cat may feel neglected.

Cat's may also "act out" while you are gone, and exhibit unbecoming behavior they normally would not exhibit. For instance, a cat may feel abandoned when you go away for any length of time and may deposit a "present" someplace personal to you (possibly your pillow or favorite easy chair.) Your cat isn't being naughty for the sake of being naughty. Don't punish your cat for this - they are simply trying to communicate with you in the only way they know how.