What to do with our cat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any space in the Air BnB like a laundry room or large bathroom?

My friend fosters kittens and she keeps them quarantined in a bathroom for the first week so your cat will likely be fine with that too. Just make sure she has her supplies in there.

Laundry room or basement would be ideal. I'd be very worried about her scratching the furniture or urinating from stress.

[Anonymous]

Can you get a very large kennel cage that can hold litter pan? She can stay in that among family, not stuck in a bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you get a very large kennel cage that can hold litter pan? She can stay in that among family, not stuck in a bathroom.

In my experience, cats would rather be in a small room, free, than in a cage. The smallest bathroom is about as big as the largest crate, and the cat's sense of freedom isn't nearly as impeded. Most dogs can do fine in a crate. I've only known a few very laid back cats who can do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: how are people here so awful? I was just asking for those who have more experience, this is our first cat and I’ve heard cats do not do well in strange places. For those who have helpful responses, thank you. For those who suggested I’m an idiot or I’m thinking of giving up my cat (?!) - get a life!!

I mean, consider where you posted - this is the forum where people routinely talk about giving up or killing their pets, and are encouraged on by this disturbingly pet-hating group of people. You did not make clear in your original post which options you were considering. It's just history that makes us think you could be considering something awful.

You've gotten very helpful advice. Hopefully you can use it! Good luck with your floors.

Oh! I’m on DCUM a lot but only once or twice in the pet forum so I didn’t know that. I was expecting advice like some of what I got and was only considering two options: 1) taking her with us and making her somehow comfortable without ruining the furniture or 2) boarding her somewhere that would be comfortable for her. I’m leaning toward trying #1. She’s a pretty chill cat so maybe she’ll be ok. She does scratch some of our furniture and the doors when she wants to get out or in. But clipping her nails before we go is a good idea. I do NOT think confining her to a room will work. She likes being with people (even when guests come over!). And if we try to keep her in or out when she doesn’t went to be, she scratches the doors. All of our doors have claw marks. Maybe I’ll bring some of that spray so she won’t scratch the doors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: how are people here so awful? I was just asking for those who have more experience, this is our first cat and I’ve heard cats do not do well in strange places. For those who have helpful responses, thank you. For those who suggested I’m an idiot or I’m thinking of giving up my cat (?!) - get a life!!

Put the cat in a kennel/cat hotel. Or chance the Air B n B. This isn't rocket science.

[Anonymous]

We were able to take our indoor cats to a family vacation home.

They hated the long car rides (12 hour one day drive). But they were better behaved at the vacation home than at our usual home. Mainly because it was unfamiliar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: how are people here so awful? I was just asking for those who have more experience, this is our first cat and I’ve heard cats do not do well in strange places. For those who have helpful responses, thank you. For those who suggested I’m an idiot or I’m thinking of giving up my cat (?!) - get a life!!

I mean, consider where you posted - this is the forum where people routinely talk about giving up or killing their pets, and are encouraged on by this disturbingly pet-hating group of people. You did not make clear in your original post which options you were considering. It's just history that makes us think you could be considering something awful.

You've gotten very helpful advice. Hopefully you can use it! Good luck with your floors.

Oh! I’m on DCUM a lot but only once or twice in the pet forum so I didn’t know that. I was expecting advice like some of what I got and was only considering two options: 1) taking her with us and making her somehow comfortable without ruining the furniture or 2) boarding her somewhere that would be comfortable for her. I’m leaning toward trying #1. She’s a pretty chill cat so maybe she’ll be ok. She does scratch some of our furniture and the doors when she wants to get out or in. But clipping her nails before we go is a good idea. I do NOT think confining her to a room will work. She likes being with people (even when guests come over!). And if we try to keep her in or out when she doesn’t went to be, she scratches the doors. All of our doors have claw marks. Maybe I’ll bring some of that spray so she won’t scratch the doors?

Yeah, sorry - this is just a nasty forum. I usually avoid it.

If the Airbnb allows pets, they know that some pet damage is inevitable - I would say do your best and build into your budget that you may have to pay a damage fee. Spraying with water is a good idea if the cat is getting into the wrong things - but also your cat is going to be very stressed out already, and you don't want to really traumatize them while you're in the rental. Bring scratching posts, lots of treats and some familiar smelling things. And do your best.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for bringing cat, and confining it to a bathroom or laundry room when you are not supervising. Put litter box etc in there. Let cat out regularly to play etc while you supervise. Probably easier on the cat than being sent to board somewhere, IMO!

When we got a rescue cat, we kept him in a bathroom a lot of the time for the first 5 days or so (while slowly introducing him to our other cat in small doses). He was fine. We played with him a lot when home, and he was cozy in there himself the rest of the time. He had a litter box in one corner & a bed & water in the other corner.

[Anonymous]

I would throw some covers over the areas she’s forbidden in the air b&b - you can buy sofa protectors on Amazon. It’ll help that you’ll all be together.

[Anonymous]

Are the floors getting refinished everywhere in your house? If the cat would be confined to a bathroom at the rental anyway, why not confine it to a bathroom at home and hire a cat sitter to come once a day? You could save the cat a trip in the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You bring the cat and hope for the best. Get her nails trimmed at the vet the day before. Bring several tape type lint brushes to the rental and use them on the furniture before you check out. It will be fine. Don't board her anywhere: being in a cage for 10+ days will traumatize her more than 2 rides will.
P.S. Ask you vet for 2 doses of prazosin or some medicine to give her ahead of the car rides.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you get a very large kennel cage that can hold litter pan? She can stay in that among family, not stuck in a bathroom.

In my experience, cats would rather be in a small room, free, than in a cage. The smallest bathroom is about as big as the largest crate, and the cat's sense of freedom isn't nearly as impeded. Most dogs can do fine in a crate. I've only known a few very laid back cats who can do the same.

I agree.

If the Airbnb has a laundry room or a mudroom or the like, that would be ideal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bring the cat, and confine it to one room (probably the bathroom, since there's less to mess up in there). The cat may be unhappy, but it will be happier doing this than being boarded somewhere else.

I've kept strays in a small bathroom for over a week. They may meow a bit at first, but they'll settle down. And you'll have a friend every time you need to pee!

This is the best advise so far in this conversation.

[Anonymous]

Take the cat with you OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the floors getting refinished everywhere in your house? If the cat would be confined to a bathroom at the rental anyway, why not confine it to a bathroom at home and hire a cat sitter to come once a day? You could save the cat a trip in the car.

Don't do this. The fumes from the refinishing will be really bad. Plus you don't want a cat sitter walking through your freshly finished floors while they are drying.