At one time I lived in Dundee and was back and forth to a remote island off Shetland. My cat used to stop eating when I went so I started taking it with me, along with the dog. It was a half day's drive to Aberdeen, a very stormy 14 hour voyage to Lerwick, then a day hanging around Lerwick for the teatime boat over to the island. So about 32 hours, horrible weather and two crossings. But my cat was still far happier to be with me than left at home.
But taking them to France, is it the same as with a dog? Injections, a pet passport and a visit to the vet before returning? I'm not sure I could be bothered with all that.
Personally, if you have 3 sets of neighbours willing to feed your cats, I would leave them at home, especially if your holiday is only for 2 or 3 weeks. I think that cats (unlike dogs) are happiest in the surroundings they know and, normally, don't really miss their owners too much! There are exceptions, of course, but, if your cats are healthy when you have returned from previous holidays, then, I would keep them at home.
It is a long way over to France and, as the OP, has said, it would be a big hassle with Pet Passports too. In the past, when we lived in the UK, we always left our cats at home with a friend or neighbour organised to feed daily and we have always come home to healthy cats and a big purry welcome!
So, I wouldn't put your cats through the trauma of travelling if you don't have to and be happy in the knowledge that you're doing the best for them.
We divide our times between the UK and France and our cat comes with us every time. He hardly seems to miss a beat when he finds himself in different places. He seems to know which house has the cat door, which one doesn't, where his food bowls are, where his cat acquaintances live, etc, etc. Of course he can't say so but he seems perfectly happy with the arrangement!
He travels in a big cage (large dog size) which fills the back of our MPV and which has his cushion, litter tray and food dishes and we make sure it is placed quite high up with the luggage underneath so he can see us and the passing scenery. The only time he gets a bit fed-up is if we travel at night and there isn't anything to see. He does need a pet passport and I have to take him to the local vet for the France to UK run (tick and tapeworm treatment, about €35) but other than that it is a pretty painless trip. We did get some tranquillisers from the vet for his first few trips but he never needs those now. The trip, including one of the longer ferry crossings is about 20 to 24 hours but with the large cage he doesn't even need to come out for the UK to France run and only to have his micro-chip scanned when we go from France to the UK.
Our cats regularly travel back and forward between France and Germany and have no problem adapting to the new environment, BUT they do spend roughly 50% of their time in each locations so they probably can regard both as home.
If it were a one off 3 week trip I would probably advise against but if it is 3 weeks say every 3 months, then maybe it would be worth a try.
Hi
You asked the question......answer is, I think, you haven't missed anything out.
I think, you didn't really want to hear any other answer to your original question, which was:
"I just wondered what people think of taking their cats on holiday to France ?I have 2 cats and a house in the Suisse Normande. The journey from door to door can be minimised to 9 hrs. Would you consider taking cats for a three week break, or even a 2 week one??I have 3 sets of neighbours I can ask to feed them in the UK,so that's no problem, but they really seem to miss us when we are gone .What do you think??"
as you had already made up your mind!
You have decided to go for four weeks and, I think, your cats will be fine. However, I do also think that your cats would have been fine (and probably less stresseed) if left at home, considering that you had the offer of of 3 reliable neighbours offer to look after them.
You really have to think of the best for your cats. Cats, unlike dogs, are happiest in their own surroundings. So, there you go, that's my tuppence worth, for what it's worth!
In my opinion, to put your cats through a lot of unneccessary upset, in the belief that you're doing the best for them, is totally unrealistic. Let's face it, you are doing this for you. You feel guilty at the thought of leaving them for 4 weeks. Well, you are their owners, and obviously you love them to bits but, please think of them, not yourselves.
Sorry to go on, I really am a devoted cat lover, but if I hadn't been coming over here for good, I wouldn/t contemplate bringing my cats on holiday with me, even for 4 weeks, especially if you had offers of responsible people to look after them. Cats are different from dogs. Cats are happiest in their own environment, whereas, dogs are happier with their owners.
I'm sure others will disagree with my opinion, but I've been a cat and dog owner for many many years and this is my opinion.
Best wishes
Anna
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