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19/05/2008, 16:40 Nicos Joined on 21/01/2007 61 and Cheshire Posts 326 cats on holiday.... 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??    Report

19/05/2008, 18:32 Bluebell Joined on 18/05/2008 Posts 11 Re: cats on holiday.... 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.    Report

19/05/2008, 19:22 KathyF Joined on 17/02/2007 Mid-Wales & Southern Manche (50) Posts 119 Re: cats on holiday.... I'd be afraid of the cats wandering off and getting lost in a strange place.  We don't have cats now, but when we moved house 7 years ago, one of our two got out and disappeared within a day of moving in and we never saw her again.  Because we now spend each summer in France, we feel we can't risk having another cat, much as I love having cats around.    Report

19/05/2008, 20:45 Anna Joined on 23/08/2004 Dordogne Posts 171 Re: cats on holiday.... 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.     Report

20/05/2008, 14:41 Acoustic Joined on 16/05/2008 North Dordogne Posts 19 Re: cats on holiday.... 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.     Report

20/05/2008, 23:04 Nicos Joined on 21/01/2007 61 and Cheshire Posts 326 Re: cats on holiday.... It's very interesting to hear from you all. We had a cat many years ago which travelled with us every weekend to various parts of the UK- up to about 4 hrs of travelling, and stayed in the bedrooms of where we were staying. He did this from being 8 wks old and was really quite happy about it. These 2 cats are 8 and 12 and never travelled which is why I'm concerned- and they have always lived in the same house- and never been in a cattery. That's why I am concerned as to what period of time we should consider the minimum length of stay. If it were for the whole of the summer I'd not hesitate! Both cats were rabies vaccinated last year and they have had their boosters just in case. More thoughts please!!!!......    Report

21/05/2008, 9:16 andyh4 Joined on 15/06/2005 Frankfurt and Ardèche Posts 845 Re: cats on holiday.... 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. Andy    Report

30/05/2008, 13:53 Nicos Joined on 21/01/2007 61 and Cheshire Posts 326 Re: cats on holiday.... OK...an update.... We will be going for 4 weeks now (....I know...such a bore....) So they're coming with us! Bit nervous but I've read up on previous threads here which have been very interesting- thankyou! Shopping list:- 2 puppy wired carriers/cages puppy training pads 2 harnesses and leads squeezy water bottle comfort towels and throws. Think we'll do the tunnel as we'll be around them for longer than on a 3 1/2 hr speed ferry. Will also take plastic bags to chuck out any stinky stuff and a handful of dried food if they get peckish. I'll need to get a couple of litter trays, scoop and litter for when we get there ( cat-flap cats here) and I'll take out their usual feed bowls. Have I missed anything out???? ( apart from the cats , their usual food and their passports??) One other thing....do people take out their own wormer and frontline or is the price in France much the same at British vets???    Report

31/05/2008, 20:29 Anna Joined on 23/08/2004 Dordogne Posts 171 Re: cats on holiday.... 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    Report

01/06/2008, 0:16 Nicos Joined on 21/01/2007 61 and Cheshire Posts 326 Re: cats on holiday.... Thanks Anna- good to have a heart-felt reply. Yes- we have decided to take them with us- it took a lot of consideration- I think you are probably right in that we are being selfish. 3 weeks and we wouldn't have considered it. However , we may well end up living  permanently in our French home and between now and then spend longer and longer periods of time between the two places. I'll let you know when we return if it was Ok or a mistake!....fingers crossed.    Report

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