When the cat's away...

As we all know, our cats are creatures of habit and they thrive on routine! Any disruption to their daily lives can certainly leave them feeling a little unsettled. This can happen when their human companions go on holiday! It may give you some comfort to know that in my experience our cats go in to what I call "Holiday Mode". I would like to explain how a cat's routine changes when their owners are on holiday and why it's normal for them to exhibit different behaviors during this time.

Adjusted Feeding Schedule 🕘

Cats are accustomed to regular feeding times. When their owners go on holiday, some cats may eat less or more when their routine is disrupted. This change in eating habit is a normal part of adapting to a new schedule. 

Increased Independence 🐱

Cats are independent animals, but they do rely on their owners for attention and companionship. When you're away, your cat may become more self-reliant. They might spend more time alone simply sleeping their time away, exploring their surroundings, or even hunting for entertainment. This newfound independence can be a sign of your cat adapting to the absence of your company. This change of independence also impacts their appetite!

Exploration and Play 😼

In "holiday mode," your cat may engage in more exploratory behavior. They might investigate new areas of your home and you may notice your cat playing with toys or objects they typically ignore. This increased playfulness is a natural response to the change in environment, while they explore more alone time than they're normally accustom.

Altered Sleep Patterns 💤

Cats are known for their napping habits, but during your absence, they might experience changes in their sleep patterns. Some cats may nap more to pass the time, while others might stay awake longer, especially if they are more active in exploring and playing. These variations are normal and depend on your cat's personality.

Its important to remember, with you not being around your furry companions have less to get up for - where they would normally wait for your presence and attention, they might instead use your absence as a relaxing holiday for themselves!

Stress and Anxiety 🙀

Not all cats will embrace "holiday mode" with ease. Some cats may experience stress or anxiety due to the change in routine and the absence of their owner. Some cats might resort to hiding away during the day but the most important thing is that they continue to eat and their toileting habits remain normal. 

What is Happy Cats trying to say? 😸

Understanding that your cat will go into "holiday mode" when you're away is vital for both your peace of mind and your cat's well-being. With the right preparations and a little patience, you can help your feline friend adjust to the temporary changes in their life and ensure that they enjoy their own version of a holiday while you're away!

🐾 Tip 1: Prepare a holiday feeding routine

This is likely to be different from your standard feeding routine, and your cat will adjust to it quickly when they enter their "holiday mode"...however a routine is still very important so that that they can be sure when and where their next meal is coming from.

🐾Tip 2: Give your cat options

While in holiday mode, an 'outdoor' cat might decide to remain indoors.  A predominantly indoor cat might have a sudden urge to explore.  A sleepy cat might play and an adventurous cat might rest.  The point is, they may not behave in a way that you expect them to so don't limit their options by forcing them to do something they normally do while you're at home.

This holds true for their litter options - give them the option to go when and where they desire as their confidence may change and what used to be an appropriate toilet area might now be off-limits, so provide options!

🐾Tip 3: Embrace the Happy Cat's ethos

When a cat is in their home environment (and not a cattery), they are able to relax and enjoy the comforts of their own territory.

From my own experience both as a cat mum and carer - even the most timid of cats will still find time to relax and exhibit normal behavior in between cat care visits, simply because they are in the safety of their own domain.