Whether you’re going home for a visit or asking your parents to take care of your cat, there may be reasons that you want to take your cat to your parents’ house. I’ve taken my three cats to my parents’ house several times, and here’s what I’ve learned:
As a general rule, your cat would likely rather stay home. However, it’s completely fine to take your cat to your parents’ house for a visit or an extended stay as long you prepare properly.
In this article, I’ll cover how to take your cat to your parents’ house and what you need to know about visiting other homes with your cat.
How To Take Your Cat to Your Parents’ House
If you’re getting ready to take your cat on a trip to your parents’ house, there are a few things you can do to make the visit as stress-free as possible.
If your cat has been to your parents’ house before, they’ll be more comfortable going back if they had a good experience. Cats will also remember bad experiences, so if they’ve had a stressful event happen at your parents’ house, they won’t be thrilled to be back. If that’s the case, it’d be best to leave your cat at home or take them somewhere else.
However, it’s more likely that this is your cat’s first visit to your parent’s house. If so, here’s what you can do to help them have the best experience possible:
1. Make sure it’s okay with your parents to bring your cat.
The first thing you should do to take your cat to your parents’ house is get permission from your parents. Make sure they’re aware you plan on bringing your cat and ask them to prepare a little before you get there.
It would be best if there aren’t any loud noises, hectic events, or free-roaming animals when your cat arrives at your parents’ house. Your cat will be stressed if you walk in during a Super Bowl party or if they’re immediately greeted with a big, excited dog. Instead, try to bring your cat to your parents’ house when things are calm and introduce them to new animals slowly.
If your parents aren’t used to having a cat in the house, they may also want to make sure all the doors and windows are shut and that there aren’t any loose items your cat may get into trouble with. If there’s a precious throw on the couch that your parents want to save from your cat’s claws or loose craft yarn that your cat may try to eat, ask your parents to put these things safely away for your visit.
2. Get a cat carrier, food bowls, a litter box, and comfort items.
Prepare your cat for your trip to your parents’ house by gathering all of the essentials.
First, you’ll need a cat carrier to transport your cat. Whether you’re driving, walking, riding, or flying to your parents’ house, you’ll want to make sure your cat has safe and reliable transportation outdoors. If you’ll be traveling for a long distance, you may even want to get a cat carrier that includes a travel litter box.
Next, gather a few comfort items from home. Your cat’s favorite toys, blankets, bed, or even familiar clothes will make your cat feel at home. If you’re afraid your cat may still be stressed at your parents’ house, you can also pack a cat anxiety diffuser to use while they’re there.
Finally, depending on how long your cat will be at your parents’ house, you may want to pack food and water bowls as well as a litter box. You can bring your cat’s usual bowls and litter box or buy travel versions for the trip (best travel food/water bowls, best travel litter boxes). If you plan on visiting your parents for several hours or dropping your cat off, you’ll want to make sure to pack these essentials.
3. Help your cat get comfortable in the car.
If your cat isn’t usually in the car, the trip itself could be the most stressful part. If you’re flying home for a visit, there’s no perfect way to prepare your cat for a plane ride. But if you’re driving home, you can help your cat get more comfortable being in the car.
Start by slowly introducing your cat to their carrier. You can simply open the carrier and leave it somewhere in the house for your cat to explore. After they’ve checked it out, start placing treats or food near/in the carrier to help your cat get comfortable being inside. Slowly introduce your cat to each step: closing the carrier door, being lifted off the ground, and going outside. Frequently give your cat treats or food to encourage good behavior.
Once your cat is comfortable being in their carrier in the car, move on to starting the car and taking short drives. This is a great way to slowly introduce your cat to traveling by car. Then, when it’s time to visit your parents’ house, they’ll be ready for the ride.
4. Make a home-away-from-home for your cat at your parents’ house.
Once you arrive at your parents’ house, designate a spot to be your cat’s home-away-from-home. You can do this by setting up their litter box, food and water bowls, and any comfort items that you brought from home.
When you get to your parents’ house, your cat may want to stay in their carrier for a while, and that’s okay! You can set it up as a safe space for your cat to retreat to. As your cat begins exploring your parents’ house, they’ll learn where their safe spaces are as well as where their litter box, food, and water are.
If your cat will be staying at your parents’ house while you’re away, it’s important that they know how to get to their essentials. For this reason, it’s important to set them up in a place where they won’t need to be moved.
Can I Take My Cat Places With Me?
While cats are known for being homebodies, not every cat hates to travel. Taking your cat with you on a walk, trip, or visit can be a great way to let your cat explore the world outside their home.
You can take your cat places with you, just ensure that they’re comfortable. As a general rule, your cat would likely rather stay home. However, some cats love to travel and enjoy going places with you.
If you’re thinking about taking your cat somewhere with you, make sure it’s going to be a calm space. Your cat won’t enjoy going to an event with lots of people, animals, loud noises, traffic, or anything that may frighten them. Instead, choose a calmer place to bring your cat like the park, the beach, or a friend’s house.
When you start taking your cat places with you, be sure to start small. Change can be especially anxiety-inducing for cats, so give your kitty time to get used to traveling. Start with harness training in the backyard or short car trips in a cat carrier. Work your way up to taking your cat on big trips like camping or biking.
Cats Visiting Other Homes
Taking your cat to someone else’s house can be a fun way to spend time with your cat and your friends or family at the same time. It may also be necessary for your cat to visit another home while you go on a trip. But do cats like going to other houses?
Your cat may like visiting other homes. Whether your cat visits neighbors or travels with you to your friends’ and family’s houses, it’s okay to let your cat visit other homes. They still know which home is theirs.
Your cat is most likely to happily return to homes where they’ve had a good experience, and they likely won’t want to visit homes where they’ve had a bad experience.
If your cat is visiting your neighbor’s house too often, it’s okay to ask them not to feed your cat or not to welcome them inside. This is a good way to ensure your cat doesn’t get confused about their actual home.
If you’re taking your cat to visit someone else’s house, they’ll be completely fine. You just want to prepare properly and make sure they’ll have everything they need including a cat carrier, a litter box, food and water bowls, and comfort items from home. If there are other animals in the house, be sure to introduce them slowly and give your cat a safe space to retreat to.
Taking Cats Away for the Weekend
Weekend trips can be a fun way to get out of the house for a few days, but should you bring your cat with you?
Taking your cat away for the weekend may be a good idea depending on your cat’s personality. If your cat gets travel anxiety, you may want to leave your cat home instead. But if your cat loves to travel, a weekend trip with your cat could be fun.
Before you take your cat away for the weekend, you’ll want to make sure they’re ready to travel. Get a cat carrier and give your cat time to get comfortable being in it. Then, slowly introduce your cat to car rides if they’re not already used to traveling.
As you pack for your weekend trip, be sure to pack everything your cat will need as well. This includes a travel litter box, food and water bowls, and comfort items from home. Your cat will appreciate having their favorite toys or blankets while they’re away.
If you’re looking for something fun to do with your cat this weekend, check out these 14 places to take your cat for fun.
Should I Take My Cat Home for Christmas?
Going home for the holidays can be both fun and stressful on its own, but should you bring your cat home for Christmas?
As a general rule, your cat would likely rather stay at their own house for Christmas. However, if you need to take your cat home for Christmas, they will be fine as long as you prepare properly.
Over the past few years, I’ve done both. Most of the time, I leave my cats home for Christmas as my parents’ house is often filled with dogs, babies, and loud rounds of charades that would give my cats anxiety. But one year, I was living on the other side of the country and decided to fly home for two weeks during the holidays. That year, my cats came home with me for Christmas.
My cats had a great experience visiting my parent’s house for Christmas that year. Since I flew in before the actual holiday, they had plenty of time to explore the house, learn where their essentials were, and find safe spaces.
If you plan on bringing your cat home for Christmas, try to give them time to get comfortable before the festivities begin. But if you only plan on visiting home for a few hours on Christmas Day, it might be best to avoid the stress for your cats and leave them at home.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, taking your cat to your parent’s house isn’t a bad idea.
If you plan on staying for an extended visit or leaving your cats while you go on a trip, taking your cat to your parents’ house may be the best thing to do. However, if you only plan on visiting your parents for a short time, your cat may be more comfortable hanging out at home.
If you do decide to take your cat to your parents’ house, make sure they have everything they’ll need. You’ll also want to give your cat time to get used to their cat carrier and being in the car.
At your parents’ house, your cat will need comfort items from home. Depending on the length of the stay, they may also need a litter box as well as food and water bowls.
More Travel Tabby Content You May Enjoy:
- 14 Fun Places To Take Your Cat This Weekend
- Can Cats Live in Two Houses? Sharing a Cat Between Homes
- Is Your Cat Carrier Airline Approved?