You have arrived, found the kettle and started unpacking. Your cat, meanwhile, may still be deciding whether leaving the carrier was part of the agreement.
Helping your cat settle into holiday accommodation starts with a calm arrival, familiar belongings and time to explore without pressure. This guide covers preparing their space, managing those first few hours and keeping everyday routines reassuringly familiar throughout your stay.
In this guide
Before opening the carrier· Help your cat settle · Keep routines familiar · Checklist · FAQs
Before opening the carrier
A little preparation before your cat steps out can make arrival easier for everyone. Keep them safely inside their carrier while you check the accommodation and organise their essentials.
Close external doors and windows, check balcony access and look for gaps behind appliances or furniture where a cat could become trapped. Make sure everyone knows that the carrier stays closed until their room is ready.
If you are still choosing accommodation, think about where your cat could have a quiet space away from the entrance. When browsing Find a Stay, consider the layout alongside the location, and ask the host about anything the listing does not explain.
Start with one quiet room
Choose a secure room where your cat can begin to feel comfortable without people repeatedly walking through. Set out familiar bedding, their carrier and somewhere suitable to hide, such as a cardboard box.
Starting with a smaller space follows Cats Protection guidance for helping cats adjust to an unfamiliar home. For a holiday stay, the same approach offers a manageable starting point before exploring more of the accommodation.
Once the room is ready and the door is closed, place the carrier on the floor and open it. Let your cat decide when to come out. There is no need to tip the carrier or reach inside to hurry things along.
Give their essentials some space
Place food and water in separate spots, with the litter tray well away from both. Choose a quiet, accessible position for the tray rather than squeezing everything together in one corner. Add their usual scratching surface and a couple of familiar toys.
Pack an arrival bag
Keep the litter tray supplies, usual food, bowls and familiar bedding together where you can reach them easily. Setting up your cat’s space is much simpler when their essentials are not underneath three bags and the walking boots.
Help your cat settle at their own pace
Some cats will begin inspecting their temporary surroundings almost immediately. Others will prefer to watch proceedings from somewhere discreet. Resist the temptation to turn settling in into a task that must be completed before dinner.
Keep the room quiet and let your cat settle without pressure to interact. If they hide somewhere safe, avoid repeatedly reaching in, lifting them out or encouraging everyone to come and say hello. Keep food, water and a litter tray accessible, without placing them directly inside the hiding spot.
Introduce more space gradually
When your cat seems comfortable in their starting room, allow access to another checked area while keeping their original room available as a retreat. There is no requirement to introduce the whole property at once.
Look at your cat’s behaviour rather than setting a deadline. Choosing to explore, resting comfortably and returning to familiar activities can help you judge how they are coping.
You may have booked somewhere with several lovely rooms. Your cat is still entitled to nominate one particular chair as the entire holiday.
Keep familiar routines to help your cat settle
Once the bags are unpacked, aim for a stay that feels predictable. Keep their usual food and feeding pattern, make time for familiar interaction and leave their resting space available.
Arrange your plans around how your cat is coping. A quiet first evening gives you time to observe them before committing to a busy schedule.
Plan for doors opening
Holiday accommodation can involve unfamiliar routines: luggage coming in, shopping being carried through and somebody opening the patio doors for breakfast.
Agree who is keeping track of the cat before an external door opens. If housekeeping or maintenance visits are expected, arrange access with the host and secure your cat beforehand. Do another check before departure, when packing can make doors and distractions harder to manage.
A garden or balcony should not be treated as escape-proof simply because cats are welcome at the property. Keep your cat inside unless you have a suitable, secure arrangement for any outdoor access.
Notice changes in their wellbeing
Pay attention to eating, drinking and litter tray use as well as whether your cat appears relaxed. Do not assume a change is simply part of settling in.
Contact a vet if your adult cat has not eaten for 24 hours, and seek advice sooner if they seem unwell.
Checklist
Your arrival checklist
- Keep your cat in their carrier while checking the accommodation.
- Close external doors and windows and check balcony access.
- Prepare one quiet room before opening the carrier.
- Set out familiar bedding and a safe hiding place.
- Separate food, water and litter tray areas.
- Let your cat leave the carrier and explore without pressure.
- Agree how everyone will manage external doors and visiting staff.
- Keep an eye on eating, drinking and litter tray use.
- Have the nearest veterinary practice’s contact details available.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash my cat’s bedding before the holiday?
Bring bedding that is clean enough to use but still smells familiar. Familiar scents can help your cat settle, so there is no need to make every blanket freshly laundered just for arrival.
Can I leave my cat alone while I go out?
First check the accommodation’s rules, as permission for cats to stay does not automatically include permission to leave them unattended.
Then consider your individual cat and how they are coping. Avoid making your first absence a long outing, and have an alternative plan if they remain unsettled or need supervision. Host permission and your cat’s welfare both matter.
What if my cat remains distressed throughout the stay?
Speak to your vet rather than continuing to wait for them to adjust. If your cat is struggling, you may need to change your plans or shorten the trip.
Use that experience when planning future breaks. Some cats cope better with familiar surroundings and suitable care at home; travelling together should suit the cat as well as the itinerary.
Find a cat-friendly stay
Choosing somewhere that welcomes cats is the starting point. A suitable layout, clear house rules and space for familiar routines can help you plan the stay around your own cat.
Explore our accommodation listings and find somewhere that suits the way you both travel.
What would take up the most space in your cat’s holiday bag? Tell us in the comments—or share the question you would most like answered before taking your cat on holiday.