A guide for cat owners
Leaving your cat at home during a holiday
How to prepare visits, the home, food and contacts without assuming that filling a bowl before leaving is enough.
Information reviewed on 27 July 2026
Quick answer
Can a cat stay at home during a holiday?
A cat may remain in familiar surroundings with a visit plan suited to the individual. It should not be left for several days with only food and water: observation, hygiene, refills, tolerated interaction and a response to problems are needed.
Before deciding
Assess the pet and the context
Age, health, personality and duration change the suitable plan.
Start by assess visit frequency and prepare resources and access. A generic internet rule does not know your pet, home, season or the actual length of the absence.
Consider age and health, type of food, water and litter trays. If there is illness, medication, a recent change or concerning behaviour, confirm the plan with the vet.
- Age and health
- Type of food
- Water and litter trays
- Number and relationships between cats
- Length of absence
Practical checklist
Prepare resources, routine and instructions
Anything important should be accessible, labelled and written down.
The plan should let you leave instructions and contacts and observe health and behaviour. Make a short, current list that someone who does not live with the pet can understand.
Include food, water, equipment, routine, restrictions, warning signs and where supplies are kept. Do not leave codes or private details in public places or messages to unconfirmed contacts.
- Schedule and timing
- Food and supplies
- Equipment and access
- Instructions and limits
If something changes
Define emergency contacts and decisions
The sitter needs to know whom to contact and when to escalate.
Leave your number, a nearby backup person and the veterinary clinic details. Explain authority and what to do if you are offline, on a flight or in another time zone.
Also agree what happens with delays, travel changes, failed access or missing supplies. An emergency plan does not replace veterinary assessment; it organises the response until help is available.
- Owner
- Backup person
- Veterinarian
- Authority and transport
Before leaving
Confirm the service and make a final review
Dates, frequency, tasks and contacts should match across all messages.
Review the quote and instructions a few days beforehand. Update changes to food, health, timing or access. Confirm who is responsible and how you will receive news.
Use only the official domain and contacts to resolve questions. If you receive an unexpected change of number, account or payment method, verify it through another known channel before acting.
- Dates and frequency
- Included tasks
- Keys and access
- Update channel
A simple process
How to check availability
Share your dates, location, number of pets, routine and any relevant needs.
A useful assessment starts with specific information. Include normal timings, food, walks, any medication agreed in advance, behaviour around people and animals, and an emergency contact. The reply can then separate what is confirmed from anything that still needs to be discussed.
Where a stay may involve contact with other dogs, suitability is checked before a booking is accepted. For home visits, agree key handling, access, alarms and a backup contact privately rather than posting sensitive details in public forms or reviews.
- Requested dates and times
- Location and type of care
- Routine, food and relevant needs
- Owner and backup emergency contact
Useful sources: DGAV — companion animals
FAQ
Questions before a holiday
Straight answers to the questions people commonly ask before checking availability.
Can I leave a large amount of food without visits?
That is not a responsible plan for several days. Food, water, litter, health, temperature and home safety can change unexpectedly.
How many litter trays should I prepare?
Keep enough resources for the number of cats and familiar routine, with cleaning supplies available. Ask your vet for individual guidance where urinary or elimination problems exist.
Can a camera replace visits?
No. A camera may support observation but cannot refill water, clean litter, physically check the cat or respond to an emergency.
What if the cat does not appear?
List familiar hiding places, ways to confirm presence and contacts. The sitter should avoid forcing the cat but follow the plan if expected signs are missing.
Should I change food before travelling?
Avoid unnecessary changes immediately before you leave. Diet and health questions should be confirmed with the vet.
How do I know I am contacting the official Tails & Trails?
Use only tailsandtrails.pt, +351 910 544 380 or care@tailsandtrails.pt. These contact details are published consistently across the official pages.
What should I include in my first message?
Send your dates, location, type of care, number of pets, age, normal routine and relevant needs. Do not send sensitive documents before confirming the context and care plan.
Practical information updated on 27 July 2026. For health, medication or clinical behaviour questions, always confirm the plan with your pet's vet.
Next step
Staying at home does not mean being without care
Familiar territory may reduce change, but it works only with human presence, resources, observation and an emergency plan.
Prepare early and send the dates, location and routine to check visits.
Travelling while your cat stays home?
Send your dates, location and a short description of the routine. Eya will check suitability and reply with the next step.