After the hustle and bustle of the Raya holidays, many cat owners choose to board their furry friends at a cat hotel for a safe and comfortable stay while they travel. Whether you’ve been away for a week or longer, your cat’s experience away from home can affect their behavior and well-being. Coming back home after their stay, it’s important to give your cat the extra attention they need to help them settle back in.
Here are some essential tips on how to care for your cat after they’ve returned from a cat hotel stay:
1. Give Them Time to Adjust
Just like us, cats need time to adjust after a change in their environment. They’ve spent time in a new place with unfamiliar smells, sounds, and routines, and the transition back to home can be overwhelming for them. Allow your cat to settle back into their familiar space without forcing them into interactions or routines right away.
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Provide a quiet space: Set up a cozy corner or room where your cat can retreat to if they need to be alone. This gives them a safe space to rest and feel secure.
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Limit their exploration: It might be tempting to have your cat roam the entire house, but let them gradually adjust to their surroundings again. Start by letting them explore one room at a time.
2. Re-establish Their Routine
Cats thrive on routine, so it’s important to return to their normal feeding, playtime, and sleep schedule as soon as possible. While at the cat hotel, your cat may have been fed at different times or had different play activities.
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Feeding: Reintroduce their usual food and feeding times. If they were fed a different diet while away, transition them slowly back to their regular food to avoid stomach upset.
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Playtime: Your cat may have been more or less active at the hotel, so it’s essential to engage them in familiar play activities to stimulate their mind and body. Use toys they enjoy to reconnect and rebuild that bond.
3. Watch for Behavioral Changes
Sometimes cats may come back from a stay at a cat hotel with a few behavioral changes. They may be more clingy, anxious, or distant, or they may act out by scratching or marking their territory. Keep an eye on their behavior, and if you notice any significant changes, it’s important to monitor them closely.
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Stress or anxiety: Some cats may experience stress after a long stay in an unfamiliar environment. If your cat seems nervous, try using calming pheromone sprays, diffusers, or even cat-calming music to help them relax.
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Aggression or withdrawal: If your cat has become more aggressive or withdrawn, they might need a little extra TLC. Take the time to comfort them, reassure them with gentle affection, and let them come to you when they’re ready.
4. Give Them Extra Attention and Affection
Your cat might feel a bit confused or lonely after being in the cat hotel. Cats are social animals, and after being away from you for a while, they may crave extra attention and affection. Spend quality time with them to reconnect, whether it’s petting, brushing, or simply sitting together.
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Grooming: Regular grooming will help your cat feel more comfortable and provide reassurance. If your cat was staying at a cat hotel for an extended period, they may have accumulated a bit of extra fur or tangles.
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Cuddles and comfort: Every cat is different in how much affection they like, but some extra cuddle time and gentle attention will help them feel secure and loved.
5. Health Check-Up
After a long stay away, it’s a good idea to schedule a health check-up with your veterinarian, especially if your cat was at the cat hotel for an extended period. Some hotels provide regular health checks, but it’s always good to get your cat checked out after any changes in their environment.
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Monitor their eating and drinking habits: After being away, your cat may not have had the same routine with food and water. Keep an eye on their eating habits to ensure they’re eating well and drinking enough.
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Physical examination: A health check-up can help rule out any potential issues, especially if your cat had any vaccinations, was exposed to other animals, or had any changes in their behavior while away.
6. Rebuild Their Confidence
Cats may feel a bit uncertain when they return home, so it’s important to help them feel confident and secure in their environment. Continue to offer them their favorite toys, scratching posts, and cozy resting spots to reinforce their sense of ownership and safety.
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Interactive play: Engaging in interactive play with them can help rebuild their confidence and reassure them that everything is normal.
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Familiar scents: Cats rely heavily on scent to feel secure. You can help them adjust by placing items with familiar scents (like your clothing) in their space.
7. Keep Communication Open with the Cat Hotel
If you notice anything concerning after your cat’s return, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the cat hotel staff. They can provide insights into how your cat behaved during their stay and any special needs they might have.
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Updates from the hotel: Ask the cat hotel for detailed updates on your cat’s time there. This can help you understand their experience better and how to ease their transition back into your home.
Conclusion
Caring for your cat after a long stay in a cat hotel post-Raya holidays requires patience, understanding, and a little extra TLC. By re-establishing routines, monitoring their behavior, and offering extra comfort, you can help them feel at ease and reconnect with their familiar home environment. Give them time to adjust, and soon enough, your cat will be back to their happy, healthy self!
