Dubai summers are always a stressful period for pet owners to arrange care for their four-legged friends while traveling for extended periods of time. Preparations to provide the best appropriate care for pets must be made in advance, and while we are away, we miss them deeply just waiting to be reunited. But despite your best efforts to make everything as easy as possible for your cats, your temporary disappearance is cause for stress. Hence naturally, your return will be another adaptation they will need to make which may take anywhere from a few days up to 2 weeks.
Here are a few tips to consider when seeing your cat after being separated for some time:
While you may have the urge to squeeze and cuddle your bundle of joy, make sure to give him or her time and space to explore and adapt to everything without interruption. Once you return, don’t expect everything to go instantly back to the day you left. Your cat may take a few days to adapt to the “new” situation, even though it may seem to be just a transition back to normal everyday life. Let your cat sniff her way around the home she or he is used to and adapt at her own pace.
On the flip side, returning home after a long holiday can be very hectic with rearranging luggage, reorganising, the piles of laundry, and any unfinished business which needs sorting upon your return. But somewhere in between the chaos, take a moment to pause and provide your cat with undivided attention even if just for a few minutes. If your cat is up for it, engage in some playtime, or whatever yo huu would do regularly. The connection your cat experiences during play will build your cat’s confidence and alleviate stress of your temporary disappearance. Even if it just sitting on the sofa, relax with your cat for a moment (with slight cuddles if possible!) to rebuild the strong bond.
It is common for owners to be concerned whether their cats ate enough, and some may be concerned that their cats have lost weight during their absence. Even if this is the case, do not compensate by overfeeding your cat. A few extra treats to celebrate the reunion is completely understandable but remember to only offer the appropriate amount of food that your cat is usually given, especially during the first few days of the reunion.
Whether you have left your cat at home with a sitter, at a boarding facility or pet hotel, check with their temporary care takers in detail how your cat behaved while you were away. Urinating outside the litter box is a common behaviour trait for cats dealing with stress and anxiety. Other behaviour issues to look out for will be excessive scratching, hiding, or aggressiveness.
If you detect any signs of such unusual behaviour being described, make note of everything, and book an appointment with your vet to reconfirm that everything is okay with your cat’s health.
The Cat Vet, one of the best vet clinics in Dubai, is open 7 days a week with an emergency line open 24 hours to assist you with any concerns you may have. Find us on Google Maps if you are in the new Dubai area by typing Best Vet Clinic Near Me.
