You can avoid having to board your pet by asking a family member, friendly neighbor or friend to act as a ‘sitter’ for the holiday period. This is a good idea, because research suggests that cats (and dogs) prefer to remain in the place they know and in which they feel secure.
However, it is important to ask helpers not to fuss a cat too much, and remember to leave them with a strict timetable of feeding, general instructions and your veterinary surgeon’s contact details. A further alternative is for your cat to stay at a family member’s or friend’s home.