Going on Holiday from Dubai? Here's How to Keep Your Cat Happy

You’ve booked the flights, packed the suitcase, and now the familiar knot in your stomach is back: who’s going to look after the cat?

If you live in Dubai, you know the routine. Flights home, business trips, long weekends in Oman. Leaving your cat behind is part of expat life, but it doesn’t have to be stressful.

The three options (and why one stands out)

Boarding facilities

Most boarding options in Dubai cater primarily to dogs. The few that accept cats often house them near barking dogs, in unfamiliar cages, under fluorescent lighting. For a species that relies on territory and routine, this is deeply stressful.

Asking a friend

You trust them, and they genuinely care. They’ll send you photos, check in, and make sure the bowl is full. But even the most attentive friend may not spot the early signs that something is off: a cat eating slightly less than usual, drinking more than normal, or hiding in a spot it never used to. These are the quiet signals a trained eye catches, and they’re easy to miss when you don’t work with cats every day.

Professional cat sitting at home

Your cat stays exactly where it is. A trained sitter comes to your home on a set schedule, follows your cat’s routine precisely, and sends you a photo and update after every visit. No disruption, no travel stress, no strangers’ homes.

How to prepare your cat before you leave

Even with the best care in place, a few small things help your cat settle while you’re away:

• Don’t wash bedding right before you leave. Your scent on the sheets is comforting. Washing everything removes exactly the thing that helps your cat feel safe.
• Stick to normal routine the day you leave. Feed at the usual time, play at the usual time. Cats read disruption in routine as a warning sign.
• Leave a worn t-shirt near its favourite spot. The familiar scent acts as a low-level reassurance.
• Brief your sitter thoroughly. The more detail, the better. Where does your cat hide when nervous? Which toy gets it moving? Does it drink from the tap or the bowl?

What to look for in a cat sitter

Not all pet sitters are equal, especially when it comes to cats. Here’s what matters:

• Cat-specific experience. Someone who primarily walks dogs is not automatically qualified to read feline body language. Cats communicate stress very differently.
• Certification. In France, the ACACED (Attestation de Connaissances pour les Animaux de Compagnie d’Espèces Domestiques) is the official diploma for domestic animal care. It covers health, nutrition, behaviour, and welfare.
• Structured updates. You should never have to ask how your cat is doing. Updates should come to you automatically after every visit.
• A proper Meet & Greet. Any serious sitter will insist on meeting your cat in its own environment before the first booking.

The Velvet Nest approach

I visit cats across Dubai Marina, JBR, and JVC. Every visit includes feeding, litter care, playtime, a health check, and a WhatsApp photo update. Medication for chronic conditions like asthma is included as standard.

If you’re planning a trip and want to make sure your cat is genuinely cared for while you’re away, send me a message on WhatsApp. I’m happy to answer any questions before we schedule a Meet & Greet.