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

A cattery or boarding facility

Boarding means a new place, new smells, unfamiliar sounds and often other animals nearby. For a species whose sense of safety depends on territory and routine, this change of environment can be stressful, especially for shy or older cats. Some cats cope well; many find it hard.

Asking a friend

You trust them, and they genuinely care. They’ll send you photos and make sure the bowl is full. But even the most attentive friend may miss the early signs that something is off: a cat eating slightly less than usual, drinking more than normal, or hiding in a spot they never used before. These quiet signals are easier to catch when you work with cats every day.

Professional cat sitting at home

Your cat stays exactly where they are. 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 carrier, no car journey, no unfamiliar place.

How to prepare your cat before you leave

A few small things help your cat settle while you’re away:

• Don’t wash their bedding right before you leave. Familiar scents help cats feel secure.
• Keep the usual routine on departure day. Feed and play at the usual times: cats are sensitive to sudden changes in their routine.
• Leave something that smells of you near their favourite spot, like a worn t-shirt.
• Brief your sitter thoroughly. Where does your cat hide when nervous? Which toy gets them moving? Do they prefer drinking from a glass or a 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. Cats show stress very differently from dogs, often by hiding or going quiet. Someone used to cats knows how to read these signs.
• Certification. In France, the ACACED (Attestation de Connaissances pour les Animaux de Compagnie d’Espèces Domestiques) is the official certification for professionals working with domestic animals. It covers health, nutrition, behaviour and welfare.
• Updates you don’t have to ask for. A photo and a note should come to you automatically after every visit.
• A proper Meet & Greet. A serious sitter will always want to meet your cat at home before the first booking.

The Velvet Nest approach

I visit cats across Dubai. Every visit includes food and water, litter care, playtime, a wellbeing check and a photo update in your Time To Pet client account. Daily medication for chronic conditions, such as asthma, is included at no extra cost.

Planning a trip? Book your Meet & Greet online, or send me a message on WhatsApp with your questions.

Written by Ségo, ACACED-certified cat sitter · The Velvet Nest, Dubai

Sources: ACACED training (Attestation de Connaissances pour les Animaux de Compagnie d’Espèces Domestiques), French Ministry of Agriculture. · Ellis S.L.H. et al. (2013). AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(3), 219–230. · Stella J. et al. (2013). Effects of stressors on the behavior and physiology of domestic cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.