While it may be tempting to bring your cat or dog on vacation with you you should always put their best interests first. Think about where your pet would be happiest and what kind of environment they are used to. If you are unsure as to what you should do, consult your vet. Your vet will be able to tell you if you pet will be able to handle travel. Bringing your cat on vacation with you is almost always a bad idea. Cats do not handle change very well and extended periods of travel are often times very hard on them.
If you do decide to bring your pet on vacation with you, make sure to bring everything that they will need to be comfortable in their temporary home. Check the rules of where you are staying to see if pets are allowed and follow any special rules that they have. If the change is not comfortable it can be very stressful and that can result in behavioral issues. You should also bring a health certificate and a record of your pet’s rabies vaccination.
When leaving your pet at home there are several things that you can do: leave them with a friend, have a friend come and feed them at your house, board them, or hire somebody to take care of them. If you decide to have a friend take care of your pet make sure that it is somebody that you can trust to not forget about your little buddy.
When you board your pet always find a location with a good reputation and check it out for yourself. Your vet can usually give you a good recommendation as well. Have your pet micro-chipped if they are not already. Unfamiliar environments can be stressful and if your dog somehow runs away you would want to be able to find them.