How to Monitor Your Pet While Traveling

Leaving your pet behind when you travel is one of the hardest parts of pet ownership. Whether it's a work trip or a vacation, the anxiety of "are they okay?" can follow you the whole time.

Here's a practical guide to keeping your pet safe and staying connected while you're away.

Step One: Know How Long Your Pet Can Be Alone

Before anything else, be realistic about your pet's limits:

Pet	Safe alone time (with food and water)
Adult cat	24–48 hours
Small dog	4–6 hours
Medium/large dog	6–8 hours
Puppy or kitten	No more than 3–4 hours
Rabbit	Up to 24 hours with hay and water

These are general guidelines. Some cats do fine for two days alone; some dogs can't handle four hours. You know your pet best.

Option 1: Leave Them Home (Short Trips Only)

For trips of 1–2 days, adult cats can generally stay home safely if you prepare well.

Food and water setup

Leave more food than you think they'll need — use a timed feeder if possible
Set out multiple water bowls, or use a water fountain
Never rely on a single food bowl that could get knocked over

Environment prep

Close windows (leave a crack for ventilation, not open enough to escape)
Remove small objects they might swallow
Lock away anything dangerous — cleaning supplies, medications, loose cables

Remote monitoring Set up a camera before you leave. Call Pet turns a spare phone into a live camera you can check from anywhere. Place it in your pet's main hangout area, keep it plugged in, and you can check in anytime from your phone. Two-way audio lets you speak to your pet when they're unsettled.

Option 2: Have Someone Check In (Trips of 2–7 Days)

For anything longer than a couple of days, your pet needs a human to stop by.

Friend or family member

The lowest-cost option. Brief them thoroughly:

Feeding schedule, amounts, and food location
Litter box or bathroom routine
Any medications
Emergency vet contact
Your contact info and a backup contact

Leave written instructions. Verbal handoffs get forgotten.

Professional pet sitter

Pet sitting services are available through apps, local vets, and neighborhood networks. Typical cost: $20–$40 per visit. A professional will often send you photos or short videos confirming they've visited — which pairs well with your remote camera as a second layer of verification.

When choosing a sitter:

Use someone with verifiable reviews
Introduce them to your pet before you leave
Do a trial visit while you're still in town

Pet hotel / boarding

Full-time supervision, but a new environment that some animals find stressful. If you board your pet, introduce the facility beforehand — a few short visits before the actual stay helps them acclimate.

Option 3: Take Them With You

For road trips and pet-friendly destinations, bringing your pet is sometimes the best answer. Things to sort out:

Secure carrier or harness for the car
Confirmed pet-friendly accommodation
Rest stops every 2–3 hours for dogs
Their food, water bowls, familiar toys, and bedding

Setting Up Remote Monitoring Before You Leave

This is the step most people skip — and then regret. A camera gives you:

Peace of mind: See for yourself that they're okay instead of just hoping
Early warning: Notice if something's wrong (not eating, hiding, injured) before it becomes an emergency
Sitter verification: Confirm that whoever is checking in actually showed up
Two-way connection: Talk to your pet during the day — many animals respond visibly to their owner's voice

How to set it up with Call Pet:

Download Call Pet on both your main phone and a spare phone
Open the app on both — scan the QR code to pair (takes about 30 seconds)
Place the spare phone where your pet spends most of their time, and plug it in
Leave. Check in whenever you want from your phone

Video is end-to-end encrypted and goes directly between your two phones — nothing is stored on a server. You can check in from anywhere with an internet connection.

What to Watch For While You're Away

Even with a camera, know what actually indicates a problem:

Normal: Sleeping a lot, occasional play, eating normally, using the litter box, coming to check the camera occasionally

Worth noting: Eating noticeably less than usual, sleeping in an unusual location (especially hiding in tight spaces), reduced movement over several hours

Contact someone immediately: Not eating at all for more than 24 hours, obvious limping or injury visible on camera, vomiting, not using the litter box when they normally would

Before You Leave: A Checklist

Sufficient food for the trip duration (plus extra)
Multiple water sources
Clean litter boxes (cats)
Camera set up and tested
Someone to check in if trip is longer than 2 days
Emergency vet number saved and shared with your contact person
Written care instructions left for anyone helping
Familiar toys and bedding in place

The Best Way to Actually Relax While You're Away

The goal isn't perfect preparation — it's preparation good enough that you can stop worrying and enjoy the trip. A camera that lets you check in for 30 seconds while you're having coffee does more for your peace of mind than any amount of advance planning.

Download Call Pet for free before your next trip. Set it up in five minutes, and you'll have one less thing to think about while you're gone.