If you’re like me, going away and having to board your cat is terrible! One of the things I hate about being a pet owner is that we can’t explain things to them. When we leave the house, we can say, “Mommy will be right back!” but do they understand?
I hate that we can’t explain that they are not being abandoned and that we’ll be back in a few hours, a few days, or two weeks. But thankfully, there are ways to make cat boarding less stressful, for you and for your cat!
In this post, we’ll cover:
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- Finding cat boarding near you
- Cost of cat boarding
- How to successfully board your cat: Step-by-step guide
- Alternatives to cat boarding
Find Cat Boarding Near You
Step one is obviously to find cat boarding facilities near you. You can ask your veterinarian for a recommendation, or check with other cat or dog owners to ask where they board their pets.
You can also search online for “cat boarding near me” at these sites:
Meowtel.com (please use my referral code DEBRAS137310. Thank you!)
Cost of Cat Boarding
Cost of Cat BoardingThe cost of boarding your cat can vary based on where you live, the cat boarding facility you use and what extra services your cat may need during their stay. But as a general rule, most places charge around $25 per night.
If you have more than one cat or another pet you’re boarding at the same time, you’ll likely receive a discount for additional animals.
You may or may not be charged extra for additional services like grooming or administering medication.
For more information about cat boarding prices, read this post from PetHepper.com.
How to Successfully Board Your Cat
How to Successfully Board Your CatHere’s a step-by-step guide for boarding cats that will result in your cat being safe and comfortable while you’re away, and give you peace of mind at the same time!
Choosing the right cat boarding facility. Making sure you’re using a qualified, clean and loving facility is a must! Look for places with great reviews and that are run by people who are true animal lovers.
Check it out first. Always tour the facility before you commit to boarding your cat there. If they don’t allow that, then they’re definitely not the place you should choose!
Check to make sure the facility is clean and that the boarding areas look comfortable for your cat. The boarding areas should have things for cats to climb on and hide in or behind.
Book in advance. Good cat boarding facilities fill up fast, especially at busy travel times like holidays. Make sure you get your spot reserved as far in advance as possible.
Get your cat comfortable with the carrier a week or two ahead of time. Read my post, Tips for Traveling with Cats for tips on getting your cat comfortable with their carrier. This can help reduce stress on drop-off day.
Also, whenever you take your cat anywhere in their carrier, make sure the carrier is closed properly. Not to scare you, but I had a friend whose carrier opened on a routine vet visit. Her cat ran down the sidewalk and she never saw the cat again. Always check more than once to make sure the carrier is secure.
Clip your cat’s nails. If you normally trim your cat’s nails yourself, do it a few days before you’re leaving. It’ll reduce the chance of you or any of the boarding facility’s staff being scratched.
If you need help, read my post, How to Cut a Cat’s Nails at Home (includes video).
Have your paperwork in order. Most facilities require that your cat’s vaccinations are up to date. You’ll need to bring documentation of this. Your vet’s office can print that out for you.
Pack your cat’s stuff. Put your name and your cat’s name on your cat’s belongings as much as possible. For example, you could use masking tape or a label maker to label things like their carrier, food and medications with your names.
Stuff you should pack:
Food. Bring your cat’s usual food so they won’t experience any stomach upset while you’re away. Many pets have difficulty eating when they’re away from home, so keeping the food they’re used to will help. Make sure you pack more than you think your cat will need.
Medications. If your cat takes medication, make sure you bring a sufficient supply and provide clear instructions on dosing. Make sure you get their prescriptions filled in time to have enough on hand for the time you’ll be away.
Some of their favorite things. Bring things like your cat’s favorite toy or blanket, their cat bed if the boarding facility allows it, and a piece of your clothing that has your scent on it.
These things will provide comfort and familiarity for your cat. I always sleep in a t-shirt the night before I’m going away, then leave the t-shirt that smells like Mommy with my pet.
Drop-off day. Try to stay calm and positive. Sobbing when you drop your cat off and doing a big, dramatic farewell isn’t good!
Your cat will likely be nervous and scared. Try not to let this upset you more than it should. Chances are, if you visited your cat the next day, they’d be sleeping and bored. Sometimes I think pet owners suffer more than our pets!
Check on your cat periodically. Most facilities will not object to your calling to check on your cat. If they object, they aren’t the right place to board your cat! Don’t be ridiculous about it, but know it’s ok to call for updates to ease your mind.
Alternatives to Cat Boarding
Alternatives to Cat BoardingIf you can’t afford to board your cat, or you don’t think your cat would tolerate it well, there are other alternatives to boarding cats.
Check with local pet day care facilities. If you’re only going overnight or for a couple of days, a cat day care facility may offer short-term boarding. For information about this, read my post, Pet Day Care.
Use a cat sitter. You might consider finding a cat sitter instead. You can find a good cat sitter who will come to your home, or may allow your cat to stay at their home. Finding a cat sitter to come to your home is ideal, especially if you have an elderly cat or a cat with medical issues.
For help on this, read my post, How to Find a Good Cat Sitter (includes video).
Leave your cat at home alone. If you’re only leaving for two or three days (no more than that), you might consider leaving your cat at home. Please don’t take this lightly. It can be dangerous for your cat to be left home alone for several reasons.
For help on this, read my post, Leaving Your Cat Home Alone (includes video) for tips on making sure your your cat is safe and comfortable.
Also check out my post, How to Keep Indoor Cats Happy (includes video) for things you can do to keep your cat entertained while you’re away.
Take your cat with you. Most cats don’t travel well as a general rule. But if you think your cat would tolerate traveling, or if you have to go away for too long (longer than you should board your cat or have a cat sitter), then you can consider taking your cat with you.
For help on traveling safely with your cat, read my post, Tips for Traveling with a Cat (includes video).
Ask Your Veterinarian
One of the best things you can do if you’re unsure about what you should do with your cat when you’re going away is to talk with your vet.
They’ll be able to give you good advice based on your cat’s age, temperment and any medical issues.
My vet once suggested that leaving your cat at home and having someone come in to check on them, feed them, give medications and clean the litter box is the best decision, if it’s possible.
She said cats really don’t like change and they’ll feel most comfortable at home.
I Donate to Animal Charities
I Donate to Animal CharitiesThank you for visiting my website. I hope this post helps you to make the right decision about cat boarding and to make sure your cat (and you!) are as comfortable as possible.
If you have any tips on what you do with your cat when you’re away, please share them in the comments below!
I donate 10% of my earnings from this website and from my YouTube channel to animal charities. You can see a list of the charities I donate to here.
If you like this website, please share it with your friends who have a dog or a cat. Thank you! Debra
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