If you are traveling for work or pleasure and have a cat, you have several options: travel with your cat, put them in a boarding facility, or hire a cat sitter. There is another alternative, however, that gives your cat a luxurious experience: a cat hotel.
Cat hotels, or catteries, are similar to dog boarding kennels, but they cater exclusively to cats. If you’re planning to put your cat in a cat hotel while you’re away, find out what to expect when leaving them and how to prepare them for a stress-free stay.
What is Cat Hotel?
Cat hotels, also known as catteries, can vary greatly in what they offer. They all provide a place to temporarily house your cat and take care of their basic needs, including feeding and watering. Generally, catteries are designed with the specific needs of cats in mind, so they are preferable to general pet boarding.
Like human hotels, cat hotels can vary in what they offer as far as amenities. Some are basic and provide close-set cages with basic care, such as clean bedding, regular feeding, litter boxes, and light grooming. Some high-end cat hotels provide a more premium experience with perches, windows, and more cage space. You can pay a fee for human interaction such as playtime and cuddling at some facilities.
If you have a cat with special needs, some cat hotels offer additional services such as medical care to ensure your cat is safe and comfortable while you are away. Some facilities have larger cages to house multiple cats, which is great if you have a bonded pair to reduce their stress.
Regardless, one thing you can count on in cat hotels is that there will be no barking dogs to stress your cat out.
How to Prepare for Staying in a Cat Hotel
Many people believe that cats are independent and can be left alone for long periods of time, unlike dogs. Cats experience stress and discomfort when they are away from their owners and thrust into a new environment, especially with the sights, sounds, and smells of unfamiliar cats.
It’s important to prepare your cat for the experience and reduce unnecessary stress in advance. Here are some tips:
1. Research the Cat Hotel
Researching local cat hotels is just as important as researching your own accommodation. This facility will be responsible for caring for your cat while you’re away, so you don’t want to leave it to anyone else.
The best place to start is by asking your veterinarian for recommendations. You can also narrow down your selection by looking at what amenities are available and reading reviews, not just on the business’s website but from third-party sources like Yelp.
Once you have a few cat hotels in mind, take a tour of the facility and pay attention to the staff, the cleanliness, the accommodation, and the requirements for your cat’s stay.
2. Get Your Cat Comfortable In Carriers
A carrier is a must when you’re traveling anywhere with your cat, even if it’s just a short car ride. Most cat hotels will also require a carrier for your cat.
Hopefully, your cat is already comfortable in a carrier, but if not, spend some time training. Work in short sessions and make the carrier a happy place with treats and toys, then gradually increase the time your cat is in the carrier.
When the carrier isn’t a big deal in your home, step into the short car ride. Again, make it fun with treats and toys during and after the ride. Build up to longer car rides slowly as you get closer to your vacation dates.
3. Book a Trial Night
Staying in a cat hotel is a great experience for your cat. Rather than making a long stay the first time, book a trial night or two to get your cat more accustomed to the experience. This gives you a chance to see how your cat adapts to the new environment and new people and cats so you can plan better for your long trip.
Ideally, you should introduce your cat to staying in a cat hotel when they are kittens. Even if you don’t have an upcoming trip planned, it helps to train ahead of time and prepare your cat for your future vacations. This is also good practice for an overnight or hospital stay at the vet.
4. Get Your Cat Up to Date on Vaccines
Most cat hotels require your cat to be up to date on all vaccinations and parasite prevention. This is important for your cat’s health and the health of the other cats in the facility. Be sure to refill any medications your cat is taking as well.
If your cat takes medication regularly, make sure the staff knows in advance. Most facilities will have staff trained to administer medication to cats, including injectable drugs such as insulin, but they need to know in advance. You should also leave detailed information about your cat’s veterinarian, medications, dosages, times, and the best way to administer them to make the process as smooth as possible.
5. Pack Your Cat’s Belongings
Cat hotels will have supplies for your cat, but you can make the transition easier by bringing your cat’s favorite things from home. Pack your cat’s food and treats and some favorite toys. You can provide a bed or blanket that your cat likes too, making the cat hotel feel like home.
6. Prepare the Staff for Your Cat
Cats are individuals. You may know all of your cat’s quirks, but the hotel staff doesn’t. Make notes about your cat’s likes and dislikes or quirks so the staff can care for them as you do.
Conclusion
A cat hotel is a great alternative to taking your cat on vacation or relying on a general pet boarding facility. Cat hotels are designed just for cats and to keep the experience as relaxed as possible, but you need to do your part by preparing yourself, the staff, and your cat for the stay.
Featured Image Credit: Frau aus UA, Shutterstock
