Cat Boarding vs. Cat Sitting: Which Is Better?
- The Team at Around the World
- Feb 9
- 7 min read
Photo by Eric Han on Unsplash
You love your cat like a member of your family, so you want to make sure they’re well taken care of when you have to be away from home for a while. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider your options: cat boarding vs. cat sitting.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the best decision for your feline friend, including the pros and cons of boarding, the pros and cons of cat sitting, and the other things you need to consider.
The Takeaways
Cat boarding pros include plenty of supervision, structure and routine, professional staff, and safety requirements.
Cat boarding cons include potential stress, risk of illness, and higher costs for multiple cats.
Cat sitting pros include familiar territory and routines as well as one-on-one attention.
Cat sitting cons include less supervision and the possibility of untrained or unreliable sitters.
When deciding between cat boarding and cat sitting, consider your cat’s personality, behavior, and unique needs.
Table of Contents
Cat Boarding Pros and Cons
Cat Sitting Pros and Cons
Cat Boarding vs. Cat Sitting: Which Is Right for Your Cat?
Cat Boarding Pros and Cons
Photo by Fernando Lavin on Unsplash
Boarding your furry friend can be a really great experience for both them and you, but it might not be right for all cats. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of cat boarding.
Pros
1. Plenty of Supervision
When you choose a reputable boarding facility for your feline friend, you can rest assured that they’ll be closely watched throughout the day. They won’t be neglected or left alone for hours at a time.
Instead, they’ll get lots of supervised play in a designated area, cuddles from the staff, and monitored meals. This helps ensure they don’t feel anxious or get stuck in a cage all day.
2. Structure and Routine
Most pet boarding facilities put cats on a routine for meal times, play time, and alone time. We all know how much cats love routines (and their alone time!), so keeping things consistent when they’re in a new environment is crucial.
3. Professional Staff
Unlike pet sitting, boarding your feline companion means they’ll be cared for by professional staff members. These pet-loving individuals have been trained to take care of your cat in the best possible way, from the first interaction to the last.
When you know your precious kitty is being looked after and loved on by professionals, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about what’s happening back home!
4. Safety Requirements
The best boarding facilities adhere to specific guidelines to keep all their guests safe and healthy during their stay. These can include things like vaccination requirements, cleaning procedures, routine inspections of all rooms and equipment, and using only safe play toys.
Cons
1. Potential for Stress
As wonderful as a boarding experience can be, there’s always a potential for stress. Cats are creatures of habit. They enjoy lounging in the same sunny spot, eating their meals at the same time, and playing with the same toys every day.
Interrupting their normal routine and leaving them someplace strange might be stressful for some cats.
2. Risk of Illness
Being around other animals automatically increases your cat’s risk of catching an illness or infection. That’s why it’s super important to check the cleanliness and procedures of any boarding facility you’re considering and find out what they do to prevent the spread of illness.
3. Higher Cost for Multiple Cats
If you have more than one cat that needs to be boarded, you might end up with a higher cost per night. Of course, prices vary from facility to facility, so always ask about costs before making a final decision.
It’s also worth mentioning that, sometimes, a higher price tag is justified by the professional care your kitty will get at a boarding facility.
Cat Sitting Pros and Cons
Cat sitting, or having someone come to your house to watch your cat, can be a good option in some cases, but it also comes with its fair share of drawbacks. Let’s dive in.
Pros
1. Familiar Territory and Routines
As we mentioned, cats thrive on routine. They’re also territorial, so they love being home. Cat sitting allows your feline friend to stay in their usual environment, which might reduce the level of stress they feel while you’re away.
2. One-on-One Attention
As opposed to cat boarding, cat sitting gives your kitty a better chance for constant, one-on-one attention in some cases. If you have someone staying at your house 24/7 while you’re gone, for example, they can devote all their attention to your cat.
Cons
1. Less Supervision
That said, some cat sitters won’t stay overnight at your home but, instead, will drop in once or twice a day to feed and check on your cat. If that’s the case, your kitty won’t get as much attention or supervision as they would at a boarding facility.
2. Possibility for Untrained or Unreliable Sitters
There are some great cat sitters out there! But, unfortunately, pet sitting doesn’t require any special training or certifications. Anybody who’s willing and able can offer to sit for your cat.
That means you might end up with someone who doesn’t do everything expected of them or, worse, who doesn’t even show up to begin with.
If you go the cat-sitting route, look for a sitter who carries insurance and runs their business in a professional way.
Cat Boarding vs. Cat Sitting: Which Is Right for Your Cat?
Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash
When it comes to deciding between cat boarding and sitting, there’s really no right or wrong answer. The best choice for your cat depends on their personality, behavior, and unique needs.
Boarding is a great option for cats who acclimate to new environments well and are generally pretty sociable. It’s also beneficial if your kitty needs more supervision, like medication given to them a couple of times a day (unless, of course, your cat sitter stays overnight in your home).
Cat sitting, on the other hand, may be best for cats who are shy or naturally anxious or territorial. It may also be a good choice for senior cats.
Something else to consider is the length of your trip. If you’re only going to be away for a couple of days, having someone pop by to check on and feed your kitty a few times while you’re gone is probably fine.
But if you’re going to be gone for multiple days and nights, putting your cat in a quality boarding facility is your best bet. That way, they don’t get lonely or stressed from your absence.
Questions to Ask Before Making Your Decision
Before you can choose cat boarding vs. cat sitting, it’s important to gather all the information possible. The questions below can help.
Ask cat sitters:
Are you comfortable staying in my home, or will you only be stopping by daily?
Do you have pets of your own?
How much experience do you have?
Do you have any references?
Have you been trained?
What do you charge?
How will you provide updates?
Ask cat boarding facilities:
What kind of ongoing training do staff members get?
Is there a vet on site?
How will you provide updates?
What are the nightly rates, and are there any additional fees?
How often do cats get one-on-one attention?
Can I tour the facility ahead of time?
What kind of safety guidelines do you use?
Of course, these are just examples of the kinds of things you’ll want to ask before making your decision. You might come up with additional questions you need answered before you can feel comfortable leaving your cat.
That’s OK! It’s always better to ask too many questions than not enough when your sweet kitty’s health and safety are involved.
Enjoy Peace of Mind with Around the World Pet Resort
Cat boarding vs. cat sitting: which is right for you and your feline friend? That’s a question only you can answer. When you consider all the pros and cons of both, as well as your cat’s unique personality and needs, we’re confident you’ll make the right choice.
If you’re thinking about boarding your cat, we would love to help! At Around the World Pet Resort, we offer lots of play time, spacious accommodations, and extensively trained staff to care for and love your kitty while you’re away.
Reach out to learn more, and get ready to give your pet a vacation experience like no other!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats feel abandoned when boarded?
Not necessarily. When cats are boarded, they might feel curious, timid, or even a little stressed. But once they realize they’re safe and cared for, they usually adjust and start to relax.
The amount of time it takes for that to happen depends on your cat’s natural inclinations. If they’re generally shy or anxious, it might take longer for them to get used to their new environment.
How much is it to board a cat daily?
This answer varies depending on your location and the specific facility you choose. Basic boarding usually costs anywhere from $15 to $30 per night, while more luxury boarding facilities or “cat hotels” can cost as much as $60 a night or more.
You’ll also want to remember that there are usually additional fees for boarding more than one cat.
What are the red flags in a pet sitter?
If you choose to go with a cat sitter instead of boarding your cat, watch for these red flags:
Poor communication
Refusing to meet you and your pet before your trip
A lack of references
No contract or insurance
Overbooking
Not asking specific questions about your cat’s needs
If you notice any of these red flags, you probably want to consider finding a different cat sitter.
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