How to Prepare Your Cat for Boarding: Packing List & Tips
- The Team at Around the World
- May 5
- 7 min read
Photo by Madalyn Cox on Unsplash
Cats are fiercely independent. While they can form strong bonds with their humans, most of the time, they’re perfectly fine on their own. But even the most self-reliant kitty needs someone to care for them while their favorite person is away from home.
That’s where boarding comes in. But knowing how to prepare your cat for boarding can be daunting, especially if it’s their first time.
Here, we’ll walk you through what to think about before your trip and what to pack for your cat to have the best experience possible. Let your feline friend’s adventure begin!
The Takeaways
To prepare your cat for boarding, see a veterinarian to make sure they’re healthy and current on vaccinations, research local facilities, visit your top choices, get your cat used to traveling, and consider calming aids.
Items to pack for your cat’s boarding stay include important information (such as health records), comfort items, their favorite toys, their usual food, and any necessary medications.
Consider letting your cat do a trial run, in which they stay at your chosen boarding facility for a day to get used to the space and the staff.
Table of Contents
How to Prepare Your Cat for Boarding: Tips
How to Prepare Your Cat for Boarding: What to Pack
The Trial Run
How to Prepare Your Cat for Boarding: Tips
Whether you’re at a work conference or lounging on a beach with an umbrella drink in your hand, the last thing you want to worry about while you’re out of town is if your cat’s being taken care of.
Here’s what you need to do before boarding your kitty to ensure they have loads of (safe) fun.
See a Veterinarian Before the Trip
Most pet boarding facilities require pets to meet certain criteria before they’ll allow them to stay.
Take your cat to the veterinarian to make sure they’re current on vaccinations, including FVRCP and rabies. You’ll also need to have your cat spayed or neutered before boarding them if they’re over a certain age.
And because boarding facilities won’t take a pet that might be contagious, it’s best to have your vet go ahead and perform a complete check-up so you can prove your kitty is healthy.
These requirements are for your cat’s well-being and to protect all boarding guests against common diseases. Illnesses can spread fast when multiple pets from different homes get together!
Of course, each facility has its own guidelines, so always check your preferred boarding facility’s specific stay requirements and other rules before taking your pet there.
Research Local Boarding Facilities
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important. Before you choose where to board your cat, do some thorough research. Start by searching online for boarding facilities in your area, but go beyond simply browsing their websites.
Look at reviews previous clients have left on Google, Yelp, or other review sites. Even better if those reviews include photos! Once you’ve done this for a few facilities, you can narrow down your choices and decide which ones might work for you and your cat.
Visit Your Top Choices
Online research is great, but sometimes you can’t get the full picture of a place until you see it in person. You want to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that your sweet kitty is being looked after in a safe, clean facility.
Of course, full kennels most likely won’t be as spotless as a sterile hospital room, but reputable boarding facilities should have regular cleaning practices in place. When you walk in, the facility overall should look (and smell!) clean.
During these in-person visits, you can also talk to the staff about their policies, the accommodations for cats, how often they send pet parents updates, and any other questions you may have.
Get Your Cat Used to Traveling
If your feline friend has never gone on a car ride before, or if it’s been a while, they might not react too well to being toted around in a carrier or driven in a car. This can be a super stressful experience for them, so it’s best to ease them into it.
Start by placing treats and toys in the carrier and putting your cat in it for five or 10 minutes at a time. Then you can move on to taking your cat, in their carrier, for short rides until they seem more comfortable.
Consider Calming Aids
It’s possible to safely help your kitty stay relaxed during the ride to the boarding facility and the drop-off process. Vet-approved calming aids can work wonders!
You can try synthetic pheromones, which make cats feel comfortable by mimicking natural feline scents. These are drug-free, perfectly safe for your kitty when used correctly, and come in sprays and diffusers. You can even get a cat collar that’s infused with pheromones.
There are also cat-safe, over-the-counter options in the form of food and treats. Delicious and calming!
That said, if your cat seems to have severe anxiety every time you bring out the carrier, talk to your veterinarian. They might recommend prescription medication. Signs of anxiety in cats include excessive meowing, over-grooming, hiding, and aggression.
How to Prepare Your Cat for Boarding: What to Pack
Photo by Adrien on Unsplash
Now that you know a bit more about how to prepare your cat for boarding, let’s talk about what to pack for your feline’s big adventure.
As you read through this list, keep in mind that some boarding facilities don’t allow blankets or other items from home. It’s always a good idea to check the facility’s guidelines before packing.
Important Information
This might go without saying, but the most important thing to bring with your cat to the boarding facility is all of their vital information.
Here’s what to include:
Identification (your cat’s and yours)
Health records, including vaccinations
Emergency contact names and numbers
Any allergies or medical conditions
Your cat’s habits, fears, etc.
Knowing that the people caring for your feline companion have all this info will help you relax and enjoy your trip!
Comfort Items
Felines have a keen sense of smell, and recent studies show that domestic cats can recognize their owners by their scent. So if you think your kitty might get anxious or nervous when you drop them off, consider packing something with your scent on it, like an unwashed shirt.
You can also bring your cat’s favorite blanket or pet bed. The scent of your home, combined with the familiar texture, might be comforting to them.
Your Cat’s Favorite Toys
Similarly, packing one or two of your feline friend’s favorite toys is also a good idea. Whether it’s a laser pointer, scratching post, fake mouse, or something soft they can knead, your cat will enjoy the playtime!
Their Usual Food
Cats have sensitive digestive tracts, so switching their food too abruptly can cause digestive problems or even prevent them from eating altogether. Certain facilities provide cat food for an extra cost, but it might be best to pack your feline’s usual food to keep their tummy happy.
Important note: Some boarding facilities require you to bring your cat’s food already portioned out for each feeding (and might even charge an extra fee if it's not!). Again, check guidelines and requirements before choosing where to board your cat and before making your packing list.
Any Necessary Medications
If your cat takes medication every day, like for pain management, anxiety, or parasite prevention, be sure to pack it for their boarding stay.
Missing even a couple of doses can have serious health consequences in some cases. For that reason, be sure you also leave detailed instructions for the people who will be taking care of your pet.
The Trial Run
You’ll feel a lot more comfortable leaving your cat at a boarding facility if you know they’ll be OK. One way to make sure of that? Do a trial run!
During the trial run, your kitty will spend a full day at the facility. This helps your cat feel comfortable with the space and get to know the staff members who will be caring for them.
While many boarding facilities require a trial run before they’ll accept your cat for an overnight stay, that’s not always the case, and you may have to request it. Either way, we recommend giving your kitty (and yourself!) the chance to test out the experience.
Pro tip: Check out the First Time Day Trip service we offer at Around the World Pet Resort. With this special one-day adventure, your cat will have a chance to experience our luxury spaces and interact with our team members.
Give Your Cat a Luxury Stay!
A great stay starts with the boarding facility you choose. At Around the World Pet Resort, your cat will have a vacation experience like no other.
They’ll get spacious accommodations, no upcharges for meal preparation or medication administration, and extensively trained staff who provide lots of love while you’re gone.
Boarding your cat can be stressful, especially if it’s your or their first time. But with the tips above, you can prepare your cat for boarding with confidence.
Ready to give your feline friend the best stay ever? Reach out today to let us take extra special care of your cat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats feel abandoned when boarded?
While cats might not experience the level of separation anxiety that dogs can experience, boarding disrupts their routine and exposes them to new environments, which can be stressful for them.
They might miss their owner and feel anxious and lonely for a while, but the good news is that they won’t feel abandoned in the sense that we think of abandonment as humans.
To help your cat have a good boarding experience, prepare them in advance and let them take a day trip to the facility so they can meet the staff and get used to the space.
How long can I leave my cat alone?
Cats are pretty independent overall, so they’re usually OK on their own for a while. That said, your cat shouldn’t be alone for longer than 24 to 48 hours. Anything beyond that increases the risk that your kitty will run out of food or clean water or experience some sort of emergency.
What’s more, being bored or understimulated can lead to destructive behavior in cats. It’s in your best interest to prevent the damage to your home that can cause!
How should I keep my cat entertained while I’m on vacation?
The best way to keep your cat stimulated and happy while you’re away from home is to hire a pet sitter or let them stay in a boarding facility. Either way, your kitty will get the care and attention they need. Just be sure to leave them with plenty of toys for lots of playtime fun!
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