Should I Board My Cat or Leave at Home? (2023)

FAQs

Is it better to board a cat or leave at home? ›

In most cases, it's fine to leave your cat at home if the home is secure and safe. The challenge with keeping your cat at home is finding someone to check on your cat regularly—which is a problem you don't have when you decide to board your cat.

Provide Your Cat with Attention without Returning Home

If you have a cat sitter supervising them for an hour or two per day, you can safely leave them for up to a week. Any longer than that and your kitty will surely miss your constant presence at home!

“Some do well if left alone for a day or two as long as you provide adequate food and water and extra litter boxes.” You still need to have somebody check on your cats regularly: An elderly and/or sick cat may need medicating. Kittens should be checked on.

For most cats, one visit a day is fine, but if they required medication or you'd like them to have a little more TLC then we can visit twice per day. And you can mix and match it if you like. So maybe one visit a day, with 2 visits every third day.

Your cat can feel quite alone during the loss of their normal routine when you are away. So: If you go on a holiday, ask your personal cat sitter to not only give your cat their usual fresh water, food and cat litter, but also sufficient time to play and attention.

Regardless of their reputation, cats do get lonely when they are left unattended for long periods of time. Research proves that cats are social beings that form strong bonds with their owners. Do cats get sad when you leave? Short answer: yes.

Even though cats are pretty self-sufficient, you shouldn't leave your cat home alone for more than 2-3 days maximum. If you have a young kitten, an older cat, or a solo cat, that time should be more like 1-2 days but you know your cat(s) the best.

Anyone simply "present" in their life is someone they may remember, but not associate with any emotion. But as long as you and your cat have shared a pet or two, and as long as you fed them a few of their favorite meals, your cat will remember you as well no matter how long you are gone.

A Boarding Facility (Kennels)

This is also probably the best option for your pet when you are on vacation. Boarding facilities should be run by professionals who will make sure your cat is always, fed, watered, supervised, and get's quality one-on-one time.

A Boarding Facility (Kennels)

In addition to this, boarding is probably the best place to leave your cat when you are on vacation. Boarding facilities should be run by professionals who make sure your cat always has food and water, is supervised at all times, and is getting quality one-on-one time.

Will my cat be OK in a hotel? ›

Whether or not you leave your cat alone in your hotel room or rental is a matter of personal comfort and preference. If your cat is nervous, I wouldn't recommend leaving her alone in your room until she's settled. Otherwise, I think it's okay as long as you have the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.

You might think that with the 15 hours a day your cat spends napping that she may not have time to get bored. But unfortunately, cats can—and do— get bored.

It feels good right? We want our pets to have that same peaceful comfort by keeping their schedules as close to normal as possible! So as a pro who has seen it all, I highly recommend keeping your kitty's normal schedule with daily, or even twice a day visits to maintain their feeding schedule and human comfort.

While you don't need to pay a friend or family member as much as you would someone hired from the outside, offering fair compensation is the right thing to do. After all, showing mutual respect is a huge part of maintaining long-lasting relationships, so do your part to treat your loved ones well.

As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive. Your cat should not be left alone for long periods of time.

“There is great debate about how much cats mind their owners leaving,” Stelow told The Dodo. “One study showed that some cats show signs of separation anxiety when left; these cats were most likely to urinate outside their litter boxes or be destructive.

Yes, they do. The cats miss the owners whenever they are away or have been detached from the owner. They notice the absence of all the showered love their owners have left for them.

Feeling guilty about leaving your pet throughout the day is a sign that you care. You may experience guilt because you love and care for your pet and do not like the thought of them being home by their self without you.

Cats are incredibly perceptive and the way they "attach" to people isn't always obvious. For the most part, cats don't mind being alone, particularly if your absence is part of a routine. Anxiety and behavioral issues are two of the most common ways cats show their displeasure with being home alone.

Can I leave my cat home alone for 7 days? ›

However, cats should not be left alone unattended for more than one day. While each cat's individual needs vary, it's important to not leave them alone for prolonged periods of time to minimize risk of separation anxiety, medical issues, and frantic attempts to escape or avoid abandonment.

In general, vets say it's okay to leave your cat alone for up to 24 hours at a time. As long as they have a clean litter box, access to fresh water, and a full meal before you go, they should be fine for a day. Any longer than that, though, is pushing it.

In fact, they're not that different from dogs at all in that regard; domesticated cats who are deprived of human contact for too long are indeed susceptible to feelings of separation anxiety, in addition to the obvious health complications that come from not having their physical needs met.

When cats don't feel threatened by other cats, they will show affection by rubbing on them, sleeping near them, and being in their presence. If your cat replicates those behaviors with you, Delgado says it has officially imprinted on you. They rub against you.

Age also plays a part in how long cats can be by themselves. Cats under 4 months old should spend a maximum of two-to-four hours alone, six-month old cats up to eight hours, and grown up cats up to 24 hours.

They aren't going to think about the minutes or hours you're gone. Instead, your cat is going to think about the number of mealtimes you've been gone, how long they've slept, the cycle of the sun, and other natural factors that tell them the time.

“Cats are creatures of habit, and when their people leave or if they are boarded, it can be highly disruptive,” says Taylor Truitt, DVM, CEO of The Vet Set in Brooklyn, New York. “When you return home, they [usually] are confused by yet another change of habit and the new smells you bring in.

Ensuring that your cat has regular attention by loving members of staff is especially crucial for felines that are susceptible to separation anxiety! One of the advantages of cat boarding is the peace of mind you will have knowing that your cat is being looked after while you are away!

Some find the sights, sounds and smells of unfamiliar places, people and other cats overwhelming and anxiety inducing. Even travelling to and from the cattery can cause them stress.

Boarding multiple cats can work better because you have the option to board them separately (but near each other) if they don't become stressed during their stay. Each cat benefits from individualized attention and constant care when they're boarded, so you won't have to worry about your beloved pets' safety.

Should I FaceTime my cat while on vacation? ›

The bottom line is, most dogs can't recognize faces on phone screens or tablets. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't FaceTime or Skype with your pets while you're out of town! It won't harm them, and they may even recognize and be comforted by the sound of your voice.

A 30-minute cat sitting service usually ranges from about $18 to $28 per event. The average national cost of a 30-minute cat sitting service is $23.10.

Hosts who are open to having animals stay will select Pets Allowed and this will be displayed in the amenities list. But in general it's expected that guests with pets should contact a host before making the booking to ensure the space is appropriate.

If you think your kitty might be nervous in a hotel, you'll want to be prepared before you go. Bring along some calming treats, his favorite toys, and a cat calming defuser. You might also consider a kitty Thundershirt, which swaddles your cat to help him feel less anxious.

Airbnb's pet policy, explained

There may be a one-time pet fee to accommodate an animal or a cleaning fee to remove cat or dog hair after your stay. Airbnb recommends contacting the host before booking to confirm that they allow pets or if there are any restrictions, such as if dogs are allowed, but cats aren't.

Encourage your cat to play with toys and rotate them regularly to prevent over-familiarity and boredom. Use toys that emulate the natural hunting sequence – Locate, Stalk, Chase, Pounce, Kill, Dissect and Eat.

You'll know your cat is happy if they show affection to you and want to interact with you. A content kitty loves scritches, snuggles, head boops, and lap sits. Every cat is different, of course, and some prefer to lay near you rather than on you. In general, though, a happy cat shows it by being close to their human.

And so I tell prospective clients just that: Pet Sitters need to visit kitties at least once every 24 hours, and pups at the very least twice per day.

Twice-daily visits are ideal for cats who eat two separate meals in the morning and evening, cats who take medication, and for kittens and seniors who would benefit from being checked on more often. Again, they can be shorter or longer visits depending on your cat's needs.

Generally speaking, most cats are more suited to a cat sitter than being transported to a cattery. This is a smoother and less disruptive experience for your cat, which is more suitable for the feline temperament.

How do I decline pet sitting? ›

Thank the person for her interest in your business. You don't owe her an apology, but you owe her a thank you. Tell her you hope to care for her pets in the future, and recommend another pet sitter for the meantime. Think about what you'll say ahead of time.

Cats looked after at home are happier

You can find a host family. Or you can use a pet-sitter! But house sitters are the ideal solution when you're away any length of time, because cats are territorial animals and don't like to be moved. They enjoy human presence and need to feel their house is full of life.

Boarding and kennels aren't just for dogs, lots of boarding facilities also welcome cats. This is also probably the best option for your pet when you are on vacation. Boarding facilities should be run by professionals who will make sure your cat is always, fed, watered, supervised, and get's quality one-on-one time.

In general, vets say it's okay to leave your cat alone for up to 24 hours at a time. As long as they have a clean litter box, access to fresh water, and a full meal before you go, they should be fine for a day. Any longer than that, though, is pushing it.

No matter how independent your cat is, we do not recommend leaving your cat alone without daily visits from a friend or a professional cat-sitter for more than two or three days. Today, there are many options to care for your cat while you are away. Keep in mind that, cats tend to be independent, territorial animals.

Cats who eat dry food that you can make readily available may be left on their own for 24-48 hours as long as fresh water is accessible as well. Beyond that time frame, water may get too dirty to drink and the litter box full.

Most pet owners and veterinarians say “yes” you should leave your air conditioner on for your pet. It gives your dog or cat a sense of relief.

A Boarding Facility (Kennels)

In addition to this, boarding is probably the best place to leave your cat when you are on vacation. Boarding facilities should be run by professionals who make sure your cat always has food and water, is supervised at all times, and is getting quality one-on-one time.