Planning A Trip? 4 Tips To Keep Your Cat Happy At A Boarding Facility
Vacation time is right around the corner. Time to start planning your family activities. If you have a cat, it's also time to start planning for its care. If you won't be leaving your cat at home, you'll need to find a suitable cat boarding service for it. While you're away, you want to make sure that your cat is happy and well-cared for. Here are four tips that will help ensure that your cat has a comfortable stay at the boarding facility.
Schedule a Tour
If you've never left your cat with strangers before, the first thing you should do is schedule a tour of the facility. This will ensure that you're familiar with the environment your cat will be staying in. It will also allow you to meet the staff that will be caring for your cat. While you're there, be sure to check out the sleeping arrangements. If possible, you want your cat to have its own sleeping quarters. You'll also want to make sure the facility passes the smell test. That means, it doesn't smell like rotting food, feces, or stale urine.
Bring Your Own Food
If your cat is a finnicky eater, make sure you bring provide food from home while you're away. The last thing you want is to find out that your cat wouldn't eat properly while you're away. If the facility you've chosen won't allow you to bring your own cat food, consult other facilities until you find one that will accommodate your needs.
Quarantine Your Cat Before Leaving
If your cat has never spent time away from you, it might be stressing over the packing and preparation that's going on. To make sure your cat doesn't get outside and hide from you, be sure to watch it closely. Keep your cat inside the house the night before you leave. This will ensure that you know where it is when it's time to pack up and leave.
Pack Memories from Home
If your cat has a favorite blanket or toy, bring it along to the boarding facility. Having a familiar item on hand will help your cat overcome homesickness. It will also provide your cat with familiar scents from home.
Now that you're getting ready for vacation, use the tips provided here to help your cat settle into their boarding facility. Talk to the staff about other ways to help your cat adjust the temporary housing changes it will experience.