Animals are creatures of habit, and cats seem to be easily upset when their routines are disrupted. They are also not fond of strange places or people. If you are going to have to board your cat while you are out of town, you want to make the experience as least stressful for everyone involved as possible. Here are a few tips that might make things easier on you, your cat, and the care provider.
Pre-boarding Visits
Before you take the cat to be boarded, take it there to meet with the staff. Allow it to roam around a bit and to see the boarding facilities. If other cats will be there while yours is, have them meet each other if possible. If you are going to be gone for more than just a few days, make arrangements for your cat to spend the night as a trial run. The idea is to get your pet familiar with the people, place, and other animals so there is less stress when you leave it there.
Provide Food, Toys, and Medications
Although the boarding facility might supply food for your cat while you are gone, if it is not the same brand and type your cat is used to eating it can cause tummy problems. It is always a good idea to take your pet's food to be sure the right kind is there. If your pet has a favorite toy, blanket, or scratching post, take that too. The familiar smells and items can help keep your pet happy and relaxed. It is also important that any medications the animal is currently taking go to the boarding place too.
Tell the Staff About Your Pet
If your cat hates to be pet on its head, tell the staff about this. You should also mention any quirks or habits the animal has, such as a fear of thunder, a bad habit of flipping a water or food bowl, or even abnormal sleeping habits. The more the staff knows about your cat, the better they can treat it and keep it to its routine.
You will feel better knowing that the boarding facility and staff will do everything possible to keep your pet happy and relaxed. Preparing yourself and the cat for the upcoming trip is the best way to make sure you do not spend your vacation worrying excessively and will help your cat have a good time too. However, be prepared for a bit of the cold shoulder after picking it up; your cat wants you to know it did not appreciate being left behind, even if it enjoyed the vacation too.
For more information about cat boarding, contact a nearby facility, such as Cat Care Clinic.
