Boarding a Cat

[Mimi Q]

I am making arrangements for the dog and our two cats next month when we vacation for 11 days. I think I am going to board our 16 year old cat. Anyone have any problems with boarding their cat?

 

[Mimi Q]

 

[helenabear]

We've rarely done it in the past, and there wasn't too much trouble with it. I do prefer to board my pets at our vet... especially if I had a 16 year old cat.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Are you going to board the cats together or just one of them? I know that the change of environment and the loss of his/her friend might be a lot to take. I second the boarding at a vet but I'd board them together if possible so they have a little bit of things being the same. I've always read that if possible it's best to keep cats at home and have someone look after them as they just don't like to be away from home and in a strange place.

 

[Rozzie]

I boarded my cat when we moved last year, still after the storm and the vet had no room. So I did the dogs and cat at the same place. Been in business for 25 years, went and checked out the place first. It wasen't a sparkling castle, but it was clean, and the owners were animal people, and trained Sheperds for a living. The cat had never been boarded and he is 9. Well, to make a long boring story short, the cat did great. Sometimes I don't think I give him enough credit. He can adjust pretty well. Lord knows he's had practice moving around with me in all my adventures.

 

[Tina]

We boarded our two cats years ago at a wonderful place called Mrs. Petlove's in southern California. While it was immaculate and very appealing to us, the cats hated it. They refused to eat the entire time they were there and it seemed pretty traumatic for them. Since that time, we've always had a petsitter come into our home instead.

 

[Rhonda922]

I agree with what someone said earlier about leaving them at home, if at all possible. I took my cats to a place once before to have them boarded and they didn't like it at all. They were in a strange place with nothing at all familiar. They hardly touched their food and my cats have really good appetites. If you can, I would leave them at home where they are use to being and maybe have someone you trust stop in and make sure the kitties are fed. If the person doesn't mind, maybe they could also sift the kitty litter. When we go on vacation, we always leave our kitties at home. They are left with a ton of food and a ton of water, and their toys. I wash out their litter boxes the night before we leave and fill them with fresh litter. The cats are much happier being here on the sofa or on our bed than in a cage in a strange place.

meow

 

[FayeW]

When I had two cats, I would leave them home and had a pet sitter service come in every second day to change (dry) food and water, and clean the litter box. Now that we only have one, I was planning on boarding him. That decison was made for us this week, when my bad kitty got out while we were painting (left the patio door open) and was gone for 3 days. He was bitten by another animal, and someone found him and took him in. They also took him to their vet, who tracked us down with his microchip. Now that he is on antibiotics and has to have his medication twice a day, the best choice is to board him.

 

[bicker]

I worry about boarding our cats. They've never gotten sick when we've left them home while we were on vacation (kitty sitter visiting each day, to feed, clean and play), but we have had trouble with cats getting sick while being boarded. There are no guarantees either way, but we're going to continue to play the odds that have paid off better for us up to now.

 

[escape]

I've done it both ways....stay at home and board with the vet. Both ways were fine. I really had more of a peace of mind when boarding my cats. I knew they were safe and well taken care of.

 

[Mimi Q]

Yes, I would only be boarding the one cat. Our 8 year old cat, Sassy is strictly an indoor cat, and he does fine on his own when we vacation. I have someone come by daily to feed and check on him. Our 16 year old cat, Meriweather usually stays out during the day and sleeps in the house. So, if she stays here someone will have to come by to let her out in the morning and come by again to let her in at night. If she is confined to the house, she will urinate all over the carpet. Meriweather absolutely refuses to use the litter box. She also hates Sassy, so I don't think she'd care if he boarded with her or not. Meriweather would be boarded at our regular vet's office. He is a close friend of the family, so I know they would take good care of her. I just don't want to stress her out too much. My MIL kept Meriweather once for us at her house- the first thing she did was jump on her king sized bed and pee in the middle of her comforter. So it's my house or the vet.

 

[Meezers]

This trip I am boarding my 2 (or possibly 3) cats and DM is boarding 1. We decided to board them since we didn't want them to start any bad habits (peeing where they shouldn't) while we are gone.

We are using a National chain called "Best Friends"...all they do is boarding and grooming...they even do Day Care!

Mavric and Hannah will be in a 4 level "condo" with a private area for the litter box. I make sure to take them their own blankie and some toys.

The cat "condos" are in a separate room so no one except employees can get in....you can get play time if you want..costs extra.

I really like this place...have boarded DN Nicoli there several times and this will be the second time for the kitty babies!