Cat Boarding ?

[shh]

It's tough, when our last cat crossed the rainbow bridge we made a decision that we would have no more pets. We wanted to not have to deal with that in retirement.

I am really going back and forth on that. I love pets and can't imagine not having them. They brighten my daily life. But it must be blissful to just lock the front door and travel carefree, vs all the cleaning/prep to make sure the house is presentable for those visiting daily, getting food, meds and emergency info all set up, checking in daily (especially once the pets are older).

Once pets are in their final years or experiencing more chronic health issues, we've just avoided travel entirely, as I wasn't comfortable relying on others to administer complex med dosages or multiple treatments daily.

That'll definitely be a decision I'll need to make one day soon. Exchange the daily joy for occasional travel freedom? Or vice versa?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Cats may appear to be more self-sufficient and that is true in the sense that they don't need to be walked a few times a day or let outside to go to the bathroom. It doesn't mean leave them alone while gone and just leave food or water.

Boarding for many cats is more stressful but that can depend on the temperament of the cat. We could not board our cat unless under extreme conditions. We just have someone (most of the time my mom or my mother-in-law) check on our cat every day. He has an automatic feeder for dry food, we leave copious amounts of water and he has 3 litter boxes (although only used 2 majority of the time).

While the initial investment is somewhat high an automatic feeder can help alleviate some concern about food because you at least know several times a day they'll get food. Cats don't typically like stagnant stale water (and in the summer time that is prime insect attractant) so we leave bowls out in the bedroom and closet (as he loves to go in there) more as emergency ones and ask for the ones elsewhere to be redone frequently.

Our cat doesn't normally come out for anyone who comes over so he's not needing playtime but it does mean he still gets his wet food unless for someone reason someone couldn't come over (which is why the automatic dry food feeder comes in handy) and there's at least the sound of someone he can hear.

Our vet is a cat only clinic and they do boarding services. If that extreme condition came about for us I would feel comfortable trusting them. They also have different levels you can pay for. Cat suites (3 levels allows for more jumping around), cat condos (2 levels more for the less active cat), family rooms (for multi-cat households), and treatment rooms for diabetics. Still though the best for us is to leave our cat in our house, he's known as a tyrant cat but there are many cats that are mellow easy going that can handle boarding with ease. We do have plenty of people throughout the neighborhoods that offer pet sitting services though although I understand the hesitancy in relying on that.

Do you know if the person from Rover that is moving away could recommend anyone they know? Since you had a good experience with them perhaps they have a recommendation they could pass along.

 

[emmabelle]

we're at the point that I can't vacation with my daughter anymore because one of us has to stay with the boys. Two elderly cats, both on meds, one with chronic constipation, one with hypothyroidism. My cat gets depressed when I'm away even though my daughter is home. He's hardly interested in food and very needy. Her cat doesn't seem to care if she's not around but does leave "presents" around a lot. I would feel awful having someone else cleaning up after him. Thank you for letting me vent.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have this same problem. I have 2 cats that I have tried 2 separate kennels. The one was a so called “pet spa” and the other one a “retreat”. In both kennels they were still confined to a fairly small cage! Both places had cameras so I could check on them. I even paid extra for “extra cuddle time”. They were miserable! So, when I went away this last week for 4 days, I tried something different. I have an automatic pet feeder that I used (PetSafe on Amazon) and a medium size water dispenser. I put 2 litter boxes down In a designated room. (They were confined to an unused bedroom.). And I have an Arlo security camera in that room so I could check on them from wherever I was. The pet feeder is set for 2 times a day. So at 8:00 am & 5 pm, they are fed. I have a light on a timer that goes on and off at a certain time. My sister comes over once a day to scoop the litter box! With all this in place, I felt a little better leaving them at home for 4 days! The whole key to this working is having someone you trust who can, at the very least, check on them once a day! The cats looked very relaxed every time I checked on them, via the security camera!

TC

 

[kymom99]

Cats may appear to be more self-sufficient and that is true in the sense that they don't need to be walked a few times a day or let outside to go to the bathroom. It doesn't mean leave them alone while gone and just leave food or water.

Boarding for many cats is more stressful but that can depend on the temperament of the cat. We could not board our cat unless under extreme conditions. We just have someone (most of the time my mom or my mother-in-law) check on our cat every day. He has an automatic feeder for dry food, we leave copious amounts of water and he has 3 litter boxes (although only used 2 majority of the time).

While the initial investment is somewhat high an automatic feeder can help alleviate some concern about food because you at least know several times a day they'll get food. Cats don't typically like stagnant stale water (and in the summer time that is prime insect attractant) so we leave bowls out in the bedroom and closet (as he loves to go in there) more as emergency ones and ask for the ones elsewhere to be redone frequently.

Our cat doesn't normally come out for anyone who comes over so he's not needing playtime but it does mean he still gets his wet food unless for someone reason someone couldn't come over (which is why the automatic dry food feeder comes in handy) and there's at least the sound of someone he can hear.

Our vet is a cat only clinic and they do boarding services. If that extreme condition came about for us I would feel comfortable trusting them. They also have different levels you can pay for. Cat suites (3 levels allows for more jumping around), cat condos (2 levels more for the less active cat), family rooms (for multi-cat households), and treatment rooms for diabetics. Still though the best for us is to leave our cat in our house, he's known as a tyrant cat but there are many cats that are mellow easy going that can handle boarding with ease. We do have plenty of people throughout the neighborhoods that offer pet sitting services though although I understand the hesitancy in relying on that.

Do you know if the person from Rover that is moving away could recommend anyone they know? Since you had a good experience with them perhaps they have a recommendation they could pass along.

My cat comes out and complains loudly to his caretaker.

I’ll also add, the first day or 2 he won’t eat while we are gone. I suspect he thinks we aren’t coming back and he needs to ration his food.

And yes to the fresh water.

 

[kymom99]

I have this same problem. I have 2 cats that I have tried 2 separate kennels. The one was a so called “pet spa” and the other one a “retreat”. In both kennels they were still confined to a fairly small cage! Both places had cameras so I could check on them. I even paid extra for “extra cuddle time”. They were miserable! So, when I went away this last week for 4 days, I tried something different. I have an automatic pet feeder that I used (PetSafe on Amazon) and a medium size water dispenser. I put 2 litter boxes down In a designated room. (They were confined to an unused bedroom.). And I have an Arlo security camera in that room so I could check on them from wherever I was. The pet feeder is set for 2 times a day. So at 8:00 am & 5 pm, they are fed. I have a light on a timer that goes on and off at a certain time. My sister comes over once a day to scoop the litter box! With all this in place, I felt a little better leaving them at home for 4 days! The whole key to this working is having someone you trust who can, at the very least, check on them once a day! The cats looked very relaxed every time I checked on them, via the security camera!

TC

I think it also helps if you have 2 or more cats.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Cats may appear to be more self-sufficient and that is true in the sense that they don't need to be walked a few times a day or let outside to go to the bathroom. It doesn't mean leave them alone while gone and just leave food or water.

Boarding for many cats is more stressful but that can depend on the temperament of the cat. We could not board our cat unless under extreme conditions. We just have someone (most of the time my mom or my mother-in-law) check on our cat every day. He has an automatic feeder for dry food, we leave copious amounts of water and he has 3 litter boxes (although only used 2 majority of the time).

While the initial investment is somewhat high an automatic feeder can help alleviate some concern about food because you at least know several times a day they'll get food. Cats don't typically like stagnant stale water (and in the summer time that is prime insect attractant) so we leave bowls out in the bedroom and closet (as he loves to go in there) more as emergency ones and ask for the ones elsewhere to be redone frequently.

Our cat doesn't normally come out for anyone who comes over so he's not needing playtime but it does mean he still gets his wet food unless for someone reason someone couldn't come over (which is why the automatic dry food feeder comes in handy) and there's at least the sound of someone he can hear.

Our vet is a cat only clinic and they do boarding services. If that extreme condition came about for us I would feel comfortable trusting them. They also have different levels you can pay for. Cat suites (3 levels allows for more jumping around), cat condos (2 levels more for the less active cat), family rooms (for multi-cat households), and treatment rooms for diabetics. Still though the best for us is to leave our cat in our house, he's known as a tyrant cat but there are many cats that are mellow easy going that can handle boarding with ease. We do have plenty of people throughout the neighborhoods that offer pet sitting services though although I understand the hesitancy in relying on that.

Do you know if the person from Rover that is moving away could recommend anyone they know? Since you had a good experience with them perhaps they have a recommendation they could pass along.

We had the luxury for many years of having my mother watch our dogs for us when we went away, and right at home, since we have an in-law apt. That changed when she was unable to do it anymore as her health deteriorated. At that point we tried a few different things, and none of them were ideal. I also had a coworker who had some bad (unbelievable, really) experiences caught on video with hired pet sitters. Nonetheless, I found out a friend was doing pet sitting, and I trusted her, but our dog didn’t do very well at home by himself and had some accidents even though she was great, and very affordable. So our go-to is the kennel we’ve used since even before my mother came to live with us.

As I said earlier, dog doesn’t like going to the kennel, and starts to get upset when the suitcases come out, but I know he’s safe and well-cared-for there, and if he has an accident due to an alteration in his routine, it’s on a cement floor (and it comes with the territory). But most importantly, he‘s learned we come back for him. It will be a little more heart-wrenching the first time we have to leave our new rescue dog at the kennel, because he still has to learn we’ll be back, and after what he went through being in a shelter and foster home and quarantine and new home and all that, I know I’ll feel bad. But he’ll have his new “brother” there with him, at least, and once he gets past that first time, he’ll also learn that we come back.

I guess sometimes we have to use our heads more than our hearts when making these types of decisions. For many pets, nothing short of being at home with their people will do. But it’s not always possible, or practical, for us to always be home with them. I don’t think allowing us a vacation once or twice a year is too much to ask of them for a nice life otherwise. (Not saying you implied that, just commenting in general.)

 

[kymom99]

My son was in charge of my niece’s dog while my sisters family was away. She is a very old dog who has trouble getting around. She doesn’t like to go out for the bathroom. My son stayed down there most nights and she would go out when she really needed to go. I went down when he worked late. She also won’t eat unless someone is sitting right there. Girl is a bit high maintenance. But she’s a real sweetie. I feel bad for her but I was also worried something would happen while they were gone. My son is not a dog person. He likes them but we have never had one in his lifetime. She was desperate and he agreed to help her out. He’s 23 and very dependable. She paid him but not as much as rover wanted.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We had the luxury for many years of having my mother watch our dogs for us when we went away, and right at home, since we have an in-law apt. That changed when she was unable to do it anymore as her health deteriorated. At that point we tried a few different things, and none of them were ideal. I also had a coworker who had some bad (unbelievable, really) experiences caught on video with hired pet sitters. Nonetheless, I found out a friend was doing pet sitting, and I trusted her, but our dog didn’t do very well at home by himself and had some accidents even though she was great, and very affordable. So our go-to is the kennel we’ve used since even before my mother came to live with us.

As I said earlier, dog doesn’t like going to the kennel, and starts to get upset when the suitcases come out, but I know he’s safe and well-cared-for there, and if he has an accident due to an alteration in his routine, it’s on a cement floor (and it comes with the territory). But most importantly, he‘s learned we come back for him. It will be a little more heart-wrenching the first time we have to leave our new rescue dog at the kennel, because he still has to learn we’ll be back, and after what he went through being in a shelter and foster home and quarantine and new home and all that, I know I’ll feel bad. But he’ll have his new “brother” there with him, at least, and once he gets past that first time, he’ll also learn that we come back.

I guess sometimes we have to use our heads more than our hearts when making these types of decisions. For many pets, nothing short of being at home with their people will do. But it’s not always possible, or practical, for us to always be home with them. I don’t think allowing us a vacation once or twice a year is too much to ask of them for a nice life otherwise. (Not saying you implied that, just commenting in general.)

I realize you quoted me and then said something about commenting in general but honestly I think most of your comment was directed exactly to what I said.

I replied with what works for my cat, I explained about extreme conditions and trusting our cat only clinic if need be, etc and that they have different levels of care (which was in response to people discussing how they looked around at different boarding options like lack of cages because that def. can be a consideration to people looking to board). I do think responding to my post saying that we have to use our heads more than our hearts is well insulting as if I'm not. TBH you sound like you're lecturing me on the mentality of my cat. I do think you mean well but please don't

 

[emmabelle]

This is my house when I watched my son’s cat for a week last August. He didn’t want to come out of my master bathroom so I made it more comfortable for him. A little hard to use the toilet but he finally did venture out of there a day later. He fought me tooth and nail with eating, I must have tried 10 different cans of cat food. To say I was happy when his parents came home would be an understatement. Haha

 

[disney4us2002]

I realize you quoted me and then said something about commenting in general but honestly I think most of your comment was directed exactly to what I said.

I replied with what works for my cat, I explained about extreme conditions and trusting our cat only clinic if need be, etc and that they have different levels of care (which was in response to people discussing how they looked around at different boarding options like lack of cages because that def. can be a consideration to people looking to board). I do think responding to my post saying that we have to use our heads more than our hearts is well insulting as if I'm not. TBH you sound like you're lecturing me on the mentality of my cat. I do think you mean well but please don't

Weren't you commenting on my post even tho you didn't quote me? "Cats may appear to be more self-sufficient and that is true in the sense that they don't need to be walked a few times a day or let outside to go to the bathroom. It doesn't mean leave them alone while gone and just leave food or water." That sounds a bit like lecturing to me.

We don't have any cats now but we always left ours alone during vacation. They were fine when we returned. To each his own.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My cat comes out and complains loudly to his caretaker.

I’ll also add, the first day or 2 he won’t eat while we are gone. I suspect he thinks we aren’t coming back and he needs to ration his food.

And yes to the fresh water.

Our cat saves his complaints until we're home..maybe that's a blessing to the caretakers not having to hear him lol he incessantly talks the first couple of days after we get home.

Yes our cat is like that as well with food. I think ours is more the initial stress of us gone. He much prefers his wet food vs his dry food but he's slower to eat both that in the first day or so. After that his appetite picks up although he still is stressed out.

Our cat prefers the tub for water but he'll make do with water bowls and his water fountain..he'll just grumble about it

 

[kymom99]

This is my house when I watched my son’s cat for a week last August. He didn’t want to come out of my master bathroom so I made it more comfortable for him. A little hard to use the toilet but he finally did venture out of there a day later. He fought me tooth and nail with eating, I must have tried 10 different cans of cat food. To say I was happy when his parents came home would be an understatement. Haha




View attachment 681880

Love your bathroom! Beautiful!

 

[nw6675]

OP here, thanks for all the great suggestions and anecdotes! We can't leave them alone for more than a day or two because our lovable, but misbehaving tomcat will get into something. In Dec he somehow got into a sealed box and ate 3 FEET of ribbon. $1500 later..

Our Shih Tzu now loves boarding at our vet. The staff fawn all over her and I think she enjoys the vacation from the cats!!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Weren't you commenting on my post even tho you didn't quote me? "Cats may appear to be more self-sufficient and that is true in the sense that they don't need to be walked a few times a day or let outside to go to the bathroom. It doesn't mean leave them alone while gone and just leave food or water." That sounds a bit like lecturing to me.

We don't have any cats now but we always left ours alone during vacation. They were fine when we returned. To each his own.

Yes and no. You were not the single poster to mention leaving cats alone for days on end. As far as "they were fine" well nowhere did I say cats wouldn't be fine fine is very hmmm vague at the same time neutral. Different temperaments and situations affect different cats. The veterinary advice though is to not leave cats unattended for longer stretches and leaving food and water not just a solution. Whether your cat is fine according to each owner is subjective.

Our cat ended up with a bladder stone because he was so stressed at us moving. That takes time to build up. That was also when our vet recommended a fountain and a can of wet food a day. As a pet owner it was very difficult seeing him pee on our bed and then seeing him pass the bladder stone in the tub after bathing him due to blood and urine and it was due to stress.

My mother-in-law has had up to 8 cats at one time although now has 7. While those cats can be left alone for longer than ours she still has us coming in daily just for cat litter boxes lol.

We actually ran into an issue in May when we went to Disney. At that time it was unseasonably cool. Most people had switched back on their heat when it was apparent spring was not going to happen consistently enough this year. It was 40s and 50s with some 60s mixed in. Well below average. We left and a heat wave of over 100 index hit quickly. My mom messaged that she switched the A/C on. Glad we had someone stop by every day because with that heat even with an energy efficient house it would have gotten too hot. Although some people do have controllable thermostats by an app so that's nice. Even now today it's going to be a heat index of 108.

Cats are all different in their temperaments but there's a component in there that isn't just about an individual cat's reaction to be left alone. That's why the "they were fine" part adds a layer in there.

If we're talking about dogs, dogs are way different. A dog can be left alone in a house and pee pads just left out and food and water even if it's advisable they get a walk/exercise. I'm sure they could be fine too. However, I'd like to see someone kennel train our cat and getting out alive

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I realize you quoted me and then said something about commenting in general but honestly I think most of your comment was directed exactly to what I said.

I replied with what works for my cat, I explained about extreme conditions and trusting our cat only clinic if need be, etc and that they have different levels of care (which was in response to people discussing how they looked around at different boarding options like lack of cages because that def. can be a consideration to people looking to board). I do think responding to my post saying that we have to use our heads more than our hearts is well insulting as if I'm not. TBH you sound like you're lecturing me on the mentality of my cat. I do think you mean well but please don't

Not at all. Jeez. Was mainly responding to your saying you have family to watch your cats right now. I did, too, but had to come up with other options eventually. That is all. Everything does not have to be an argument or against you, Mackenzie.

 

[shh]

Please realize this is definitely nothing personal meant against others who feel differently. It's my own nervous nature: I'd be way too scared to leave a domesticated animal all alone in a locked home with no one at least popping in just to make sure they're not in distress.

There are just too many things that could go wrong - they get sick, slip off furniture or get into something and break or injure themselves. It would torment me to no end to imagine an animal scared and suffering all alone, possibly dying with no human to get them to a vet, comfort them or reach out to someone for help.

In fact, I guarantee this is EXACTLY the nightmare scenario I'd be imagining every single darn day of my "vacation" even though the cat would likely be purrfectly fine. (sorry - couldn't resist.)

I guess though if you had a camera, that could help, as you could check remotely and call someone if needed. But I still wouldn't do it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Not at all. Jeez. Was mainly responding to your saying you have family to watch your cats right now. I did, too, but had to come up with other options eventually. That is all. Everything does not have to be an argument or against you, Mackenzie.

Not everything is an argument, nor was I making it one. Just because I didn't agree with your response to me isn't me making an argument Pea-n-Me. A response back to you does not equal an argument. I don't think you are trying to argue with me when you respond to me, I think you are expressing how you feel even if I don't agree with it. You quoted me not the other way around, I think you need to rethink the whole argument distractor unless you would rather I ignore your posts? Because I'm not going to always be 100% on board with what you say.

I did not at all get that you were mainly responding to me having my family watch my cat right now but then coming up with other options as I had already mentioned the various other options out there. Much more included in your comment that was way off that topic. Like I said I appreciate you mean well but telling someone

sometimes we have to use our heads more than our hearts when making these types of decisions.

is insulting. I truly reserve calling something insulting for rare instances. Many things don't rise to that level to me but that did. If you were talking to the thread itself I'd have no reason to think it was insulting per se. As is you quoted me directly even when I was careful to say different temperaments and discussing boarding options should they need to come up.

In addition saying

For many pets, nothing short of being at home with their people will do.

But it’s not always possible, or practical, for us to always be home with them.

as if that's not already known to me. Especially as I said what our particular cat is but also said "there are many cats that are mellow easy going that can handle boarding with ease."

I don’t think allowing us a vacation once or twice a year is too much to ask of them for a nice life otherwise.

And I have no idea where this thought came from because I don't really consider owning a pet in that mindset at all. While you did say that wasn't what I was implying as you were speaking generally but it's not a mindset towards having pets that I share.

Like I said I know you meant well but we also have conversed before on pet threads. I think we are both well enough versed on different components to pet ownership although learning off each other is always welcomed I think the basics are already known Catch ya on another thread. And FWIW no, not an argument

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Not everything is an argument, nor was I making it one. Just because I didn't agree with your response to me isn't me making an argument Pea-n-Me. A response back to you does not equal an argument. I don't think you are trying to argue with me when you respond to me, I think you are expressing how you feel even if I don't agree with it. You quoted me not the other way around, I think you need to rethink the whole argument distractor unless you would rather I ignore your posts? Because I'm not going to always be 100% on board with what you say.

I did not at all get that you were mainly responding to me having my family watch my cat right now but then coming up with other options as I had already mentioned the various other options out there. Much more included in your comment that was way off that topic. Like I said I appreciate you mean well but telling someone


is insulting. I truly reserve calling something insulting for rare instances. Many things don't rise to that level to me but that did. If you were talking to the thread itself I'd have no reason to think it was insulting per se. As is you quoted me directly even when I was careful to say different temperaments and discussing boarding options should they need to come up.

In addition saying



as if that's not already known to me. Especially as I said what our particular cat is but also said "there are many cats that are mellow easy going that can handle boarding with ease."




And I have no idea where this thought came from because I don't really consider owning a pet in that mindset at all. While you did say that wasn't what I was implying as you were speaking generally but it's not a mindset towards having pets that I share.

Like I said I know you meant well but we also have conversed before on pet threads. I think we are both well enough versed on different components to pet ownership although learning off each other is always welcomed I think the basics are already known Catch ya on another thread. And FWIW no, not an argument

Not even reading this. Too much. I don’t care, really.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I guess though if you had a camera, that could help, as you could check remotely and call someone if needed.

My mother-in-law got a tracking camera system although there are like 3 I think cameras in the house they are positioned in the spots where the pets are usually at. A limitation is under the bed (2 of the cats hang out there most of the time) unless you put a camera there (which is an option) but the cameras can move around rotationally and controlled via an app. It has audio hooked up as well. IDK how much she uses it though but these days they do have that. There are some cute videos out there on YouTube and such of owners talking to their cats during the day via these types of cameras.

When we got our cat 9 years ago the first week we had him we kept him in a room to get him acclimated to the house/noise/us and my husband used a laptop computer perched up high enough and could remote in watch him.