Cat boarding: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cat boarding is

Cat boarding houses your cat overnight at a cattery or a host home, with a quiet room, meals, litter care and supervision. Cats often do best in a calm, separate space, and a cattery is designed to give them that.

Signs you need it

  • You are travelling and need a calm, safe place for your cat to stay
  • Your cat is shy or anxious and does better in its own quiet room
  • You need a boarding plan that includes medication, special feeding or regular check-ins
  • You have a cat that needs a stable routine while you are away for several nights
  • You want a place that keeps cats separated from other pets and from each other when needed

What the pro does

  • Takes your cat's details, vaccination records, medication and feeding routine
  • Checks your cat for health or behavior concerns at drop-off
  • Places your cat in a separate room, a cage or a suite, depending on the plan
  • Feeds, waters and scoops the litter on the agreed schedule
  • Watches for hiding, low appetite or other signs of stress or illness
  • Sends updates and returns your cat at the agreed time with a report

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of nights and the number of cats
  • The type of room, such as a suite, a cage or a host home
  • Whether medication, special feeding or extra playtime is included
  • Whether grooming, brushing or extra updates are included
  • Whether the cat needs a separate room for health or behavior reasons
  • How long the cat stays and whether the stay is extended

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of nights, the drop-off and the pick-up times
  • The housing type and the feeding, litter and play plan
  • Whether medication, extra care and updates are included
  • Whether vaccination records are required before drop-off
  • The cancellation terms and any late pick-up fees

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What vaccinations do you require, and do you check them before drop-off?
  • Will my cat have its own room, and how is the room cleaned?
  • How do you keep cats that do not get along apart?
  • What is your plan if my cat gets sick during the stay?
  • Do you give medication, and how do you record each dose?
  • Can I see the room where my cat will stay?
  • How often is the litter box cleaned, and what products do you use?

Red flags

  • Does not ask for vaccination records or health history
  • Houses cats in rooms that smell strongly or look crowded and dirty
  • Will not let you see the room before you book
  • Mixes unfamiliar cats together with no separation
  • Has no emergency plan or no vet they will call

What you can do yourself

You can prepare by gathering the vaccination records, the food and medication in labeled containers, and a familiar blanket or toy for your cat. Practice short separations at home so your cat is used to a carrier. Choose a cattery or host home when your cat needs a quiet, separate room and regular checks, and visit before you book.

Licenses and permits

Some cities and counties license catteries or require a boarding permit, so check with your local city, county or animal control office before you book. No state license is usually required for a home-based host, but check local rules.

Cat boarding questions

What vaccinations does my cat need?

Most catteries require proof of certain vaccinations before the stay. Ask the facility for their list, and check with your veterinarian about the timing for your cat.

Will my cat be lonely?

Many cats do well in a quiet room with a routine and regular visits. Ask the facility how often staff check on each cat, and whether they give play or company.

What should I bring for my cat?

Bring the food in labeled containers, the medication with written instructions, your vet's number, and a familiar blanket or toy. Tell the facility about any fears or hiding spots.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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