Vacation in the cat pension

As the vacation season approaches, many cat owners are faced with the question: should I leave my furry friend at home or can I entrust him to a cat boarding facility? We explain how you can recognize a good cat boarding facility and what preparations you should make for the perfect stay.

The decision: What do I do with my cat on vacation?

Basically, there is no "right or wrong" when deciding whether or not cats should go on vacation with you. The decisive factors are your pet's character and state of health.

The following options are conceivable for your cat during your vacation:

• The cat stays at home alone
  

  You have to organize feeding and care privately.

• You hire a professional house or pet sitter
  

  This costs money, but you can rely on the professionals 100%.

• Your velvet paw stays with friends or family
  

  They usually receive loving care here - but not everyone has animal lovers in their circle of relatives and friends.

• You take your cat to a boarding kennel
  

  There are costs involved. But how do you know if the accommodation is worth it?

The choice: How do I recognize a good cat boarding facility?

The most important thing is to take your time when looking for the right boarding kennel. If you have not yet had any experience with a boarding kennel for your cat, the following questions will help:

1. How will my cat be accommodated?
   

   The boarding kennel will either look after your cat individually or in groups. Is the option offered suitable for your pet?

2. Does the boarding kennel meet the standards I can expect?
   

   The best way to find out is to visit in person. Then you can see with your own eyes what standards the boarding kennel works to:

   • Old standards were tiled individual boxes with a barred door, similar to a veterinary clinic, which often meant stress for the animals.

   • Thenew standards are spacious indoor and outdoor enclosures with individual or group housing.

3. Will the boarding facility suit my cat's habits?
   

   Every animal has different preferences. For example, if your cat likes to climb or wants to retreat to a quiet place, perhaps often lies in the sun or is used to a high lookout, then it would be easier for your four-legged friend to make the transition to a cattery if it also had these options. This will save your tiger additional stress.

4. Do the housed animals get the attention they need?
   

   You can also check this during a visit. Do the caretakers play with the animals? What about stroking or brushing? How long are the pets left alone?

5. Can the boarding kennel cater to individual wishes?
   

   What initially seems like a luxury question should be standard for cats. Because cats are individualists and therefore need individual care. Find out whether you can bring your cat's special food with you, for example, or whether intensive grooming or the necessary rules for interacting with other animals or people are feasible. If the boarding kennel asks for this information via a questionnaire, you can be sure that your wishes will be taken into account.

6. What protection is there against diseases and parasites?
   

   A boarding kennel is a temporary home for many animals. Hygiene is therefore very important. Do you agree with the hygiene measures? What impression do the cat accommodation make on you, are they clean and well-maintained? The animals often have to be neutered, wormed and vaccinated in order to keep the facility clean and avoid stress between them.

7. How does the boarding kennel prevent mix-ups?
   

   The measures taken naturally depend on the size of the boarding kennel and the number of employees. You can best assess for yourself whether these are appropriate. It would be terrible if your four-legged friend got mixed up.

8. What is done in an emergency?
   

   A good criterion to check whether you have chosen the right boarding kennel is to put yourself in the worst-case scenario: Which vet does the boarding kennel work with in an emergency? If your pet already has any known health problems, how are they dealt with and are they prepared to go to your vet?

9. Is a trial day possible?
   

   You will get the best insight if the boarding kennel offers a trial stay. This allows you to check how the cat gets on at the boarding kennel. You should decide individually whether such a test is a good option for you and your cat.

10. How trustworthy is the boarding kennel?
    

    In addition to the individual impression that the staff make on you, you should ask about the boarding kennel's operating license.

11. Is the price-performance ratio right?
    

    Good work and safety for your pet have their price, does this match what is on offer? If the offer is very high or very low, you should ask again how the price was arrived at.

Preparation: How do I get my cat used to the boarding kennel?

How much time your cat needs to get used to the boarding facility depends very much on its character and experience. If there is no opportunity for a trial day, a visit may also make sense. The following tips can help your cat settle in:

• Bring familiar objects with you
  

  Everything that your velvet paw knows will help it to feel at home.

• Continue to feed the usual food
  

  Cats often refuse to eat when they are stressed or when there are changes. A change of food would further provoke this.

• Think about additional calming
  

  It may make sense to give your cat an individual Bach flower mixture or certain herbs to help with the transition.

Are you still unsure whether your cat is really safe in the boarding kennel? Then you should consult a therapist who specializes in cat behaviour. They can help you decide whether a stay at a boarding kennel is right for your pet.