Finding Appropriate Boarding or Pet Sitter for Your Cat

I admit it. Back in the day, I left my cats home alone while I traveled. A pile of food, a giant water bowl, an extra litter box and I thought they’d be fine.

I was so lucky that nothing bad happened. Later in life, I learned not only how dangerous that was, but how stressful and unfair it was to my cats.

It may seem like cats need less hands-on care than dogs. For example, they don’t need daily walks to do their business and often don’t seem as emotionally impacted when we’re gone. But that’s just not the case.

Our cats need time, attention, and supervision. And you need a vacation. How can you take care of both? We’ve got ideas.

Cat Care While You’re Away

Dangerous issues, like urinary obstruction and others we list below, can happen even with cats who were only left alone for a "quick weekend escape."

That’s why we, and most veterinary professionals, recommend having someone keep an eye on your cat(s) when you head out of town — whether you're leaving for a week, a weekend, or even a single night.

This means finding a responsible neighbor, relative, friend, or professional pet sitter to stop by your home once or twice a day or stay in your home while you're gone. They’ll need to provide food and water, play sessions, mental enrichment, scoop the litter box, and give lots of love. If your cat has any special needs, like daily medication or regular brushing, they’ll need to cover those jobs as well.

Another option is boarding your cat in a facility. Ideally, they would offer the same caregiving elements.

There are professional pet sitters who take your cats into their homes. This comes with a different level of pre-screening and due diligence on your part, which we’ll discuss below.

The option you choose will depend on multiple different factors, including: how long you'll be away, your cat's personality (nervous, fearful, confident, friendly, etc.), their ability to deal with change, their comfort with strangers, whether they have any existing medical conditions or daily medication needs, and, of course, whether you can find a responsible person or facility.

If You Have More Than One Cat

If you have cats who are bonded or don’t get along well, you’ll need to consider whether they need to be boarded together or separately, and how being in a new environment might impact their relationship. Some cats may be comforted by each other’s company. Or the stress of a new and scary environment could cause fighting.

We’ve provided some important information, warnings, and advice to keep in mind, as well as some questions to ask when considering your cat's care (and your peace of mind) while you're away.

There's also a treatment authorization form you can download that will help you direct any medical care your cat might need while you're out of town.

Boarding vs. Cat Sitters — Things to Consider

Which option is best for you and your cat? It depends on your preferences, your cat’s personality and needs, and your budget.

A friend might do the job for the promise that you’ll reciprocate with their cat the next time they travel.

A professional pet sitter rate can start around $25 per visit (not per day), while a professional live-in pet sitter (a.k.a. home boarding or house sitter) or boarding facility could easily run you $40 or more per day.

Here are a few things I advise my clients to consider when they’re weighing their options:

Cats Who Might Be Better Suited to a Boarding Facility

These points are also relevant for pet sitters who take your cat into their home.

Cats who might do well in someone else's home or boarding facility:

• Get along well with other people

• Are not super reactive to stranger cats

• Are well-socialized, unafraid of meeting new people or having new experiences

• Don't like being alone at home

• Need lots of play and enrichment or supervision

• Are not easily stressed by car rides and different environments (sights, sounds, smells, etc.)

• Have medical and medication needs that require close monitoring or complicated care (not all boarding facilities offer this level of care)

• Have up-to-date on vaccines and have a healthy immune system
  
  

Cats Who Might Be Better Staying Home with a Pet Sitter Visiting Daily or House Sitter

• Are generally nervous or fearful, especially with new people or environments (sights, smells, sounds, etc.)

• Have no issues with aggression (especially if using a friend or family member, i.e., non-professional)

• Have medical or behavioral conditions that could be worsened by the stress of boarding (e.g., diabetes, vomiting, urinary blockage)

• Are not up-to-date on vaccines (e.g., a young kitten or a cat who’s unable to get vaccines due to a medical condition)

• Has a compromised immune system (either hereditary or brought on by disorders like cancer, viral infections, or other conditions)

You also may have multiple pets who need care or other things around the home (like watering plants) that your pet/house sitter could manage.

Do You Need Special Services?

Boarding facilities and professional pet sitters may vary in the services offered. Think about your needs.

• Veterinary boarding facilities or veterinary staff who also offer in-home pet sitting may be better suited for cats with medical needs.

• Some boarding facilities are staffed 24/7, which could be desirable for cats with certain medical conditions or those who are prone to getting into trouble (going off their food, developing a urinary obstruction, etc.).

• Boarding facilities may offer large, co-op cat spaces, small kennel-style enclosures, or private rooms where your cats can do their own thing. Your cat’s comfort, personality, and the length of their stay can help you determine which option you need.

Disclose Challenging Issues About Your Cat

If your cat has issues with aggression or needs special medical care, like medication, it’s important to be crystal clear with your pet sitter. A friend or family member may not want to let you down. But when they find themselves in a situation with a fearful and aggressive cat who’s fighting to take their medication, they may not feel safe or be able to continue care.

The same goes for a professional pet sitter or boarder. They need all the details so that they can find the right person to work with your cat. Some are well-prepared to handle fear, aggression, medical support, etc. Others may not have the training or may have organizational rules against providing certain types of care.

Does Accreditation or Membership Matter?

It’s always nice if your pet sitter or boarder lists membership with organizations such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International, or Fear Free Pets.

Just keep in mind that these are educational and certification programs. Membership and certification don’t necessarily mean that the professional sticks to these standards or is regulated or supervised on an ongoing basis. So, ask lots of questions about their qualifications and philosophies.

A certified feline training and behavior professional who also offers pet sitting is another great option, especially if your cat has any behavior issues, like fear or aggression.  

Pre-Screening Potential Pet Sitters and Boarding Facilities

Questions to Ask a Boarding Facility

• Will they allow you to inspect the cat housing areas and is the facility clean? (Does it smell good?)

• Are the cats’ living spaces large enough with bedding, perches, multiple litter boxes, toys, and adequate food and water?

• What kind of interactions will the cat have with people? Do they get cuddle time? Play sessions?

• Are they insured and/or bonded?

• How do they handle logistics and payments for emergency veterinary services, if they arise?

• Is there always at least one staff member on-site? What about overnight?

• What training do staff receive (medical, behavioral, etc.)?

• What additional services do they provide? (e.g., grooming, bathing, etc.)

• Do they have an in-house veterinarian, an on-call veterinarian, or a relationship with a local veterinarian?

  • Would they work with your veterinarian?

• How are the cats housed — in cages, "condos," private rooms, etc.?

• Are there communal spaces, where multiple cats interact, and how are new cats introduced and managed if they're fearful or aggressive? 

• Is the space temperature-controlled (heating and AC)?

• What type of food will your cat be fed, how much, and how often? Can you use your cat's own food? Can they stick to your existing feeding schedule?

• How do they handle regular medications your cat might need?

• Do they have an emergency evacuation plan that you can review? Do they have fire sprinklers in the kennel area?

• What is their vaccination policy for boarded cats?

• Do they board dogs too? Do the loud sounds of the dog spaces reach the cat spaces?
  
  

• Will you receive regular photos, videos, live video streams, or other ways to check on your cat?

• What questions are they asking about you and your cat?

  • A good boarding facility should be as careful in screening you and your cat as you are of them, asking about your cat’s medical history, vaccinations, personality, play and enrichment needs, and more, in order to best place them within their facility.
    
    
    

Questions to Ask a Professional Pet Sitter

• What training has the sitter completed?

• Do they know animal CPR?

• Can they provide proof of commercial liability insurance?

• Do they have a plan in place to bring your cat to a veterinarian if there is an accident or other emergency? 

• What services do they provide and what services will they not provide (brushing, play sessions, frequent checking and scooping litter boxes, etc.)?

• If your cat needs regular medications, are they willing to and capable of giving them correctly and on the required schedule?

• How will they handle payment for emergency veterinary services, should the need arise?

• Will they send regular photos, video, or other updates to show that your cat is OK?

• Can they provide references from other clients?

• Do they have a fee and services contract?

• Do they have backup if they have an emergency and can’t continue caring for your cat?
  
  

• What questions are they asking about you and your cat?

  • A good cat sitter should be as careful in screening you and your cat as you are of them. 
    
    

Arrange a Visit and Put It in Writing

Before you settle on a boarding facility or sitter, visit the facility or meet with the sitter. It should be a red flag if a pet sitter doesn’t ask to meet with your cat before taking them on as a client. Likewise, if a cat boarding facility won’t allow or is reluctant to let you inspect the boarding area, this should be a warning sign. However, some facilities' insurance policies don't allow visitors into the boarding area for safety reasons, especially at a veterinary clinic. In these cases, you could request they take a video, while you're on premises, of the boarding area to share with you.

If they pass that “sniff test,” and answer your questions satisfactorily, then it looks like you’ve found your cat’s vacation accommodation.

It's also good to put things in writing so there’s a hardcopy set of instructions about caring for your cat and agreement as to what the sitter or facility is obligated to do for your cat. Include such information as your cat’s feeding, medication, play, and other needs — especially firm rules about whether your cat is allowed outside, which we wouldn't recommend in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people!

Important to Know Before Confirming the Stay

If you’re considering a pet sitter who brings your cat into their home, you’ll want to ask questions relevant to both boarding (listed above) and a regular pet sitter.

It’s also important to know:

• If other pets live or will be cared for in the home while yours is there?

• If pets are allowed in the home (specifically for rentals)

• How many pets they care for at one time?

• Will your cat be kept safely separated from all other animals? (It’s not worth the time, effort, stress, and potential danger of introducing your cat to stranger pets in this scenario without your supervision and guidance.)

• What cleaning products and safety precautions do they use (e.g., keeping your cat from escaping, keeping separate physically and visually from other animals, avoiding possible contamination from current or past pets with illness or parasites, securing dangerous products, etc.)

• What are their vaccination and parasite preventative requirements? 

In all honesty, I could go on with this list. There are so many elements to consider when letting your cat go to a personal residence. Please be careful. Ask every question you can think of. Get recent references. And do a thorough walk-through of the space!

Consider Adding an Airtag to Your Cat's Collar

How Will Your Cat Be Medically Cared for in Your Absence?

Speaking of putting things in writing be sure to include a clear plan for providing your cat medical treatment, should something happen while you’re away. By providing a signed treatment authorization form, you can spell out how a surrogate should care for your cat in an emergency — such as how much money they can spend — so precious time isn't wasted if they can't reach you.

Your veterinarian will use this form as their authorization to provide care if you can’t be reached, but be sure to provide a copy of the treatment authorization form to your vet before you travel. Without it, they may not be able to treat your cat or may not do so without your pet sitter/boarder paying the bill right away or hearing from you before treatment starts.

Fill out the form below to download the treatment authorization & pet medical history forms and get started with your plan today.

Dangers of Leaving Your Cat Home Alone While You Travel

Lastly, not to get all “doom and gloom” on you. But it’s important to understand why we feel strongly about using cat sitters or boarding facilities when you travel. There’s a lot that can go wrong.

Medical

Many years ago, I came home from a weekend away to find my cat’s ear puffed up like a tortilla when it hits hot oil (an aural hematoma). He broke a blood vessel. His ear filled with blood, separating the two layers of skin to form a blood-filled skin sack. I shudder to think how painful that was and what kind of damage could have been done if he continued to scratch and paw at it while I was away.

Here are some other medical issues that can get serious fast:

• Urethral obstruction (urinary blockage) is a big one that can actually be fatal in a matter of hours.

• Constipation can cause pain, house soiling, and stop your cat from eating.

• Dehydration is already a concern for cats due to their low thirst drive. If they’re home alone, you’ll have to feed dry food only, which doesn’t provide moisture. Your cat could knock over their water bowl or drop a toy in it that turns it to muck. Or they could simply run out of water too soon.

• Traumatic injuries can happen anytime, even inside your home. One of my cats managed to break a leg to the point of needing surgery inside an 800 sq. ft. apartment. One of my client’s cats was partially paralyzed when he jumped off the TV and it fell on him. A bored cat may start opening cabinet doors and drawers where unsafe items are kept. They can find a way.

• Poisoning speaks for itself. Even seemingly harmless foods, like finding a cracker between the couch cushions seasoned with salt, onion, and garlic can be damaging to your cat’s health.

• Getting trapped in closets or other areas can lead to things like dehydration or malnutrition if they can’t get to food and water, injury if they panic and pull closet items down on themselves, dangerous temperatures if they get into a basement or attic that isn’t temp controlled.

• Choking or intestinal obstruction can occur when a cat chews or eats something they normally may not, like an area rug or towel — perhaps from boredom or anxiety. If no one knows the cat ate a "foreign body," then they are at risk of dying from a blockage. 
  
  

Emotional

Cats need care and companionship. They also feel more secure when they can stick to a routine. It can be stressful when they’re left alone, their schedule changes, and they don’t have their usual outlets like interactive play and mental stimulation. These things meet their instinctual needs and keep stress low and quality of life high.

A stressed or bored cat is more likely to get into trouble. After all, if we’re not meeting their needs, they’ll do it themselves. That means acting outside their normal behavior, like chewing on cords and fabrics, getting into doors and drawers, climbing on things, etc.

Home damage

It’s not just about caring for your cat. Your home can be at risk of damage when your cat is lonely, nervous, or bored. They may scratch carpet or furniture as a way of self-soothing.

It’s very common for cats to pee on things heavy with our scent, like beds and couches, when we’re gone. This is also a stress behavior that helps cats self-soothe by mixing their scent with ours.

If I left my cat home alone for an extended period of time, I have no doubt he would chew on anything that fit in his mouth, including the toilet water line, cords, and furniture corners (he’s a chewer and doesn’t do well with boredom).