How to Prepare Your Cat for Boarding (and Reduce Stress)

If you are about to leave your cat at a hotel for the first time, the question on your mind is probably this: "Will she be scared in a strange place, will she stop eating?" The worry is fair. Cats are territorial animals and feel a change of surroundings far more deeply than dogs do. The good news is that most of that stress can be reduced with small preparations made in advance. In this guide we walk you through what you can do, from the weeks before a stay at a cat hotel to the day you bring your cat home.

Signs of Stress in Cats: What to Watch For

Cats rarely announce their discomfort loudly; stress usually shows up as quiet changes in behavior. Since you are the one who knows your cat, knowing what "normal" looks like for her is the first step. Watch for these signs before and after a hotel stay:

• Hiding: retreating under the bed or behind a cupboard and staying there for long stretches.
• Changes in appetite: losing interest in food or eating far less than usual.
• Over-grooming: licking one area so often that the fur starts to thin.
• Litter box changes: going outside the box or not using it at all.
• Body language: ears flattened back, dilated pupils, tail wrapped tightly around the body.

Mild, short-lived versions of these signs are a normal reaction to a new environment. Loss of appetite or litter box problems lasting more than a few days should be taken seriously; in that case, consult your veterinarian.

Getting Your Cat Used to the Carrier

For many cats, the hardest moment of the trip is when the carrier comes out of the cupboard, because to them it only ever means a visit to the vet. To change that association, start at least two weeks before the stay:

• Take the carrier out and leave it, door open, in a corner of the house your cat likes.
• Put a blanket or T-shirt that carries your scent inside.
• Now and then, leave a treat inside the carrier and let your cat go in and out on her own.
• Once she walks in comfortably, close the door for a few seconds and open it again, then slowly extend the time.
• As a final step, lift the carrier and carry it around the house for a short while; if possible, take a short car ride.

Keep the carrier ready the day before, so you don't have to chase your cat into it on travel day. In the car, secure the carrier with a seat belt and cover it lightly with a cloth; less visual stimulation calms most cats.

What to Bring to the Cat Hotel

Keep the packing list short; the goal is for your cat to take a few familiar scents from home with her. At PatiLee, hypoallergenic litter is provided by the hotel, so there is no need to bring litter. Bring the following:

• The food she is used to: we recommend bringing your cat's own food. A sudden change of diet can upset sensitive stomachs, and a familiar taste also helps protect her appetite in a new place.
• A scented item: an unwashed blanket, a pillowcase or a small favorite toy.
• Medications and instructions: if she takes regular medication, write down the dose and times.
• Vaccination record: up-to-date vaccinations and a microchip are required for admission.
• Notes on her habits: how many meals a day she eats, where she likes to sleep, what startles her.

What to Look for in a Good Cat Hotel

However well you prepare, an environment not designed for cats will add to the stress. When choosing, always ask about these four points:

• A room separate from dogs: barking and the smell of dogs are a constant threat signal for a cat. The cat area should be completely separate from the dog areas.
• Vertical space: cats like to watch from up high; climbing walls and shelves are not a luxury but the way they feel safe. A narrow single-level cage does not meet this need.
• Quiet: a section away from heavy foot traffic, noise and doors constantly opening and closing.
• Camera monitoring: a facility monitored by cameras is your assurance that care is carried out consistently.

Also check whether the hotel asks for a vaccination record and microchip at admission. A hotel that does not ask you has not asked the other guests staying in the same section as your cat either. If you are still undecided, our comparison cat hotel or pet sitter can help.

The First 48 Hours: Hiding and Appetite

When cats arrive somewhere new, they hide first, then observe, and explore last. It is not surprising if your cat withdraws to a corner of her suite or eats very little on the first day. The right thing to do in this period is not to force her and to leave her a safe place to hide.

Most cats begin sniffing around, using the climbing area and eating regularly within a day or two. During this time, eating, drinking and litter habits should be tracked every day; if the loss of appetite continues, a veterinarian is contacted and you are informed. The familiar food and scented blanket you bring are exactly what helps in these first two days.

Settling Back In at Home

Coming home is also a small change of surroundings. In the first hours your cat may seem distant and wander around sniffing the house again; this does not mean she has "forgotten" you, she is getting to know her territory again. A few simple steps speed up the adjustment:

• When you get home, open the carrier door and wait for your cat to come out on her own.
• Keep water, food and the litter box ready in their usual places.
• On the first day, avoid crowds of visitors and loud noise.
• If you have more than one cat, the returning cat smells different, so there may be a short period of unfamiliarity; keep her in a separate room for a while and let the scents mix.

Cat Boarding at PatiLee

At our facility in Zekeriyaköy, cats stay in cage-free suites with climbing walls, in a quiet section completely separate from the dog areas. The facility is monitored by cameras, and eating, drinking and litter habits are tracked every day. Boarding is 1,250 TRY per night and VIP boarding 2,500 TRY per night (+ VAT); see our pricing page for all rates. Before booking, we hold a free meet-and-greet and show you our cat section on a live 360° camera tour.

Frequently Asked Questions