Kitten Boarding for the First Time? Here’s How to Make It a Smooth Experience
If you’re a kitten owner, you’ll know that they are certainly creatures of habit. That means their kitten boarding experience can be scary at first since they love being in the comfort of their own homes. However, there are tons of things you can do to make your cat’s stay feel like a home away from home!
Step 1: Do Your Research
The first step to an amazing kitten boarding experience is doing your research to find the best option for your kitten’s overnight stay. Firstly, if you know about the trip ahead of time, it is important to make a reservation as soon as possible to make sure spots don’t fill up at your preferred boarding center.
Secondly, when booking your kitten’s stay, make sure to ask about vaccination policies. It is standard that the boarding center will require proof of vaccination, so you’ll want to be prepared with any documentation prior to their stay. Additionally, prepare an emergency plan for the rare chance that something happens to your kitten during boarding.
Lastly, make sure to ask questions, read online reviews, and ask around. Make a list of questions and concerns prior to booking to get all the answers and information you can before finalizing the reservation.
Step 2: Prepare for Their Kitten Boarding Vacation
After finding the purr-fect place to board your kitten, you’ll want to start planning for how to make them the most comfortable during their stay. Taking your kitten outside of your home can be nerve-racking for your feline, since they may not regularly be exposed to outside cats, people, smells, and different environments.
Kittens live a cozy life of habit that includes their favorite windows to lay in front of, favorite places to nap, scheduled feedings, and preferred toys, blankets, and beds. That’s why preparing is so important to make everything for both you and your cat.
Below are four crucial tips to making the kitten boarding experience the best it can be.
Make a Pet-Packing List
Before your visit, make sure to create a pet-packing list as a reminder so that you take along all the items needed to put your furry feline at ease. This list should include:
- Comfort blankets, toys, and beds – it’s a good idea not to wash them so your cat will recognize the familiar scent of being at home
- Medications that your kitten requires along with a detailed list of when to administer them and how many are required
- Any special food your kitten needs
Request a Trial Visit
Requesting a trial visit is especially important if you’re boarding for the first time. Your cat will be put in an environment that is completely new to them, so take the extra time to help familiarize them with the workers, cage set-up, smells, and sounds they may experience.
Communicate with the Boarder
Communication is key to a fantastic kitten boarding experience. All kittens have different needs and comforts, so you’ll want to provide the boarding facility with all the information they’ll need to do their job and keep your kitten happy.
For example, many kittens experience anxiety while being away from home, so provide the staff with some tips and techniques that they can use to help calm down your kitty. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and provide information, as nobody knows your kitten better than you do.
Call to Check In
When you have extra time, give the boarding facility a call while your kitten is boarding to check in and see how he or she is doing. Your kitten doesn’t know that you’re checking up, but it is definitely a great way to lessen the stress for yourself. This also gives you the opportunity to provide reminders to the facility for any special requests.
Kittens can also recognize the voices of the ones they love most, so if you talk loud enough, they might even be able to hear you calling!
Step 3: Ask Follow-Up Questions
Going to pick up your pet from the boarding facility is the best feeling. It’s possible, however, that your kitten might be experiencing some stress and loneliness in your absence, so sending someone familiar to pick them up is extremely important.
Often, owners are so excited to pick up their kittens that they simply walk in, get their cat, and then walk out. While it is easy to let the excitement take over, you’ll want to make sure to ask follow-up questions regarding your kitten’s boarding experience, so you know how your pet did and what to prepare for next time.
What Questions Should You Ask?
- Were there any issues regarding my cat’s medical care?
- Is there anything I should know/change for the next visit?
- Were there any odd behaviors you saw in my kitten?
Looking for a 5-Star Kitten Boarding Facility You and Your Pet Will Love? Choose Pet Palace!
If you’re on the hunt for a luxury stay for your kitten, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Pet Palace Resort, we strive for high-quality service that provides comfort and happiness to your kitten.
Our adult cat and kitten boarding includes a stay in either one of our cat townhomes or royal cat suites, along with plenty of play, personal care, and interaction with qualified staff members. Plus, we offer cat and kitten boarding at all eleven locations so you can find a Pet Palace near you to book the purr-fect stay for your kitten!
To learn more about Pet Palace and the services we provide, contact our team today!
Categories: All Posts, Cats, Pet Boarding, Tips for Your Pets