How To Prepare Your Cat For A Cattery

If you’re heading on Holiday and looking to have your cat stay at a cattery you’ll want to know how to prepare them for it – since many cats find staying in a cattery quite stressful. There are a few ways you can do this, from getting them used to their cat carrier to bringing their bed and favourite toys with them. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your cat for a cattery. 

Why do cats find staying in a cattery stressful?

Cats are generally very territorial animals, which means they usually prefer to stay in their homes. Unfamiliar places, people and animals can be overwhelming and cause them great anxiety. Sometimes, even the simple step of putting them in their carrier and driving them there can fill them with anxiety. 

The decision to put a cat in a cattery can be quite difficult for many pet owners. Even so, you may be unable to avoid doing so, especially if you will be away for a long period of time. If you need to put your cat in a cattery, there are ways you can make this easier for your pet. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your cat for a cattery.

Preparing your cat for a cattery 

If you want to know that your cat is receiving all the care they need 24/7, it’s best to put them in a cattery whilst you’re away. Although it can be tempting to leave them at home with someone popping in on them every so often, it’s not ideal. If your cat falls ill and no one is there to notice, the consequences could be fatal. Putting them in a cattery run by experienced staff can really put your mind at rest.

Leave their carrier out for a few days

Cat carriers can instil a sense of dread in many cats, often conjuring up memories of trips to the vet. With this in mind, you should begin getting them used to their carrier before driving them to the cattery. Rather than pulling it out of the cupboard and trying to encourage them into it right away, you could try leaving it in their favourite room for a while. This will make them more familiar with the carrier and show them that it’s nothing scary about it. Hopefully, this will make them less stressed when you do put them inside of it. 

Vaccinate your cat

When preparing your cat for a cattery, you’ll need to make sure that they have had their vaccinations. Cats need certain vaccinations to stay in a cattery, including those that protect against Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) and Feline Herpes Virus (FHV) – two common viruses that can spread amongst cats in crowded environments like catteries. Diseases like these can spread quickly, which means that your cat might become very sick if they haven’t been vaccinated. Most catteries will request to see your cat’s vaccination card before they allow them to stay.

Bring their bed and favourite toys 

Most catteries will be happy for you to bring your cat’s bed and their favourite toys with them. Having familiar items like these with them can help them to feel much more relaxed and less anxious during their stay. They’ll feel more secure and may settle into their surroundings faster. Many people choose to leave clothing such as a t-shirt with their scent on it to provide comfort to their cat during their stay. 

Try using an artificial pheromone spray

Artificial pheromone sprays have become increasingly popular in recent years. These sprays replicate a cat’s pheromones, which are produced by their facial glands and help them to feel calmer and more secure. You can use artificial pheromone sprays on their bed and bedding as well as in their cat carrier. Plug-in pheromone diffusers are available too and are often used by catteries to help particularly anxious cats feel more relaxed. They tend to place them near the cat’s chalet in order to settle them if they’re displaying signs of anxiety.

Book a trial stay at a cattery

Booking a trial stay in a cattery can sometimes be a good idea. If your cat hasn’t stayed in a cattery before, a trial can be a good way for them to get used to the environment and allow them to realise that you are coming back. Cats can take some time to adapt to changes in their surroundings and routine, so it’s best to keep a trial stay short, ideally for a maximum of four days. Most catteries will be more than happy to provide your cat with a trial visit. This won’t just allow your cat to get used to the facility, staff, sounds and smells before they stay for a longer period but it will also reassure you that your pet is being cared for properly whilst you are away. 

Choose the right cattery

If you want your cat to enjoy a stress-free boarding experience, it’s vital that you choose a reputable cattery like Jaycliffe. Since not all catteries will offer the same standard of care to your cat, it’s important to consider your options carefully when choosing one for your pet. When you visit a cattery, make sure you talk to the staff.

Ask them questions about the facilities and how the cattery is run. If you know your cat will feel stress during their stay, speak to them about what they can do to manage their anxiety. The best catteries in Sheffield will have experience in working with anxious cats and will take steps to help them to relax during their stay.