Experience with boarding cats?

[Grateful for Hope]

I hate being an over-protective "mother", but, I admit it. I am.

I need to board my kitties this weekend, and I have chosen Pets Supplies Plus as they have a nice cat room (with a place for them to play, and even a cat tree/condo).

I am very anxious about leaving them so long (from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon), and, I was hoping for some words of encouragement or advice from folks here.

Both boys have been feeling very well -- even Spidey is getting a very nice sheen to his coat. And, I guess I don't want them to get sick from stress. They will not give them any meds (I am assuming this means even L-lysine), so they can't get any preventative treatment while there.

I am bringing their food and litter, and will also bring some favorite toys of theirs.

I also plan on staying with them for a while when I bring them in on Thursday evening.

Is there anything else I should do for them??

Thanks in advance!!!!

Edited to add that I would much prefer to have a friend come in and feed them twice a day, but I can't trust Jake to be left alone. He gets into everything, and I would worry far too much. He will be much safer being boarded.

[IndyOp]

1. If you can't babyproof a room to keep Jake safe, then...

take toys and litterbox and their cat beds or blankie. Do they sell "Feliway" or would they be willing to spray some in the room for the boys to help them feel more relaxed? Feliway is available at most PetSmarts - and other pet supply places...

:hug:

[Grateful for Hope]

3. A great idea!

I have Feliway. I will just bring it with them. Thanks so much for the reminder!!

[virgdem]

2. Have you considered a cat sitter?

I have used a cat sitter and have had positive experiences. Cats are very home oriented and do not do as well as dogs when boarded. The only cat boarding experience I have had was for a day when we got new carpeting. Three of my guys were OK, but my Sylvester did not do too well (he's my scaredy cat and hiding guy). Good luck with boarding them at PSP. Also, to calm them, try using Bach's Rescue Remedy. I've heard good things about it and those that have used it have had positive results.

[Grateful for Hope]

4. Another great idea!

Not sure if they will agree to giving them the Rescue Remedy, but I can ask.

Thank you!

[Lisa0825]

5. I would leave my cat at home.

The last cat that owned me (as opposed to my fosters) was very timid around strangers and terrified of other animals. So, I figured she'd do better at home with plenty of food and water, rather than boarding. I have been out of town for 5 days once and 4 days once with my fosters, and the shelter founder said it was OK to leave them with auto-feeders/water, rather than bring them in. But I suppose it depends on the individuals' personalities, as some cats adjust fine to being in strange places with other animals/humans.

[Grateful for Hope]

6. I really wish I could leave them at home

But, when I go out, I put Jake in a bedroom by himself to keep him safe (and so that the boys do not "fight" when I am gone). But, I wouldn't want to separate them for as long as I will be away. I think that they will be glad to have each other when I board them. If I had only one cat, I would definitely leave it home, though.

[Grateful for Hope]

7. UPDATE!!!

I did board the little guys from Friday AM to midday today (Sunday), and, overall, I was very pleased with the care they received.

The room they have for "board and breakfast" cats is approx. 12X15 (my own estimate, but, I am pretty good at estimating size).

At no time did they place them in cages as they prefer to let their boarding kitties be free -- and the only time that this can't happen is when there are muliple boarding clients.

When I picked them up, the staff on duty told me how much they loved Jake because he was so affectionate. They said that Spidey was far more timid and he only warmed up to a few female staff members.

What I observed:

Both cats are thinner, but not alarmingly so. I don't think this is a cause for concern as far a future decisions to leave the cats there when I need to go away as I have heard that many cats have some anorexia when their owners go away, even those who have sitters come to the home. They did eat, as I brought their food in a container that is noticably emptier now. But, they did not eat as much as they usually do. When I got them home, Spidey, in particular, ate ravenously, and now seems to be very content to lay at my feet. Jake was not as hungry, but, he, too, is contentedly laying in the same room I am in.

When I peeked in the window prior to paying for their room and board, I saw Spidey getting ready to pounce on Jake. This was an EXCELLENT sign that they were both essentially happy.

I can't say enough for the care they both received. One of the staff members told me that she would be missing them. Everything in their temporary "home" was very clean, and very, very cat oriented. And, they only charged me $30 dollars for nearly three days of cat-sitting.

I am so glad to get them home, and, I hope I don't have to leave them again anytime soon. But, since I had to this time, I am very grateful that I followed my gut on this pick.

[kestrel91316]

8. Cats much prefer to stay in their own familiar environment..............

but boarding over the weekend should not be a major problem.

Kitties bond to their environment, so petsitters coming in on a daily basis are the best choice. Get childproof latches for cupboards, and cat-proof the house as much as possible, so they can stay home as much as possible. Kittens are worse than adults when it comes to getting into trouble at home.