Leaving your cat in someone else’s care can feel daunting, but choosing a cattery doesn’t have to be. Finding the right place ensures your feline friend is safe, happy, and well cared for while you’re away. It’s about more than just a clean facility, your cat deserves a secure environment, thoughtful attention, and understanding of their unique needs. By knowing what to look for, you can help make their stay as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Key qualities of a great cattery
Choosing a cattery is about meeting both practical and emotional needs for your cat’s temporary home. By knowing what to look for, you can ensure your cat enjoys a pleasant stay while you’re away.
Clean and hygienic spaces
A good cattery should not only look clean but also smell fresh when you visit. Clean litter trays and sanitised enclosures show they care about hygiene and the wellbeing of the cats in their care. If you can smell stinky litter trays or the place looks messy during your inspection, it likely means they’re not cleaning often enough. This can quickly lead to unhygienic conditions, risking your cat’s health.
It’s important that all cats boarding at the cattery have up-to-date vaccinations, as close quarters can facilitate the spread of disease. Reputable catteries typically require proof of vaccinations upon booking or check-in.
Secure and safe facilities
One of the biggest concerns for cat owners is safety. A quality cattery should provide secure housing that prevents accidental escapes. Look for essential safety features, such as a safety corridor – an additional enclosed space around individual enclosures. This buffer ensures your cat remains secure even if someone opens the door.
Robust barriers or ‘sneeze barriers’ between each cat’s accommodation are also critical. Good catteries ensure there is a physical barrier or enough distance between enclosures to prevent transmission of any airborne diseases from cat to cat such as upper respiratory infections.
Amber stayed in a cattery when she was younger. Unfortunately, the stress of being in an unfamiliar environment weakened her immune system and made her more susceptible to infections. We didn’t know about the importance of ‘sneeze barriers’ at the time, and the cattery we chose didn’t have adequate separation or physical barriers between the enclosures. Germs from other cats spread easily and by the time we picked her up after four days, she was showing signs of cat flu – sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes. This was an important lesson for us in choosing a cattery.
Spacious and comfortable accommodations
Cats need their own space – a retreat where they feel at ease. Great catteries offer individual accommodation with separate sleeping areas and enough room to stretch, climb, or simply laze about. Sharing spaces should only be an option for cats from the same household. Otherwise, cats require their privacy to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety.
The enclosures should be well-ventilated and warm, ensuring a cosy shelter regardless of the weather. It’s ideal if accommodations also have a touch of natural light. If there’s an opportunity for safe outdoor views (like birds or trees through a secure run), even better. The combination of physical comfort and mental stimulation can make all the difference to your cat’s happiness during their stay.
Health and veterinary considerations
When choosing a cattery, you also want to understand the policies and practices they have in place to protect your cat’s wellbeing and your peace of mind.
Vaccination policies
Reputable catteries require up-to-date vaccination records before admitting any cat. Why? Because vaccinations are the first line of defence against highly contagious diseases such as feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, or panleukopenia, all of which are more likely to spread in shared environments. Some facilities may even require booster shots within the past 12 months for extra safety.
Without these precautions, an unvaccinated or insufficiently immunised cat could create a health risk for all boarded cats. If a cattery doesn’t ask for valid vaccination proof, this should raise a red flag. It’s a bit like choosing to dine at a restaurant that doesn’t require their kitchen staff to wash their hands – wouldn’t you think twice?
Access to veterinary care
Even the healthiest cats can experience unexpected issues. That’s why it’s essential to ask questions about how a cattery handles health emergencies.
- Do they have a vet on call or work directly with a nearby clinic?
Knowing there’s quick, reliable access to veterinary care can give you some much-needed reassurance. - What happens in case of an emergency?
Confirm how they’ll reach you if decisions need to be made. - Do they have written consent forms for urgent treatment?
Signing consent in advance ensures no precious time is wasted if your cat requires immediate attention.
Look for signs that the staff are proactive and trained to notice early health indicators like unusual eating habits, lethargy, or other changes.
Special dietary and medical needs
If your cat requires a special diet or is on medication, this is another question to ask before choosing a cattery. Most facilities are well-equipped to cater to individual nutritional and medical needs, but it’s always wise to confirm first.
Cats thrive on routine, and a good cattery will try to maintain your cat’s normal routine to minimise stress. For picky eaters or cats on prescription or raw fed diets, many catteries will allow owner’s to provide their cat’s preferred food. Similarly, any medications – including pills, injections, or topical treatments – should be administered exactly as prescribed. Don’t hesitate to ask:
- Can their staff manage complex medical routines?
This is particularly important if your cat needs insulin injections or timed doses. - Do they charge extra fees for administering medications?
While many facilities offer this as part of their service, always double-check.
Staff interaction and expertise
When choosing a cattery, it’s important to consider the cattery staff who play a significant role in ensuring your cat is secure and comfortable away from home.
Friendly and caring attitude
Cats are sensitive creatures that thrive on trust and familiarity. When leaving them in a cattery, the staff can have a big impact how safe and settled your cat feels. Friendly, approachable staff with a genuine love for animals create an atmosphere of care that even the most reserved cats can sense. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t leave your child with someone cold or indifferent – your cat deserves the same warmth and attention.
Welcoming staff who take the time to understand your cat’s quirks – whether it’s a preference for gentle pats over belly rubs or a love for quiet spaces – can help ease the transition into a new environment. Cats often associate kind human interaction with safety, which means a soft voice or patient touch can go a long way in calming their nerves. If you’re visiting a cattery, pay attention to how the staff engage with the cats, you’ll quickly spot the ones who treat their residents like their own.
Staff experience and training
Experienced cattery staff should be able to spot any health concerns, like changes in appetite or unusual behaviour, and address them promptly. They should also know how to manage complex care routines, such as administering medication or feeding special diets. Training also extends to stress management; cats are known to show their discomfort in subtle, sometimes easily missed ways. Staff who understand this can quickly adapt to soothe your pet and prevent unnecessary distress.
Top-tier catteries invest in ongoing education for their teams, keeping them updated on the latest practices in feline health, behaviour, and care. Whether it’s through hands-on training, certifications, or workshops, skilled staff stay prepared for any situation that might arise. This level of expertise is what sets great catteries apart from the rest.
Other things to consider when choosing a cattery
When choosing a cattery, the small details can make a big difference. Here are some additional things to consider:
Outdoor space and enrichment
Cats thrive when they have the opportunity to explore, observe, and engage with their surroundings. A secure outdoor run or enclosed area can provide valuable mental stimulation while giving your cat the chance to enjoy natural light and fresh air. These spaces are especially ideal for young, active or curious cats who might feel cooped up in an enclosure.
Look for catteries that offer added enrichment opportunities. This could include things like climbing shelves, scratching posts, or interactive toys to keep your cat entertained. Think of it as a mini getaway for your cat – a place where they can stretch, play, and even chat to a passing butterfly. These additions can make their stay much more enjoyable and reduce the stress of being away from home.
Allowing familiar items
Cats are creatures of habit, and being placed in a new environment can be unsettling. A simple way to ease the transition is by bringing familiar items from home, such as their favourite blanket, a well-loved toy, or even a piece of clothing that carries your scent. Many catteries recognise the importance of this and will encourage you to pack a few comfort items with your cat.
These familiar objects provide reassurance in an unfamiliar space. A treasured toy, can distract your cat from the new sights, smells, and sounds. Bedding with a familiar scent can make their sleeping area feel safe and homely.
Combined cattery and kennels
Some facilities house both cats and dogs under one roof, and while this isn’t necessarily a negative, it’s worth considering a few factors before committing. One of the main concerns is noise. Dogs are naturally louder than cats, and constant barking can be a source of stress for your feline friend, especially if they’re not used to dogs. Check to see if the cattery is situated far enough away from the kennel areas or if soundproofing measures are in place to keep noise levels under control. Trust your instincts, if the cattery doesn’t feel like a peaceful retreat, it probably isn’t the ideal fit for a cat.
Final thoughts
When choosing a cattery, your cat deserves a safe environment where they feel comfortable and cared for. By focusing on factors like cleanliness, safety, comfort, and health protocols, you ensure your cat’s temporary home meets their needs. Take the time to visit facilities, ask questions, and trust your instincts – it’s worth the extra effort.
We also recommend reading online reviews and feedback from other cat owners. These can reveal the true level of care provided by a cattery, helping you make a well-informed decision. The best catteries will prioritise your cat’s wellbeing as much as you do. Find a place where they’ll feel safe, enriched, and genuinely cared for. Knowing your cat is happy means you can enjoy complete peace of mind while you’re away.
Great article! We have someone come to our house, but if we WERE going to board our kitties, you’ve given lots of terrific advice. 🙂
Great article! It is surprising how many people don’t take the time to check out boarding houses before using them. It is so important to hold the caregivers of our pets to a high standard. Life is valuable!
Great article with lots of awesome advice. I’ve never boarded my cats before (I’ve always had a friend either stay with them or come and check on them every day), but I have seen some boarding facilities before. I’ve never been impressed with any I’ve seen. The last one I can remember had a bunch of cats all in a small room together with litter boxes so full and dirty, they looked like they hadn’t been scooped or cleaned in many days. I understand that having a lot of cats sharing a litter box will cause the litter boxes to become full very quickly, but I think that a boarding facility should clean them accordingly. Anyway, thanks for this advice – I will follow it for sure if I ever have to board my cats.