Companion Animals

Companion Cat Boarding and Cattery Welfare

What makes a high welfare cattery experience, and how to assess boarding facilities from a cat welfare perspective.

Key Facts

Cats often find boarding stressful due to territorial instincts and unfamiliar environments
High welfare catteries provide individual rooms with hiding places and elevated perches
Stress-reducing pheromone diffusers significantly improve cat welfare in boarding settings
Veterinary assessment should be available at all boarding catteries
In-home pet sitting causes less territorial disruption than cattery boarding for many cats

Welfare Considerations

Boarding is a necessary reality for many cat owners but involves varying degrees of welfare compromise. Choosing facilities carefully and preparing cats for boarding through habituation reduces the stress experienced during owner absence.

What You Can Do

Inspect cattery facilities in person before booking, looking for welfare-positive features
Bring familiar bedding with your cat's scent to boarding facilities
Consider in-home pet sitting as a lower-stress alternative to cattery boarding