Companion Animals

Companion Cat Boarding Welfare

Boarding can be acutely stressful for cats, requiring careful facility selection and preparation to minimise welfare costs.

Key Facts

Cats are highly territorial and experience significant stress when removed from their home
Boarding facilities with individual chalets reduce stress from other cats' sight, sound, and smell
Pheromone diffusers including Feliway reduce anxiety markers in boarded cats
Familiar bedding and toys provide olfactory comfort in unfamiliar environments
Cat-only facilities are less stressful than combined dog and cat boarding

Welfare Considerations

Boarding stress in cats is real and measurable through behaviour, cortisol, and reduced food intake. Many cats stop eating in the first days of boarding. Selecting a high-quality facility with individual chalets, experienced staff, and enrichment provision minimises but cannot eliminate this stress. Home-based pet-sitting is an alternative that avoids territorial disruption entirely.

What You Can Do

Choose cat-only boarding facilities with individual chalets and enrichment provision
Send familiar bedding and toys with your cat to provide olfactory comfort
Consider home-based pet-sitting as a less stressful alternative to cattery boarding