Companion Animals

Cat Boarding Stress Reduction Protocols

Structured stress reduction protocols in catteries significantly improve welfare for boarded cats, reducing cortisol and illness incidence.

Key Facts

Boarding causes measurable cortisol stress responses in most cats
Feliway Classic diffusers reduce stress indicators in cattery cats
Familiar bedding with owner scent reduces anxiety during the first days of boarding
Individual pens with no visual contact between cats reduce inter-cat stress
Structured routine including consistent feeding times reduces unpredictability-related stress

Welfare Considerations

Cattery boarding stress is real and measurable. Cortisol elevation, reduced appetite, and increased respiratory illness all indicate welfare costs of poorly managed boarding. Well-designed catteries with stress reduction protocols - pheromones, familiar scent, visual barriers between cats - significantly reduce these welfare costs.

What You Can Do

Choose catteries with Feliway diffusers and individual enclosed pens
Bring familiar bedding from home when boarding your cat
Consider whether trusted home care is a lower-stress alternative