Boarding Cattery Welfare for Cats

Boarding in a cattery causes stress for many cats separated from their home environment. Choosing high-welfare facilities and appropriate preparation minimises welfare compromise.

Key Facts

Most cats experience some degree of stress in boarding environments away from home territory
Isolation from familiar scent environment causes anxiety in territory-dependent cats
High-quality catteries provide individual pens with outdoor runs and enrichment
Feline Boarding Associates accreditation provides a quality benchmark for UK facilities
Some cats fare better with in-home sitting than boarding cattery environments

Welfare Considerations

Cats are highly territorial animals for whom removal from their home environment causes significant stress. The unfamiliar scent environment of a boarding cattery eliminates the security cues cats depend on. However, well-designed facilities with appropriate spatial separation between cats, enrichment provision, and experienced staff can minimise stress substantially. Bringing familiar bedding and toys, maintaining dietary routine, and choosing facilities that allow separate pens rather than shared spaces reduces welfare compromise during boarding.

What You Can Do

Visit boarding facilities before booking to assess cleanliness, enrichment, and staff approach
Bring familiar bedding and a worn clothing item for cats during boarding
Consider professional home cat sitting for anxious cats who struggle with boarding
Choose FAB-accredited or equivalent quality-assured boarding facilities