Helping Your Cat Prepare for Their First Boarding Stay

If your cat has never boarded before—or if the only place they’ve ever travelled to is the vet—this article is for you! 🐱

A little preparation ahead of time can make travelling and boarding much easier for both you and your cat. The goal is to help your kitty feel comfortable with their carrier and understand that it’s a safe, familiar place.

Start with the carrier

One of the best things you can do is get your cat comfortable with their carrier well before their boarding stay. Ideally, leave it out at home with the door open for several weeks—or even months—before they need to travel.

I recommend a hard-sided carrier for a few reasons, with safety being the biggest one. Hard-sided carriers provide stability and are less likely to be damaged if they are bumped or jostled during travel. They also give your cat a sturdy space where they can comfortably stand, turn around and settle in.

Leaving the carrier out regularly also gives your cat the opportunity to form a positive association with it.

Try placing their favorite blanket or bedding inside, along with a few treats or even some of their meals. Let your cat explore it at their own pace. There’s no need to force them inside or close the door right away.

Once they are comfortable going in and out, you can gradually start closing the door for short periods. Open it again before they become anxious so they learn that being inside the carrier is temporary and that they will always be let back out.

Pack your cat's overnight bag

About a week before their stay, start gathering everything your cat will need. Just like packing for your own trip, your kitty has a little packing list too!

Most importantly, make sure you provide enough of their regular food for the entire stay. Some owners prefer to portion meals out by day, while others simply provide a labelled bag or container of food for the caregiver to portion out.

And don't forget the comforts of home! A favorite toy, stuffy, blanket or other familiar item can help your cat feel more at ease in their new surroundings.

Keep your cat in their carrier when travelling

When arriving at the boarding facility, always keep your cat safely inside their carrier until you are in their designated room or suite.

This helps prevent accidental escapes and also gives your cat a little extra protection from unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells.

Think of their carrier as their little safe space. Even if they don't particularly love it at home yet, it can become a comforting and familiar place when they're somewhere new.

Let your cat settle in at their own pace

Once you arrive at the boarding facility, place the carrier on the floor inside your cat's suite or enclosure and open the door.

Then let your cat decide when they're ready to come out.

Some cats will stroll out immediately as if they've been there before. Others may stay in their carrier, give you a little hiss, or simply refuse to come out. All of these reactions can be completely normal.

Your cat has just experienced a car ride, entered a new environment and encountered unfamiliar sounds and smells. They may need a little time to decompress and figure out that they are safe.

The most important thing is not to rush them.

Don't be surprised if your cat hides

Even if your cat comes out to explore while you're there, they may retreat into hiding after you leave. This is also very normal.

Some cats adjust quickly, while others may take several days to feel completely comfortable. Depending on the individual cat and their environment, it isn't unusual for a cat to spend the first 3–5 days taking things slowly.

This doesn't necessarily mean your cat is unhappy or that something is wrong. They're simply processing a lot of new experiences and figuring out their new surroundings.

Familiar smells from home can be very comforting during this time, which is another reason those favorite blankets, toys and other familiar items can be helpful. And don't be surprised if the carrier becomes your cat's favorite hiding spot for a while!

And what about you?

Sometimes the hardest part of boarding is actually leaving your cat behind!

It's completely understandable to feel a little nervous when you hear that your normally outgoing cat is hiding or behaving differently than they do at home. A good boarding provider should keep you informed about how your cat is settling in and let you know if there are any concerns.

Regular updates, photos and even live streaming can provide some extra reassurance and let you see how your kitty is doing while you're away.

And then the fun begins!

Once your cat has had some time to settle in and their new surroundings start feeling familiar, you'll often see their personality come out again.

They may start exploring, playing, watching the birds, enjoying their meals and settling into their temporary home.

And don't worry—your cat isn't going to forget you! ❤️

With a little preparation, patience and plenty of familiar comforts, boarding can become a positive experience for your cat—and a much more relaxing experience for you, too.