Leaving your cat behind when you go on holiday or away for work is never easy. Cats are creatures of habit, and thus, deeply attached to their routines, their spaces, and the familiar smells of home. So the idea of dropping them off somewhere new can be a little too daunting. However, the truth is that with the right preparation, a cattery stay can be a genuinely positive experience for your cat.
Whether you’re considering a cattery in Bedlington for the first time or you’ve been before and want to make the transition smoother, a little groundwork can be of help.
A Calm Cattery Stay: Here’s How to Prepare Your Cat
Start With the Right Cattery Choice
Preparation begins with choosing the right place for your cat. Not all catteries are created equal, and the environment your cat goes into will have a significant impact on how well they settle.
Always go for a cattery that feels clean and organised. Ask whether cats are housed individually or whether there’s an option for pets from the same household to be put together. Heated facilities are an added bonus, more so if your cat is older or used to a warm home.
A good cattery will also ask about your cat’s routine, preferences, and personality. This kind of attentiveness matters a lot.
Get the Paperwork in Order Early
Most reputable catteries require proof of up-to-date vaccinations before accepting a booking. This is important. In fact, it is a straightforward measure that protects every cat on the premises.
The core/ main vaccinations typically required include feline enteritis and cat flu. If your cat’s boosters are overdue, try booking a vet appointment well in advance of your trip. That’s because leaving it to the last minute leads to unnecessary stress. Moreover, some catteries don’t accept cats whose vaccinations were updated fewer than two weeks before the stay.
Make Home Feel Like It Comes With Them
As mentioned before, cats take enormous comfort in familiar scents. So, one of the most important things you can do before a cattery stay is to send something of yours along. This can be a worn t-shirt or a small blanket that carries the smell of home. It gives your cat something to anchor themselves to in an unfamiliar setting.
Try packing their usual food if possible. Changing diet during a period of stress is a reliable recipe for stomach upset. Luckily, a good cattery in Bedlington will happily follow your cat’s normal feeding routine.
You can even include any favourite toys or a familiar bed, as even small details make a huge difference.
What to Expect Once They’re There?
Every cat responds differently to a cattery stay. While some settle within hours, others take a day or two to get used to it. This is entirely normal and not a reflection of the cattery’s quality or your cat’s wellbeing.
A good cattery in Bedlington will keep a close eye on how your cat is eating, drinking, and behaving. They generally have staff who genuinely care about the animals in their care. This allows them to notice if something doesn’t seem right and act accordingly.
Key Takeaway
Preparing your cat for a cattery stay isn’t about eliminating every trace of uncertainty. Rather, it is more about reducing it to a manageable level through thoughtful/ practical steps. Cats are more adaptable than they’re often given credit for. So, with a little care, most cats not only cope with a cattery stay, but they do quite well.
At Grange Villa Kennels, we understand just how much your cat means to you. That’s why, as a family-run cattery, we offer both short-term and long-term boarding for them in a clean and healthy environment. Our enclosed paddocks give cats a safe, secure area to stretch their legs and explore at their own pace. We also offer heated facilities, so even on the coldest nights, your cat stays warm. Want to know more? Feel free to get in touch with us.
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