Is your cat going into boarding over the holiday period? Check out this helpful pre-boarding checklist that will help ensure that your cat’s stay is as purr-fect as possible!
Vaccinations
Unless your cat has been exempted due to a documented medical issue (e.g. they cannot receive vaccinations due to severe autoimmune issues), they will be required to be up to date with their vaccinations to attend a cattery. In most cases, this means that your cat will need to have received at least an F3 vaccination (against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus and feline panleucopaenia) within the last 12 months. Ideally this should be administered at least 14 days prior to boarding to ensure maximum protective effect.
You should double-check the specific vaccination policies of your boarding facility to confirm that your cat meets their admission criteria. If you’re unsure about your pet’s vaccination status, please check in with our friendly team.
Parasite prevention
Unfortunately, cats can be exposed to pesky parasites even in a boarding environment. We’d recommend that prior to boarding, you protect your cat with a long-lasting flea and mite (+/- tick) prevention product that will last for the duration of their stay. If you’re unsure about the most effective parasite control options for your pet, consult our knowledgeable vets for advice.
Grooming
Given your pet will be confined to a smaller area with less opportunities to naturally wear their claws, we’d advise sending them into boarding with well-trimmed claws. The cattery staff will also appreciate this for easier handling of your pet!
If your cat has long fur, you should also ensure they are matt-free and comfortable on arrival, ideally with any long fur trimmed from around their bottom to reduce the potential for uncomfortable post-toileting mess.
Support for sensitive felines
If your cat has a sensitive tummy, or you’re worried that they’ll be anxious in boarding, consult our feline-friendly vets regarding appropriate dietary or medical support measures.