How much does it cost to board a cat
Introduction
Whether you’ve got a feline friend, or are considering getting one, you should know that the cost of cat care can add up. Sure, some cats may not be as expensive as dogs to take care of, but they’re still gonna set you back a few bucks. In this guide we’ll go over how much it costs to have a cat and all the different things you need to pay for in order to make sure your furry pal is well-cared for.
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Picking a cat boarding facility
When looking for a cat boarding facility, there are several things to consider:
- The distance of the facility from your home. When considering how much it will cost to board your cat, you’ll want to look into travel expenses and gas costs. If the facility is too far away, you’re going to spend more money and time traveling back and forth.
- Cleanliness of the facility. You should also make sure that the facility is clean and safe for cats before choosing one (more on this later).
- Cat-only facilities versus bird kennels. If possible, find a place that doesn’t take care of dogs or other animals—this can be good for both your cat’s health and comfort level when they arrive at their new temporary “home” while you’re away on vacation or work trip!
- Reputation of the place where they keep animals in their care so that they feel comfortable leaving them there while they travel outside town with no worries about what might happen while they’re gone (or worse yet…what kind?).
How to prepare your cat for the trip
Before you book your flight, there are a few things you need to consider. Your cat should be current on vaccinations and flea/tick medication, and he should also have his microchip registered. Take your cat for a checkup at the vet just before traveling so that he’s fit to fly. If possible, treat any medical issues before making plans for travel: if your cat has an ear infection or other ailment that requires antibiotics, make sure it’s cleared up before you go anywhere!
If your kitty is used to being in carriers or boxes, this won’t be a problem; but if not (and particularly if he’s young), give him time to get accustomed to spending time in one—even if it means leaving it out overnight so that he gets used to seeing it around. Have everyone else in the house help out; keep treats (or food) handy so they can reward him whenever they see him go into his carrier voluntarily.
Food, supplies, and medications you’ll need to pack
While you’re packing up your cat’s things, don’t forget to pack food and water bowls. Also, be sure to bring along any medications he or she may need while they’re away from home.
If the vet has prescribed any special foods or supplements for your cat, consider bringing them along in case of an emergency or prolonged stay at the vet’s office. You’ll need a litter box as well—don’t forget to pack it! Your kitty will also appreciate toys and treats (or if you can swing it, a bed) to make his/her stay more comfortable.
Neutering and spaying cats
If you’re thinking about adopting a kitten or adult cat, neutering and spaying are important for your cat’s health. Neutering, the surgical procedure in which a male cat’s testicles are removed, is performed by veterinarians to prevent breeding and decrease testosterone levels. Spaying, the removal of a female cat’s uterus and ovaries, prevents reproduction as well as ovarian cysts and uterine infections. These procedures can also help prevent diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats that have been fixed. Additionally, neutered male cats tend to be less aggressive than those who are not fixed—a benefit if you live with other pets or children!
The benefits don’t stop there: reducing pet overpopulation is another reason why it’s important for all cats to be fixed at an early age (around four months). According to The Humane Society of the United States , millions of unwanted kittens enter animal shelters every year; many more die before they reach maturity due either directly or indirectly from this issue alone.”
What to pack in your cat’s overnight bag
If you plan on taking your cat along when traveling, it’s important to pack some essentials. Here’s what we recommend:
- Food and water bowls
- Litter box
- Toys and treats that are safe for cats to play with while they’re traveling. These can include catnip-filled toys or even regular toys that are made with materials that won’t get damaged if they come into contact with litter box contents.
- Litter box deodorizer (we recommend using this before your trip)
Should you let your cat stay at home on its own while you’re gone?
Cats are independent and can stay on their own. They have to be fed, but they’re otherwise self-sustaining. Cats can be left alone for a day, weekend or week without any problems. If you’re going away on vacation, it’s possible that your cat may need more attention than usual. If so, consider finding someone to come in and check up on him regularly while you’re gone or placing him in a cat boarding facility where he’ll be able to socialize with other cats during the day and sleep in his own bed at night.
Some cats will adapt well to being left alone at home while their owners are gone all day long every weekday; however this is not true for all cats. The key here is to determine what works best for both of you before making any big decisions about how much time apart is ideal for each of your unique personalities!
How to get a pet sitter or a pet kennel
To board your cat, you’ll need to find a pet sitter or kennel that is close to your house. Your vet may have some recommendations for a good boarding place in the area. If so, follow up with them and ask if they can give you any more information on the facility.
When choosing where to leave your cat while you’re away, make sure that the facility has been around for at least a few years and is well-established. Also check their reviews online and see what other customers say about it—you want to know that this person or company has been trustworthy in the past!
In addition to asking about the facilities themselves, ask about their policies regarding visitors (if allowed), interaction between staff members and pets during visits (if allowed), vaccinations required by law or policy before leaving animals at their facility (if allowed), experience caring for various types of pets like yours before accepting new ones into their care (if applicable), insurance coverage provided through all pet owners’ accounts as well as those who request additional coverage options from time-to-time based upon specific needs at hand
Using a pet hotel or resort
If you’re planning on leaving your cat at a boarding facility, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, it’s important that you find the right place for your pet. You don’t want to just choose any old kitty hotel or resort and hope for the best! There are tons of options out there but not all of them are created equal—you want to pick a place that is clean, safe, friendly with other animals and has lots of space for your feline friend. It should also have an indoor/outdoor facility so they can get some fresh air when necessary.
Once you’ve selected the perfect spot for your kitty friend, it’s time for drop-off day! Before you go make sure everything is taken care off: food bowls washed and put away; toys picked up; litter box cleaned out (or emptied if they prefer). If applicable make sure he/she has been spayed/neutered as well as up-to-date on vaccines so there won’t be any issues while they’re away from home. Now gather up all their belongings—bedding pads included—and head over to drop off day!
Taking care of a cat is not cheap.
If you’re thinking about getting a cat, you’ve probably heard that it’s not cheap. And if you’re already a cat owner, then this is just the confirmation you need to be sure that your furry companion is costing you more than just love and affection.
Here’s some information about how much it costs to board a cat:
- The average cost of boarding a cat for one week is $50-70 per month, or $600-840 per year.
- The average cost of neutering (for females) ranges from $100-$400 depending on where you live and who performs the surgery.
- The average cost of spaying (for females) ranges from $100-$400 depending on where you live and who performs the surgery.
- A pet sitter costs roughly $15-$30 per day depending on where they live; while pet kennels are between $10-$50 per night depending on size; pet resorts charge around $40-$75 per day; and hotels within 60 miles may charge up to $125 per night for each pet in your party but offer free room service for three days at check-in and two nights at check-out at no additional cost!
Conclusion
Now that you know the costs of cat boarding, it’s essential to consider this question: is it worth it? There are many factors that determine the answer to this question. If you’re going on vacation, do you have friends or family who could take care of your cat while you’re gone? Is there someone nearby who can check in on them and make sure they have food and clean water? If so, then they might be better off staying home with a pet sitter. On the other hand, if you don’t have anyone close by to come over and watch your cat for a few days (or even a few hours), then it might be best to send them somewhere safe like a kennel or hotel.