Boarding a cat costs $25 to $40 per night but can vary greatly by region and length of stay. Prices increase for cats with special needs or when including grooming services. Add $10 to $15 for a nail trim or up to $80+ for a deluxe grooming package.

Cat boarding is a service to care for your cat while you are away from home for an extended period. A cat boarding facility may board only cats or both cats and dogs (typically in separate areas). Cat hotels often have roomier cages and cater more to cats' specific needs than dual facilities.

Vaccine requirements depend on the state and can vary by facility, but most boarding services require proof of rabies and feline distemper vaccines. Many facilities also require a feline leukemia and feline AIDs (FeLV/FIV) vaccine testing for it prior to boarding.

While boarding may be stressful for some cats, it may be more stressful leaving them home with no human interaction. Even though cats are in cages most of the time they are boarding, there is typically activity around them, which can help ease their anxiety.

Every cat has different behaviors and needs and you know your cat best. Consider an in-home cat sitting service if you feel boarding them in a facility will be too stressful.

Researching and asking the right questions can help you find the best boarding service near you. Look for a boarding facility that:

• Has clean, secure, and comfortable cages with adequate space for your cat to move around
• Has sufficient staff that is well trained
• Is a member of the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC)
• Requires current vaccination records
• Screens cats for fleas and ticks before boarding
• Demonstrates emergency preparedness
• Has consistently positive reviews on HomeGuide and Google
• Provides supervised play & feeding time
• Gives a balance of down time and activity

Ask the following questions when researching cat boarding facilities:

• How long have you been in business?
• Can you supply a list of references?
• Are you a member of the PACCC?
• What training and certifications do the staff have?
• What vaccinations does my cat need before boarding?
• Do you screen every animal for fleas and ticks before boarding?
• Are there dogs at the boarding facility, and if so, do you keep them separate from the cats?
• Does each cat have its own cage or kennel?
• What do you do if my cat gets sick or injured while boarding?
• What is the daily feed and play schedule?
• How often do you clean the kennels?
• What do you use to clean the kennels?
• Is someone at the facility overnight?