Should your hire a cat sitter or board your cat?
Cat Sitter vs. Boarding Your Cat: Weighing the Benefits
When planning a trip away from home, cat owners are faced with an important decision: Should they board their cat, or hire a cat sitter? While boarding facilities offer professional care, many are now turning to cat sitters for a more personalized approach. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of hiring a cat sitter versus boarding your cat, helping you make the best choice for your feline friend.
1. The Comfort of Home
Cat Sitter:
Cats are territorial animals and often feel most comfortable in their own environment. A cat sitter allows your cat to stay in familiar surroundings, reducing stress and anxiety.
Familiar sights, smells, and sounds of home can keep your cat calm and comfortable.
Boarding:
Boarding takes cats out of their familiar environment, which can be stressful for some, especially those that are shy or anxious.
2. Personalized Attention and Care
Cat Sitter:
Cat sitters provide one-on-one care tailored to your cat’s specific needs and routines, including feeding, playtime, and grooming.
This individual attention ensures your cat’s routine remains uninterrupted, a key to their well-being.
Boarding:
While boarding facilities provide professional care, they may not be able to offer the same level of individual attention due to the number of pets they oversee.
3. Health and Safety
Cat Sitter:
The risk of exposure to illnesses from other animals is minimized in the safety of your home.
Cat sitters can closely monitor your cat’s health and provide updates, quickly addressing any issues that arise.
Boarding:
Despite vaccination requirements, boarding facilities carry the risk of exposure to illnesses from other animals.
4. Minimized Disruption and Stress
Cat Sitter:
Keeping your cat in their own home avoids the stress associated with transportation to and from a boarding facility.
Cats who are sensitive to changes in their routine or environment benefit from the consistency a cat sitter provides.
Boarding:
The process of transportation and adjusting to a new environment can be stressful for cats, especially those who do not adapt well to change.
5. Additional Home Security
Cat Sitter:
A cat sitter can provide added home security, by collecting mail, watering plants, and making your house looked lived in while you’re away.
This dual role of cat care and home maintenance is a bonus for many cat owners. Cat sitters are trained to handle unexpected emergencies as well. You can read our blog on the subject here.
Boarding:
Boarding facilities focus solely on pet care, with no additional benefits for home security.
Conclusion
Choosing between a cat sitter and boarding your cat depends on your cat’s personality, health, and preferences. For many, the benefits of hiring a cat sitter – including personalized care, minimal stress, and the comfort of staying at home – outweigh boarding options. Understanding your cat’s needs and temperament is key to making the best choice for their care while you’re away, ensuring they remain happy, safe, and well-cared for.