How to Choose a Cat Hotel for Optimum Care of Your Feline Friend

Your cat is giving you some epic side-eye right now. The carrier is out in plain view, and they know something is up. You're heading out of town soon, but you still haven't found the perfect cat hotel for their stay. 

Cue the panic! Take a deep breath. 

You're not abandoning your furry BFF; you're finding them a five-star kitty vacation spot. Consider it a spa retreat, but longer.

Your mission is to locate a cat hotel that will keep your feline friend purring with happiness while you're gone. 

How? 

Here are some tips:

Location and Accessibility

The ideal cat hotel has a convenient location so that you can easily reach or access it. Do not choose very remote areas, but go for a cat hotel residing in the middle of a busy road in a proper city. 

Find somewhere that's easily reachable from your home, may be a 30 minutes ride from your home to let your cat check-in a really good hotel prioritizing peace and relaxation for the feline guests.

Accommodation Quality

Your cat deserves better than a tiny cage while you're away. Look for hotels with spacious “cat condos” or suites/rooms instead. 

These larger enclosures give your cat ample room to roam, play, climb, and lounge. 

Ideal cat hotels try to mimic a home environment with multi-level spaces, high perches, cozy hideaways, and provide scratchable surfaces. 

Ask what materials they use to build the cat spaces. Smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces are best for good hygiene. 

Plush, washable and single-cat-use blankets elevate the hygiene standards. Cardboard scratch pads cater to your cat's comfort and natural scratching instinct.

Hygiene and Safety Protocols

A pristine environment is important to protect your cat's health. 

Inquire about the hotel's cleaning routine and methods. Staff should fully sanitize dining areas, and living spaces daily and clean the litter box several times daily.

Confirm their protocols if a guest cat gets sick. Good facilities have separate quarantine zones to prevent contagious diseases from spreading. 

AVS licensed facilities requires that all visiting cats have up-to-date vaccinations. Do ensure that you are boarding your cat with a registered boarding facility and avoid private, unlicensed home boarding.

Finally, learn about their emergency response procedures so you can travel with peace of mind, knowing your cat is in good hands.

Staff Qualifications and Cat Handling

The staff caring for your cat makes a huge impact on their stay. 

Find out what qualifications and specialized cat experience the team has. Look for members with backgrounds in veterinary nursing or certified training in cat behavior and care. 

Ask how they handle anxious or stressed cats — a knowledgeable staff uses gentle, fear-free handling techniques to keep cats calm. They should also recognize signs of illness or distress. 

The best cat hotels invest in ongoing education for employees so they can provide exceptional, compassionate care.

Enrichment and Activity Options

Cats have needs for mental and physical stimulation, even while "on vacation." 

Quality cat hotels incorporate enrichment into their programs. These activities might include climbing structures, food puzzles, or interactive toys to keep your cat engaged. 

Some facilities provide one-on-one playtime and cuddles with staff or includes regular wellness services such as facial cleaning or deshedding. 

Ask about their daily schedule. It should include a healthy mix of playtime, quiet time, and chances for rest, much like your cat's routine at home. 

Live webcams allow you to check in and see your cat playing, which is reassuring. If not available, the hotel should send daily image or video updates and discuss with you any abnormalities or observations about the cat. 

Feeding and Medication Policies

Your cat's diet is key for their health and contentment. 

Discuss the hotel's food policies in detail, do they allow homecooked meals or raw feeding or can they suggest alternatives. Ideally, owners bring the cats regular food and store it in airtight containers. How close can they stick to your cat's normal feeding schedules?

If your cat takes medication, ensure the staff are trained to administer it correctly and keep thorough documentation. 

Clear feeding and medication records help maintain your cat's routine.

Communication and Visitation Policies

Open communication between you and the hotel staff is extremely important. 

Ask how often they provide owner updates — some send daily photos or videos of your cat. 

See if you can schedule phone calls for questions or reassurance. 

If you're nearby, find out their policies for owner visits during the stay – for example if your cat is boarded to renovation or a house move. Seeing you can comfort your cat in unfamiliar surroundings. 

Also, learn what to expect at check-in/out so the process goes smoothly. Check if the cat hotel will allow you some time to settle in with your cat during check in and what time works best for this. You need to interact with the staff who can answer the questions you might be having without rushing through things.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the ideal cat hotel takes careful consideration of several factors, like the ones we've covered. 

The goal is to find a place offering comfort, safety, and engaging care for your cat friend. 

Top facilities like Shangri-Paw emphasize spacious rooms, fear-free handling, and expert staff training. 

Ultimately, the best cat hotels feel like a home away from home. Take time to ask questions and trust your gut. 

Your cat's happy homecoming purrs will assure you that you chose the right resort for them!