Leaving your cat in boarding for the first time can feel like a very big step.
You may wonder whether they will eat, how long they will take to settle and whether the people caring for them will understand their particular ways. Perhaps they only eat when dinner is presented just so, or enjoy attention but prefer to be the one who initiates it.
These are perfectly understandable concerns. Your cat is part of the family, and trusting someone else with their care is not something you do lightly.
At Hotel for Cats, every guest has private accommodation and care shaped around their individual needs. We take the time to learn about your puddycat before they settle into their room, so we know how they usually eat, play, relax and make friends.
Quick answer
When boarding your cat for the first time, it can help to make their carrier familiar beforehand and keep their usual routine steady in the days leading up to the stay. Bring their vaccination record, information about their food and any clearly labelled medication. A favourite blanket or toy can also add a familiar scent to their room. At Hotel for Cats, each guest stays in private accommodation and is given time to settle at their own pace.
Make the carrier part of the furniture
If your cat only sees their carrier immediately before a car journey, it is understandable that they may be suspicious of it.
Leaving the carrier open in a familiar room for several days can make it feel less unusual. You might place their blanket inside or leave a few treats for them to discover. Some cats will begin sleeping in it; others may simply give it the occasional inspection.
There is no need to force them inside while you are introducing it. The aim is simply to let the carrier become an ordinary object rather than an unexpected arrival on check-in day.
If your cat is comfortable in their carrier but uncertain about the car, a couple of short practice drives may also make the journey feel more familiar. This is entirely optional, particularly for cats who already travel without much fuss.
Keep things familiar before the stay
Cats often appreciate predictability, so the days before boarding are not the time to introduce lots of changes.
You can continue feeding your cat at their usual times and follow their normal home routine. If suitcases appear and furniture starts filling with holiday supplies, having their familiar carrier and blanket nearby may give them something recognisable among the activity.
A calm, unhurried check-in can also make the departure easier. Once we have talked through your cat’s needs, our team will take them to the suite prepared for their arrival and allow them to begin exploring in their own time.
Tell us about the cat behind the booking
The information you share at check-in helps us understand how to approach your cat.
It is useful to know:
- What they normally eat and when
- Whether they are confident or cautious with new people
- The kind of attention they enjoy
- Whether they like toys, brushing or quiet company
- Where they prefer to sleep
- Any health concerns or recent changes
- What behaviour is normal for them
- Anything that tends to help them feel comfortable
Perhaps your cat adores a brush but does not enjoy being picked up. Maybe they are reserved with new people but become affectionate once they feel secure. These details help our feline butlers care for the individual guest, rather than making assumptions based on how other cats behave.
What might your cat like to bring?
Your cat does not need to relocate the entire contents of home for their stay. Most families find that one or two familiar comforts are enough.
You are welcome to bring a favourite blanket, bed or suitable toy for your cat’s room. Familiar scents can help their new surroundings feel more recognisable, especially during the first day.
If your puddycat has many beloved possessions, you might choose the item they use most often or one that carries the scent of home. Anything you bring should be labelled so it can be kept with your cat’s belongings.
Along with their carrier, useful things to have ready include:
- Their current vaccination record
- Any food you would like us to serve
- Clearly labelled medication and instructions
- A favourite blanket, bed or suitable toy
- Current contact and emergency contact details
Our team will talk through these items with you during check-in.
Keeping their usual food
Food is an important part of a cat’s routine, and many owners prefer their puddycat to continue eating the same meals while they are away.
You are welcome to bring your cat’s usual food from home. This can be particularly useful for cats with sensitive stomachs, prescription diets, strong preferences or a routine that already works well for them.
If you bring food, pack enough for the booking and label it with your cat’s name. Simple information about portions, feeding times and any connection between food and medication will help us follow their usual routine.
Hotel for Cats can also provide premium dry food, while wet food and other dietary options can be arranged.
Our guide to keeping your cat’s usual diet while boarding explains the available choices and how to prepare food from home.
Preparing medication
Cats who take regular medication can still enjoy a lovely stay at Hotel for Cats.
Our trained team can administer most oral and topical medications when this has been arranged beforehand. Let us know what your cat needs when making the booking so we can review the instructions before they arrive.
Medication should remain in its original packaging with the veterinary prescription and dosage information clearly visible. It also helps to tell us how your cat usually takes it, particularly if there is a method that works well at home.
For more detailed preparation advice, read our guide to cat boarding with medication.
Checking their health requirements
Hotel for Cats requires guests to have a current F3 vaccination. Cats must also be desexed, except for kittens under six months of age.
It is worth checking the vaccination record when you make the booking. That gives you time to arrange an update with Blakehurst Vet or your regular veterinarian if one is needed.
Flea treatment is applied as part of check-in. You can bring a suitable treatment for our team to apply or arrange to purchase one from us.
You can also visit our frequently asked questions for current information about health requirements, check-in and what is included in your cat’s stay.
What happens on check-in day?
Check-in begins at 12pm from Monday to Saturday.
We welcome you into our check-in room, where we talk through your cat’s food, medication, favourite comforts, personality and health needs. We also confirm your contact information and emergency contact details.
After you have said goodbye, our team takes your cat to the private suite prepared for them that morning. Their familiar blanket or toy can be placed in the room, and they are given time to investigate everything at their own pace.
Some puddycats begin exploring immediately. Others prefer to sit quietly and observe before deciding what they think of the room and its staff.
Our article on what happens on a cat’s first day at Hotel for Cats takes you through the arrival and settling-in process step by step.
Every cat settles differently
There is no single correct way for a cat to behave on their first day.
A confident guest may leave their carrier, inspect the room and begin seeking attention very quickly. A cautious cat may prefer to watch quietly until the surroundings feel familiar.
Taking a little longer does not mean a cat is having a bad stay. Often, they are simply gathering information and deciding when they are ready to engage.
Our team follows their lead. An outgoing puddycat may welcome play and attention early on, while a quieter guest may appreciate gentle conversation and more time.
You can read more about why some cats settle into boarding faster than others.
Private accommodation gives them room to settle
Every guest at Hotel for Cats stays in private accommodation. Cats from different households are never mixed.
This gives your cat a room they can begin making their own, without having to share it with unfamiliar cats. Cats from the same family may stay together when they already live happily together and the chosen room is suitable.
Our accommodation ranges from comfortable private options to large designer suites and apartment-style Penthouse rooms. Senior Suites with low ramps are also available for older or less mobile puddycats.
You can compare the choices on our rooms and suites page or read our guide to choosing the right luxury cat suite.
Familiar care, play and quiet company
Interaction during a stay is guided by your cat’s personality and what you tell us they enjoy.
Some guests love toys, brushing and attention from the moment we meet. Others prefer quiet company while they become familiar with their surroundings. A gentle visit can be just as valuable as a lively play session when that is what the cat wants.
Our rooms also offer opportunities to climb, watch the world and choose different resting places. You can learn more about why enrichment matters during cat boarding.
Keeping an eye on how they are doing
Our team monitors each guest’s eating, drinking, toileting and behaviour throughout their stay.
The information you provide gives us a helpful picture of what is normal for your cat. If you tell us they are usually very enthusiastic about meals, for example, we know that a change in appetite deserves attention.
Hotel for Cats operates alongside Blakehurst Vet, with a full veterinary clinic on the premises. If something causes concern, veterinary expertise is close at hand.
Our guide explains what happens if a cat becomes sick while boarding.
A glimpse of their first holiday
Every stay includes one complimentary weekly photo or video update with a written summary.
It is a chance to see how your puddycat is settling and which part of the room they have claimed as their own. Additional updates can be arranged if required.
Many owners find the first update particularly reassuring. The cat they worried might never emerge from the carrier is often discovered stretched across a bed, watching television or supervising room service.
Frequently asked questions about first-time cat boarding
How can I prepare my cat for boarding for the first time?
Making the carrier familiar, keeping your cat’s home routine steady and preparing their food and health information can all help. A favourite blanket or toy can also add a familiar scent to their private room.
What should I bring for my cat’s stay?
Bring your cat in a secure carrier, along with their vaccination record, any food you are supplying, clearly labelled medication and a familiar comfort if you would like to include one. We will also confirm your contact and emergency contact details.
Can my cat eat their usual food?
Yes. You are welcome to provide your cat’s normal food, including prescription or special diets. Hotel for Cats can also provide premium dry food, with wet food and other dietary options available.
Can my cat bring their favourite blanket or toy?
Yes. Familiar blankets, beds and suitable toys are welcome. These can add a recognisable scent to the suite while your cat becomes comfortable.
Will my cat have to mix with other cats?
No. Cats from different households are never mixed at Hotel for Cats. Cats from the same family may share a suitable room if they already live happily together.
How long will it take my cat to settle?
Every cat is different. Some begin exploring immediately, while others prefer to observe quietly before showing their usual personality. Our team gives each guest the time and approach that suits them.
Can you give my cat medication?
Most oral and topical medications can be administered when arranged before the stay. Medication should remain in its original packaging with clear veterinary prescription and dosage information.
What if my cat does not eat straight away?
Some cats eat normally from their first meal, while others may take a little time to adjust. Our team monitors each guest’s appetite, water intake, toileting and behaviour and can seek veterinary support if a change causes concern.
Will I receive an update?
Every stay includes one complimentary weekly photo or video update with a written summary. Additional updates can be arranged if required.
How early should I book?
Booking once your travel dates are confirmed gives you the best choice of accommodation. Christmas, Easter, school holidays and long weekends often fill well in advance. Our guide explains how far ahead to book cat boarding.
Ready for their first holiday?
Boarding your cat for the first time may feel like a big step, but you do not have to prepare everything perfectly.
A familiar carrier, their usual food information and a few details about what makes them comfortable give us a wonderful place to start. Once they arrive, our team will take the time to get to know them and help them settle into their private room in their own way.
Explore our rooms and suites and book your puddycat’s first stay online.