Tips For Leaving A Shy, Antisocial Cat At A Boarding Facility
Posted on: 20 July 2016
If you have a cat that is very shy around people and tends to have antisocial tendencies, you may he worried about leaving her at a boarding facility while you go away on vacation. Cats, in general, don't tend to like new places, and for a shy cat, this experience can be even more traumatic. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help your shy cat settle in and tolerate the boarding experience with less struggle.
Bring familiar bedding.
Cats are very responsive to scents, and your cat will feel more comfortable in the boarding facility if there are familiar scents around her. When you put your cat into the cat carrier to take her to the boarder's, put a blanket or pillow that your cat likes to sleep on in the cat carrier. Make sure this blanket gets put in your cat's cage or confinement area at the boarding facility.
Choose a facility with spacious enclosures that include hiding spaces.
Cats don't like to feel confined in small spaces, so a spacious enclosure is a must. Many cat boarding facilities offer spacious enclosures with windows to let the sun stream inside. The windows also give the cat something to stare at, which will help keep them busy and distracted. For a shy cat, however, you want an enclosure that is not just spacious, but that also offers some privacy. Whether this privacy comes in the form of a box-like structure the cat can hide in, a solid wall over part of the enclosure, or a covered cat bed, it will give your shy kitty a place to hide when she is feeling scared.
Ask your vet for some calming medications.
There are medications your vet can prescribe to keep your cat calm in stressful situations. Going to the boarder really is a stressful situation for a shy cat, and these medications can make everything from getting into the cat carrier to being stuck in a cage less problematic. Give your cat a dose before you leave for the boarding facility. Also, leave a few doses with the boarding facility so they can give your cat some calming medication if he or she appears particularly anxious.
Spending time at the boarder is not easy for a shy cat, but it's important to remember that even the most shy of cats are pretty resilient. If you follow the tips above, your cat will suffer minimally and should forgive you pretty promptly once you return home.
For more information about pet boarding, talk to companies like the Doggie Daycare & Motel.
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