We are looking forward to your cat’s stay with us at Cats in the City! Better Care for Cats means preparing your cat for success with boarding. That’s why we want to share with you how to prepare your cat to have a successful boarding experience.

1) Notify: Tell your Veterinary Clinic and the Emergency Contact you provided that your cat will be staying at Cats in the City. This will help us to communicate effectively with your veterinary team and emergency contact if needed.

2) Vaccines: We encourage all cats to be up-to-date on FVRCP and Rabies vaccines. Please email a copy of your cat’s vaccine record to [email protected]. You can also provide at check-in a paper copy of your cat’s vaccine record. If your cat’s vaccinations need to be updated, we can help. For your convenience, we can schedule an appointment with our veterinary partners at Northwest Mobile Vet to update your cat’s FVRCP and/or Rabies vaccinations while your cat stays with us. If your cat should not receive the FVRCP or Rabies vaccines due to age, underlying condition, or sensitivity, we understand. Please have your vet write a note saying that your cat should not receive their FVRCP and/or Rabies vaccines.

3) Food and treats: Send along your cat’s usual food and treats and we will follow your feeding instructions. Only send foods and treats that you know agree with your cat’s system.

4) Medications: Send along your cat’s medications including the original prescription labels and we will follow your dosing instructions. It is important to provide us with the prescription label for any prescription medication we are administering. 

5) Proof of flea treatment: We require all cats to be on a flea preventative while they stay with us. If your cat is not current on their flea preventative, we can provide flea preventative at check-in. We use the high-quality topical flea preventative Cheristin. If your cat is currently on a flea preventative, please send along the product you use so that we can record it. You can also email us a picture of your product at [email protected]. If your cat should not receive flea preventative, we understand. Please have your veterinarian write a note saying that your cat should not receive flea preventative.

6) Toys: We have plenty of cat-safe toys! Please tell us if your cat should not have access to certain kinds of toys. For instance, if your cat is prone to ingesting string, we avoid using string toys to entertain your cat.

6) Linens: Send along something that smells like home. Whether it be a blanket, cat bed, pillow case, or t-shirt, a familiar item from home can help cats adjust more quickly to new environments. Please do not send soiled linens. Only clean linens from home will be used.

7) Brushes: If your cat enjoys brushing, please send along the brush you normally use. Brushing is a wonderful way to bond with a cat.

8) Food and water bowls: We provide food and water bowls. However, some food bowls are specialized like the sensor-activated food bowls. Please send specialized food bowls along with your cat if they are important for your cat’s feeding routine.  Please send specialized water bowls, like fountains, along with your cat if they are important for your cat’s water consumption.

9) Mirataz: Mirataz is a very safe prescription medication obtained from your veterinarian and it is used to encourage healthy appetite in cats when they experience low appetite or inappetence due to stress or an underlying condition. Please consider asking your veterinarian about the appetite stimulant Mirataz (Mirtazapine) for boarding. Cats that are 1) generally anxious or extremely shy, 2) strongly bonded to one person, or 3) are “picky eaters” at home might be more likely to experience low appetite or inappetence while boarding. If you think that your cat could experience low appetite or inappetence, please consider asking your veterinarian about Mirataz for boarding. If your cat has never boarded before, please consider asking your veterinarian about Mirataz for boarding. Even though most cats do not need Mirataz while boarding, some do and having the medication available is very helpful.

10) Gabapentin: Gabapentin is a very safe prescription medication obtained from your veterinarian and it is used to help cats relax when they become too anxious. Please consider asking your veterinarian about the anti-anxiety medication Gabapentin for boarding. Cats that are generally anxious or extremely reactive might be more likely to experience unhealthy levels of anxiety while boarding. If you think that your cat could experience high anxiety or reactivity, please consider asking your veterinarian about Gabapentin for boarding. Even though most cats do not need Gabapentin while boarding, some do and having the medication available is very helpful.

11) Hairball control: If your cat is prone to hairballs, please send along the hairball remedy you prefer for your cat, whether it be a paste, treat, or powder.

12) Trim your cat’s nails: Cats that board with us are NOT required to have their nails trimmed. However, we reserve the right to trim nails for safety at the client’s expense. You can also request a nail trim during your cat’s stay.