Cat kindergarten: how it works and who suits

While a person is at work, his cat can walk with his feline friends, relax in the pet house and enjoy scratching behind the ear. This is not just a dream of cat owners. Kindergartens for cats really exist, and today in large cities you can find a good cat center with all the amenities and qualified medical care.

Why take your pet to a cat daycare

While the average length of time a cat can safely be left alone at home depends on its age, behavior, and health, in general, you should never leave your cat alone for more than twelve hours. If family members are absent for more than this period, she may feel lonely and even anxious.

If the owner is working overtime, cat overexposure can be a good option for his pet. 

Like daycare centers for children and dogs, many daycare centers for cats operate flexible hours, allowing you to choose hours to fit the owner’s schedule. You can bring a cat to kindergarten on the way to work, pick it up on the way home, and then have a nice dinner together.

Cat shelters also offer a variety of entertainment and enrichment opportunities. This is suitable for cats that are prone to destructive behavior when left alone at home. Although the animals are not always eager to socialize with their fellows, they love to spend time with people and will find a lot of fun in the cat daycare.

Cat housekeeping also offers short-term care options for times when the presence of a cat in the house can create unnecessary stress for her – for example, on the day of moving or the arrival of a child in the house.

How to choose a kindergarten or hotel for a cat

There is no need to rush when choosing a kindergarten that is best for your furry friend. The first thing to do is to ask your veterinarian for advice – he will most likely be able to recommend establishments that suit the animal’s temperament and health needs. You can ask for recommendations from friends and relatives.

You also need to take into account the needs of the cat in terms of nutrition and medical care. Does the institution provide medical services? What is the accepted procedure for dealing with emergencies? Will staff be able to follow the cat’s medication schedule? If the pet is on a specialized therapeutic diet, you need to make sure that you can bring your own food.

Before you take your cat to kindergarten for the first time, you need to schedule a tour to assess if it is suitable for your pet. A personal visit will allow you to truly feel the atmosphere of this place and see how the staff interact with the animals. The cleanliness of the room should be checked, especially in the areas of feeding, sleeping and play, and around the trays.

First day in kindergarten

To help your cat feel as comfortable at a daycare or cat hotel as at home, Animal House of Chicago recommends bringing along a couple of your pet’s favorite toys. You can also put him your piece of clothing – your favorite T-shirt or a soft sweater that smells like the owner and which the pet can cuddle up to if he gets bored.

Be sure to put on a collar with a tag on the cat, which contains up-to-date contact information. It is hardly worth worrying about your pet running away from kindergarten, but it is better to wear this accessory whenever she goes out of the house.

Worrying about your fluffy little one “leaving the nest” is completely natural, especially for the first time, but knowing how well they’ll be cared for at the cat daycare will definitely help put your mind at ease.

See also:

• Traveling with a kitten
• What to bring with you if you go on vacation with a cat: a checklist
• How to choose the right carrier and train your cat
• Unusual accessories for cats