Why Boarding Your Cats Together Can Make Travel Easier
If you have multiple cats at home and you’re planning a trip, you might wonder what’s best for them while you’re away. Boarding your cats together, when handled with care, can be a kind choice for your pets. Keeping feline friends together through boarding isn’t just about convenience—it can reduce their anxiety, maintain their bond, and turn their time apart from you into a positive experience.
What Does Boarding Cats Together Mean?
When cats from the same household are boarded together, they share the same space while you’re gone. This space can be anything from a roomy condo, a connected set of kennels, or even an entire suite designed for feline groups. These shared spaces often have special features for comfort and enrichment like tunnels, window seats, or vertical towers to mimic what cats might enjoy at home. Many modern boarding facilities have adopted the suite model, especially for homes with more than one cat, recognizing the growing need as multi-cat households become more popular.
People usually have questions about this option: Will my cats enjoy staying together? Are there risks of fighting or stress? How do facilities keep the cats safe and comfortable? This guide breaks down what boarding cats together means, along with its advantages and possible concerns, so you can choose what works best for your own pets.
The Setup: What Shared Cat Boarding Includes
When your cats are boarded together, here’s what typically happens:
- Your cats will stay in a shared condo, large kennel, or even a connected set of rooms.
- All cats share access to resources—like beds, litter boxes, food areas, toys, or even separate climbing and hiding spots.
- The same facility staff members will care for all of your cats at the same time, and booking together might mean better rates or more space compared to booking separately.
Boarding for cats has changed a lot over time. Traditional facilities used to put cats in small cages, but now, you’ll find quieter boarding wings just for cats and suites with climbing towers, multiple beds, and larger living areas designed to meet feline social needs. Facilities are responding to trends in how people live—with more homes sharing life with two or more cats!
The Upsides of Boarding Cats Together
For cats who already get along well, sharing a suite while boarding can be good for their emotional health and also for practical reasons.
Emotional Comfort
- Being in a new place can be confusing for cats, but having their feline friend close can provide much-needed support and lessen the shock of being away from you and their usual routine.
- A bolder or more relaxed cat can help a shy or nervous housemate feel at ease. Observing a companion who’s willing to explore or play can speed up the transition.
- Multi-cat households benefit from shared play, affection, and grooming—boarding together keeps this routine intact and helps avoid loneliness or boredom.
Everyday Benefits
- Cats who board together often get access to a bigger shared space without much added cost.
- It’s easier for staff to keep track of both cats’ habits, eating, and health when they’re together (helpful for cats with medical needs).
- Keeping their home habits, like sharing beds or food bowls, makes their adjustment easier and helps them cope better during your absence.
Scientific studies have found that for some cats, being with a buddy is calming in stressful times. However, what matters most isn’t just the number of cats, but their specific relationship, their histories, and the way their shared space and resources are set up.
When Sharing a Boarding Suite Might Not Work
Cats are sometimes skilled at tolerating each other at home but may not truly be friends. Stress or new environments might cause tension to increase.
Consider Potential Downsides
- If your cats tend to keep a polite distance at home, seem irritated around each other, or have fought before, being confined together could make things worse.
- A shared suite that’s too small, with not enough hiding areas, litter boxes, or perches, can raise stress and make cats more likely to fight or avoid each other.
- Cats who compete over resources or guarding behavior at home may do this even more intensely in a smaller space.
Some scientific research suggests communal spaces can sometimes be stressful for certain cats, while others do just fine. Every cat is different.
Common Misunderstandings About Multi-Cat Boarding
Myth: “If my cats live together, they should always board together.”
The answer depends on their specific relationship. Multiple cats living together doesn’t always mean harmony. If your cats regularly bicker or keep to themselves at home, request separated (but adjacent) suites or condos.
Myth: “Cats would rather be alone while boarding.”
Although cats are independent by nature, many form close bonds with their housemates. For tightly bonded pairs, being separated might cause more worry than comfort.
Myth: “A large room is all they need.”
Space matters, but the arrangement is just as important. Cats must have separate high-up hiding places, multiple litter boxes, and enough room to escape from each other as needed.
Challenges and Advantages for Facilities
What Boarding Places Must Do
- Offer enough vertical climbing space, cozy corners, and several feeding and litter options within one suite.
- Properly assess relationships using check-in questions, observation, or even trial setups.
- Keep infection risks low; vaccination records and diligent cleaning are key.
Modern Improvements
- Premium cat hotels are meeting the demand for multi-cat care with larger suites, daily photos, and personalized routines.
- Boarding setups are improving based on recent studies, offering more escape routes and flexible layouts.
- Owners are encouraged to carefully consider each cat’s personality before booking a shared space—not just go by standard recommendations.
Tips for a Smooth Multi-Cat Boarding Experience
Want to help your cats adjust and flourish in boarding? Here’s how:
1. Take an Honest Look at Their Relationship
- Cats who happily cuddle, regularly groom each other, and play together are probably fine sharing space.
- Watch for slow-burning tension—like blocking doorways, quiet hissing, or one cat always seeking space.
2. Pick the Right Boarding Setup
Questions to ask when looking at options:
- Do you provide extra-large condos or suites designed for families of cats?
- Are there enough litter boxes (ideally, each cat gets their own plus an extra)?
- Will there be perches and hiding compartments for each cat?
- If there’s conflict, can the staff separate the cats into nearby spaces without completely isolating them?
3. Prepare Before the Stay
- Keep feeding and play routines as normal as possible before bringing your cats in.
- Bring something from home—for example, blankets, beds, or toys that carry a familiar scent.
- Talk to your vet or staff about pheromone products to reduce potential tension.
4. Communicate With The Staff
- Share any details about your cats’ typical behaviors, health needs, or social quirks. This helps staff act quickly if problems arise.
- Specify your preference for one shared condo or flexible connecting suites.
5. Set Contingency Plans
- Ask to receive regular photos and updates—not only for your peace of mind, but to spot any signs your cats aren’t adjusting.
- Give clear instructions to staff to relocate cats if they seem upset or aggressive, but preferably to neighboring condos for a gentler transition.
The Future of Boarding Multiple Cats
As owning multiple cats becomes more common, pet hotels are innovating. Expect even better facilities soon—bigger, smarter suites, and individualized care focused on both single cats and feline friend groups. Rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach, the trend is to balance scientific findings with what works for your particular cats.
Ultimately, if you decide to board your cats together, consider each animal as an individual and let their relationship guide your choice. A thoughtful, well-planned approach means you can leave home trusting your cats are not just cared for but also truly comfortable together while you’re away.