Finding a reliable boarder in Singapore to enjoy a worry-free holiday

Cats are easily stressed in new environments. They don't like change - small or large - and living in a new place for a few days to weeks on end without their favourite human(s) gives them anxiety.

It's nerve-wracking for you - knowing this, and yet still sending your cat(s) for boarding.

Will my cat eat? Drink? Use the litter box? Should I bring his litter box to the boarder's house? Food bowls as well? His favourite blankie, toy? What if he gets sick?

At this point, you might start to reconsider your decision to go overseas.

Even though cats are home-bound, it doesn't mean you should be too. You need the break and you deserve the break. Cats can have as much fun on their staycation as you have on your holiday. All you need is the right cat boarder.

Top 5 ways to identify a reliable cat boarder

1. Ask for the number of years of experience as a cat owner and cat boarder.

The more years of experience the boarder has with cats, the more exposure to common cat ailments, and the better able the cat boarder is at highlighting minor issues. For example, a stressed cat may produce soft poo. An experienced boarder will notice this immediately and contact the owner about it. The boarder may also have probiotics on hand to feed your cat.

2. Find out the number of cats the boarder has taken care of

A boarder who has taken care of a number of cats will be adept at meeting your cat at his/her level. Cats have different temperaments and also react differently in a new place. Boarding may reveal a side of the cat that you (the owner) may never have seen before. A boarder who has taken care of many cats will know how to react: leave the scared, hissing cat alone the first few days, check in every few hours to let his/her presence be known, or constantly stroke a scared, hiding cat to let the cat get used to their scent.

2. Check if you'll receive daily updates.

A good boarder should be providing you daily updates on your cat: is he adjusting well? Has she peed or pooped? Did he eat or drink? Confirm beforehand the format that the boarder will be providing the updates - would it just be photos, or are videos included?

3. Confirm whether your cat will be allowed to interact with other pets during the staycation.

Some owners love it when their cats get to interact with other cats, while some owners prefer for their cats to have a private room. You’ll have your reasons. Check with the boarder what their pet boarding situation is like so you can assess on your own. An experienced boarder will be able to gauge personalities and oversee interactions between different groups of cats with no problems. Otherwise, your cat may potentially suffer injuries.

4. Find out what your boarder will do if your cat gets sick.

Part of having a worry-free holiday is not to stress over what happens if your cat gets sick. Check with your boarder to find out what the plan of action is should your cat suddenly fall ill, to get a sense of how prepared he/she is.

5. Assess the quoted boarding price.

A good cat boarder will be charging you at least $25 per night. Even though boarding may seem simple, after all, it's just feeding twice a day, clearing litter box and playing with your cat. The stress of managing a cat in a new environment on top of those responsibilities is what you're paying for. Essentially, you're paying your cat boarder to worry on your behalf. If a cat boarder is charging very little, you'll need to assess the motives behind that, then decide whether you want to risk leaving your cat in his/her care.