How to Prepare Your Cat for a Boarding Stay

Cats are not small dogs, and boarding them calls for a completely different approach. While a dog often adapts quickly to new places, for a cat territory is everything: leaving home is, by itself, a stressful event. The good news is that with the right preparation — and a space genuinely designed for felines — your cat can have a calm, comfortable stay. At Madagascar Pet Hotel we've been boarding pets in Aguascalientes for over 30 years, and this is what our team recommends.

Why do cats get stressed when they leave home?

Cats get stressed because they are territorial animals: their sense of safety depends on a familiar environment with known smells, routes, and hiding spots. A change of territory puts them on high alert — and if there are dogs barking nearby, the stress multiplies.

The most common signs of feline stress are hiding, refusing food, vocalizing more than usual, and over-grooming. That's why good preparation — and good facilities — aim to minimize threatening stimuli and give the cat control over its own space.

What makes a true cat hotel different?

The key difference is complete species separation: an exclusive cat area, 100% isolated from the dog zone, where there's no barking and no canine smells. At Madagascar, our feline area is unique in Aguascalientes and includes:

• Individual suites (or shared family suites if your cats come together) — never traditional cages.
• A catio with solarium: an enclosed outdoor area with natural daylight, accessible during the day under staff supervision. Natural light and fresh air are critical to feline wellbeing on longer stays.
• Climbing structures, shelves, and enrichment toys, because a cat needs height to feel safe.
• Quiet rest areas away from foot traffic, for decompressing between activity.
• Dedicated cat-only staff trained in feline handling.

To see the space in detail, visit our cat boarding in Aguascalientes page.

What vaccines does your cat need to board?

Your cat needs a current FVRCP vaccine and internal and external deworming applied within the last 3 months. FVRCP protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. The feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine is optional but strongly recommended.

Deworming is the mandatory, non-negotiable entry requirement. Vaccination records only need to be shown on the first visit; returning guests are already in our system. As with any vaccine, talk to your vet early so it can be applied with enough lead time before the stay.

What should you pack for your cat?

Pack their regular food, any medications, and one item that smells like home. This is the list we recommend:

• Their everyday food, one portion per day plus an extra day as buffer. In cats, abrupt diet changes easily cause digestive trouble — and a stressed cat that doesn't recognize its food may simply stop eating.
• A blanket, small bed, or an unwashed t-shirt of yours. Familiar scent is the most effective natural anxiety-reducer a cat can have.
• Medications with written instructions. Trained staff administer prescribed medication on the exact schedule you specify. Bring it in its original labelled container. Medication administration is priced by treatment — tell us what your cat needs and we'll confirm the cost when we quote you.
• Vaccination records (first visit only).

We provide the rest: litter box, bedding, bowls, toys, and treats (unless there's a dietary restriction).

How do you reduce stress before and during the stay?

Preparation starts at home, one to two weeks ahead: bring out the carrier early and turn it into a pleasant place, with treats and a soft blanket inside, so the trip doesn't begin with a chase around the house.

During the stay, our protocol is built for felines: calm arrival and handling, a suite with hiding spots and vertical space, supervised solarium access, and consistent feeding routines. You receive daily photos and videos via WhatsApp, and our veterinary team — on site 24/7 — performs a daily health check and monitors that your cat is eating and behaving normally. That last point matters: in cats, not eating can become a medical problem within just a few days.

Check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM, at either of our two Aguascalientes locations: Colonia Héroes (north) and Jardines del Sol (south).

What if your cat is a senior, shy, or has a medical condition?

Senior and special-needs cats are welcome: we board cats with managed chronic conditions and cats in recovery, reviewing each case with you before you book. If your cat is on a treatment, we need a copy of your vet's prescription with the dosing schedule. Medication administration is priced by treatment, and we confirm the amount when we quote you. For cases needing intensive care we'll point you to the right option — call us on 449 448 54 86 and we'll work it out together.

For especially shy cats, a short trial stay — one or two nights before the long trip — works wonders: the cat gets to know the space, the staff learns their signals, and the real stay starts on familiar ground. And if you have two cats that get along, our shared family suites let them stay together, which for many felines is the single biggest stress reducer there is.

Need help with logistics? Our TaxiPet service can pick up and drop off your cat at your home, in specially equipped vehicles with no species mixing in the same trip.

Their first stay, drama-free

A well-prepared cat, in a cats-only space, with staff who speak fluent feline, can go from merely "surviving" a stay to genuinely relaxing through it. Cat boarding is $286 MXN per day, and if you board two pets together for 14 days or more, the lower-rate pet stays free under our 2×1 promotion.

Planning a trip? Book online or message us on WhatsApp at +52 449 448 5486. Our veterinary team is happy to answer questions about your cat's specific situation before their first visit.