First time leaving your cat with someone else? Deep breath — cats have been surviving their humans' vacations for a very long time. Here's everything to sort, pack, and expect.
☐ Rabies certificate. In Ontario, cats three months and older are legally required to have a current rabies vaccination (Regulation 567, Health Protection and Promotion Act). Any responsible host will ask for the certificate before the stay. If the booster lapsed, book the vet now; some vaccines need time to take effect.
☐ FVRCP status. The core feline combo vaccine is widely recommended, and some facilities require it while others keep it optional. Tell your host either way so they can plan spacing between guests.
☐ Medication check — be honest. If your cat needs medication or injections during the stay, most home boarding can't safely take them; you want a medicating cat sitter or vet boarding instead. See the boarding vs sitter guide. Hiding a medical need at drop-off puts your cat at risk — a good host would rather help you find the right option.
☐ Vet & emergency contacts. Your vet's name and number, plus a local emergency contact who can make decisions if you're unreachable mid-flight.
☐ Their usual food — portioned for the stay plus a day or two of buffer, with feeding times written down. Keeping the diet identical is the #1 upset-stomach preventer, and many hosts discount bring-your-own food and litter too.
☐ One unwashed comfort item. A blanket, small bed, or your worn t-shirt. It smells like home, and smell is how cats decide a place is safe. Don't wash it first.
☐ A secure carrier. Hard-sided or sturdy soft-sided, with the home-scented item inside. Leave it open at home for a few days before the trip so it stops predicting the vet.
☐ Care notes. Two minutes, plain language: eating habits, hiding style ("under things for a day, then fine"), favourite games, anything they fear (vacuum, doorbells), litter preferences. The more the host knows, the faster your cat settles.
Leave at home: expensive toys (they'll get lost in a hideout), full litter setups unless asked (hosts have their own), and anything irreplaceable. Most good hosts provide bowls, litter boxes, scratchers, toys and beds — ask yours what's covered.
Confirm the booking and drop-off time. Start carrier acclimation (open, treats inside, no trips). Set aside the unwashed comfort item. If your cat is anxious by nature, read our stress-reduction guide — a pheromone spray for the carrier is a cheap, evidence-supported assist. And skim your host's update policy so you know what to expect — daily unprompted photos are a reasonable standard to ask for.
Normal breakfast (a stuffed cat travels worse). Cats in carriers before the door opens — the classic drop-off disaster is a spooked cat bolting in a parking lot. Hand over food, notes and the comfort item; keep the goodbye short and cheerful. Your calm is contagious; so is your worry.
Then let the first 24–48 hours happen. Some hiding and a lighter appetite on day one are normal settling behaviour, not a crisis — our guide on the signs your cat is settling in shows you exactly what progress looks like in the daily photos.
Book online in a few minutes — exact itemized price up front, rabies certificate upload built in, and daily photo proof that the worrying was optional.
Book your cat's first stayRelated guides: Reduce boarding stress · Signs your cat is settling in · Anxious & senior cats · Choosing cat boarding in Ottawa