When you go on a road trip or fly with your cat, chances are that you’ll be staying in a hotel. Cats, and other pets in general, are difficult to get into hotels. But if you know how to work the system, you can get a comfortable room for both you and your cat.
Without proper training, hotel stays with your cat have the potential to be immensely stressful. That’s why we’ve compiled a couple of tips to help train your cats to behave during hotel stays. Let’s jump right in.
The 8 Steps to Train Your Cat to Behave at Hotels
1. Read the Hotel’s Pet Policy Before Booking
The worst thing you could do is book a hotel for you and your cat, only to find out on arrival that they don’t allow pets. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check the hotel’s pet policy before booking.
Give the hotel a call before leaving home to confirm that they allow cats. Be sure to ask about any additional fees, whether you’ll need to pay an extra deposit, and if there are any size restrictions on pets. That way, you can find a pet-friendly hotel that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock
2. Inspect the Room for Potential Hazards
Once you’ve arrived at the hotel, it’s time to do a quick inspection of your room. Look for pet-unfriendly areas like electrical cords and open windows that could be dangerous for cats.
You should also take a look at any balconies or patios on your floor, as this is a common problem with cats. If you are staying in a suite or high-rise hotel, be sure that your cat will be safe on the balcony and doesn’t have any chance of accidentally falling off.
3. Prep the Room for Your Cat
It’s your responsibility as a proud pet parent to ensure that your cat is comfortable throughout his or her stay. That means preparing the room for your cat’s needs in advance.
First and foremost, you’ll want to set up a litter box and food dish in the room right away. Keep these items out of reach of cats so that they don’t knock them over or make a mess. You’ll also want to bring any feline-approved toys and bedding to make your cat feel at home.
It’s not uncommon for cats to feel stressed or anxious in new environments. If that’s the case, consider getting a calming spray or pheromone diffuser to soothe your cat’s nerves.
Take time to introduce your cat to the room to let them adjust to the new environment. Start off by simply opening the door of the hotel room and letting your cat sniff around.
Show them the litter box, food bowl, and toys so that they can get familiar with their amenities. Give them adequate time to explore the room before introducing them to new people in the hotel to prevent overwhelming them.
5. Ensure Physical Activity Before Leaving Your Cat Alone
Most pet owners are too scared to leave their cats alone in their hotel rooms. Who knows what kind of trouble they could get themselves in while you’re away? Fortunately, there’s a tiny trick that works like a charm.
Take the time to exercise your cat and make sure they get some physical activity before leaving them alone. This will tire out your cat so that by the time you leave them alone, all they want to do is get some much-needed rest. Whether it’s playing with a wand toy or taking a long walk around the block, take the time to wear them out and leave them alone in peace.
Image Credit: Noor Khalafy, Pexels
6. Put Up Signs to Notify Hotel Staff of Your Cat’s Presence
The hotel staff are inclined to be hostile to cats they encounter in hotels. After all, it could be a stray that got in somehow, right? To eliminate this unnecessary stress on both you and your cat, make sure to put up signs that indicate your cat is a house pet who belongs there.
Consider putting up a sign on the door of your room or even writing a note for hotel staff. A “do not disturb” sign should suffice, but you can also include your cat’s name to help hotel staff recognize your cat’s presence.
7. Always Clean up After Your Cats
While hotel room service is responsible for keeping the room spotless, it’s up to you to clean up after your cats. This means cleaning the litter box, sweeping up litter that gets knocked out of it, and wiping down food bowls after feeding.
Take extra precautions to ensure that you don’t leave any trash or leftover food lying around for your cat to play with or eat. This is especially important if there are other people staying in the hotel room with you.
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
8. Be Generous to Housekeepers
The housekeeper’s job is to keep the room clean and tidy. Having an extra guest in your room means extra work for the housekeeper. As such, ensure you tip the housekeepers generously for the extra trouble.
Should I Travel With My Cat?
If you're still on the fence about traveling with your cat, here are a couple of tips to help you make the right choice.
Assess Your Cat’s Personality: If your cat is comfortable in new environments, adventurous, and can handle long periods of time alone, traveling with them may be a good option for you. However, if your pet is anxious or fearful, it may be better to leave them at home.
Plan Ahead: Before planning any trips with your cat, make sure that you have all the necessary supplies and equipment to make your trip as comfortable as possible for them. If you’re going on a road trip, make sure that you have cat carriers or car seats for them to keep them safe during the journey. If you’re traveling by plane, always book a direct flight with enough room in your cabin for your cat carrier.
Choose a Pet-Friendly Hotel: Before booking a hotel, do your research to make sure that the place is pet-friendly. This will not only give you peace of mind while you’re away, but it’ll also help ensure that your cat has a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Have the Purrfect Hotel Stay With Your Cat
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, taking your cat along can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the above tips, you’re more than ready to embark on your next trip with your feline friend. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to explore the world together!
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
