Tips for Staying in Hotels with Cats

From what to pack, to making special accommodations for anxious felines, get our best advice for staying in hotels with cats.

Staying In Hotels With Cats

When we head out on a road trip with Fish and Chips, our plan is generally to camp the whole time. But we almost always end up staying in hotels with our cats for at least one night so we can enjoy some activities that are not cat friendly.

Over the years we’ve developed a system, and now find staying in hotels with our cats is a breeze. If traveling with your cat means staying in hotels, these tips should help.

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Researching Cat Friendly Hotels

The first thing you’ll want to do is some proper research! Not all “pet friendly” hotels welcome cats, and those that do sometimes charge steep pet fees. You can find this information on GoPetFriendly or the hotel’s website. However you should always call ahead to confirm the pet policy.

Some hotels have pet policies that don’t allow you to leave your animals alone in the room, which defeats our purpose. You’ll also want to ask about any additional fees the hotel charges for pets and parking, because when you add them up it can make a big difference!

If you have multiple hotel options, we recommend choosing a motel or motor inn. Being parked a few steps away from your room makes it easier to bring the cats back and forth to the vehicle, along with their gear and your luggage.

The final step before making your reservation is check the hotel’s online photos for anything your cat will be tempted to destroy. We try to avoid places with carpet and never stay in rooms with leather furniture. Fish and Chips would love digging their claws into that! And, just to play it safe, we bring extra blankets to throw over anything your cat might be tempted to scratch.

Packing For Your Cat

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When packing for a hotel stay with your feline friends, there are few things you won’t want to forget. First is the litter box. Rather than bringing the one from home, consider a compact litter box with a sturdy carrying handle for easy loading and unloading.

If you’re not sure whether your cat will use a new litter box in a new environment, Dr. Elsey’s makes a great cat attract litter that’s worked well for us.

We also bring a litter scoop and waste bags. (Consider buying the thick, scented bags. I promise, you will thank me later!) We keep these two things together in a large ziplock bag to help keep the smell contained.

You’ll also want to pack pet wipes to clean your cat’s paws after a day of exploring, and for any other little messes.

Finally, don’t forget their regular food and some convenient collapsible dishes!

Special Preparations For Anxious Cats In Hotels

We’ve been traveling with Fish and Chips for years, so it doesn’t take them long to get comfortable in an unfamiliar place. However, not every cat settles in as quickly!

If you think your kitty might be nervous in a hotel, you’ll want to be prepared before you go. Bring along some calming treats, his favorite toys, and a cat calming defuser.

You might also consider a kitty Thundershirt, which swaddles your cat to help him feel less anxious.

If you’re concerned about your cat “marking his territory,” it might also be worthwhile to bring some cat-specific stain and odor remover.

Leaving Your Cat In The Hotel Room

Once you’ve checked into the hotel and gotten settled, you might want to leave to enjoy some activities that don’t allow cats. The first time we left Fish and Chips alone, we were a little concerned. It turns out they were so tired from our adventures during the day, they spent the whole time snoozing!

It’s always a good idea to make sure your cat has plenty of exercise before leaving him alone. If you’re not able to tucker him out before arriving at the hotel, bring some toys to keep him busy. And don’t forget to open the blinds or curtains. Our cats are entertained for hours if they have birds to chirp at.

Lastly, make sure to leave the “do not disturb” sign on the door so the hotel staff doesn’t open the door to your room. And leave your cell phone number with the front desk … just in case.

READ MORE ⇒  11 Ways to Tire Out Your Pet In A Small Space

Provide A Cozy Place To Curl Up

If your cat isn’t used to being on a leash, you’ll want to bring a carrier get him safely to and from your car and the room. We often use our backpack carriers, depending on how far the walk is to the room. That leaves our hands free to carry more and make fewer trips.

If you have a carrier your cat feels comfortable in, this can double as a safe, familiar place for him to sleep. If not, bring his favorite bed or blanket to provide a little touch of home.

Staying in a hotel with cats doesn’t need to be stressful if you prepare in advance and have the right gear. Do you have any other tips for staying in hotels with cats? Please share them in the comments below!

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