Cat Boarding VS Cat Sitting

Pet sitting

27 Feb 2025

7 min

So, you've decided to leave home. Vacation, a short trip, or a business travel – it doesn't matter. Your suitcases are packed, your flight ticket is printed, and lies between the pages of your passport. You feel your pet rubbing against your leg, and…damn. But what to do with the cat?

Despite the abundance of pet-friendly hotels and establishments, traveling with pets can drain your nerves and disrupt your quiet hours. It's good that the solution was invented long ago: boarding and sitting. But how do you choose the right option? Should you leave your pet at home with a sitter or place it in a facility?

Today, the cat boarding market is a kaleidoscope of new businesses with modern approaches, standard comfortable facilities, luxury hotels, and private entrepreneurs. How do you pick the perfect option for your cat? This article will help you clarify your choice: Let’s analyze pet sitting vs. boarding and choose the ideal place!

What Is Cat Boarding? Understanding the Basics

This name brings together various types of cat boarding facilities. In any case, they have one thing in common: you bring your pet from home to a special place, where you leave them for the duration of your absence. Your home remains untouched since the cat spends time in the facility. Here are the options the market currently offers:

Standard boarding. This is the bare minimum for a pet. Will they feed it there and monitor its safety? Yes. All food, water, and activity standards will be met. But that's all: some facilities offer additional services for an extra fee. In general, this is an excellent option for a short stay of 2–3 nights if your pet does not require much attention.
Hotels for animals. The Hilton of the animal world. Most hotels have luxury services, high-quality food, an individual approach, and comfortable pet rooms. Of course, there are more affordable and standardized options. However, hotels are chosen by the perfect service enjoyers.
Daycare options. This boarding type is suitable for owners who only need to leave their pets during the daytime. This can be only for the morning or evening or the entire working day. These options are usually cheaper, but less common.

These facilities are available in most cities around the world, so you can easily find an establishment that suits your price expectations. On average, standard boarding will cost $ 20-50 per night, and a hotel will be from 40 to 100.

Benefits of Cat Boarding

The choice of accommodation for your cat during your absence depends on the individual needs of the pet and your expectations. We have highlighted several main advantages of this type of cat care:

Safe and controlled environment. Animal institutions were developed specifically for animals and are designed so that pets cannot escape or get hurt. You will also be sure that your cat is under the supervision of professionals.
Social or secluded environment. Most facilities have common areas for socialization and play. If your pet does not get along well with other cats, you can ask the staff for individual play.
Full service package. Basically, all you need to do is transfer your pet to a carrier and take it to a hotel or facility. Professionals will do the rest of the work: you do not need to look for and choose a sitter, prepare the house for their arrival, and even leave food. All these responsibilities are taken care of by the pet care company.

Who is this option for? If you prefer to leave the house empty, or you are limited in time and do not have the resources to look for a sitter, then this option will be your lifesaver. Social cats and young animals will also have fun in the cattery if they get along well with the staff.

What Is Cat Sitting? Exploring In-Home Pet Care

Okay, we figured out what boarding is. But what is pet sitting and how is it different from other services? Basically, this is when a worker sits with your pet individually. This often happens in your home, but sometimes sitters offer boarding at their place. Today, you can choose the following options:

Boarding at a sitter's home. Many veterinarians, sitters, and other animal industry workers earn extra money by private boarding. They create conditions for a cat to live in their home: a clean apartment, free time, games, and walks. A big plus of cooperation with individual workers is the ability to agree on the price and features of boarding: feeding system, routine, necessary procedures, and so on.
Part-time boarding. This is an option for those whose animals do not require much attention but are too stressed to try standard boarding. The sitter visits the animal several times a day to feed, change the litter box, pour fresh water, and play. This option is the cheapest of all since the sitter can work for several clients at once.
24/7 boarding at your home. This is the standard choice of clients who want their pets supervised throughout the day and night. It is perfect for owners of kittens, senior cats, and pets with special needs. The worker will be able to individually play with the pet, feed them with their regular food, and comply with all the requirements for the routine and daily schedule.

In general, sitting is a good solution for those who do not want to give the cat an extra reason for stress. Small towns often do not have a large selection of facilities, while finding a sitter is faster and easier. On average, sitting costs less than boarding: the services of a worker for the night will cost about 30–40 dollars, but the amount may vary depending on the candidate's experience and the state.

Advantages of Pet Sitting

Many owners note that the services of companies are more profitable for them: they provide a full package of services, work officially, and offer to sign a contract. At the same time, sitting has its advantages that are important for your pets:

Minimal stress for the pet. The cat remains in a familiar home environment, which reduces anxiety and allows you to maintain a daily routine.
Individualized care. A pet sitter pays full attention to your pet, monitoring their diet, play, and well-being, and administering medications if needed.
Extra home care. Many pet sitters offer services like watering plants, collecting mail, and checking the safety of the home while the owners are away.
Flexibility and personalization. You can choose a convenient time for visits or the sitter’s stay, negotiate special conditions, the pet’s habits, and the desired level of interaction.

Pet sitting protects your cat from stress, moving problems, and adaptation. Like most pets, cats get used to their owners’ routines, smells, and moods. A new environment can increase anxiety levels, affect appetite and digestion, and trigger aggression and destructive behavior.

Cat Boarding VS Cat Sitting: Key Differences

Okay, we’ve figured out how to understand the features and benefits of different cat services. How do you choose the perfect option for your pet? First, consider all the living conditions of the pet and their character. Second, try to compare the options with each other. You are lucky that we have already made a table with pet sitter vs. boarding:

Feature	Cat Sitting (In-Home Care)	Cat Boarding Facilities (Kennels & Cat Hotels)
Location	Pet stays at home; sitter visits or stays overnight	The pet is taken to a boarding facility
Environment	Familiar surroundings, reducing stress	A new environment may cause initial anxiety
Interaction Level	One-on-one care, tailored attention	Interaction with staff, possible socialization with other cats
Routine Maintenance	Maintains daily routines (feeding, litter, playtime)	Adjusted schedule based on facility rules
Health & Safety	Lower exposure to other animals, reducing illness risk	Strict vaccination policies but higher exposure to other pets
Supervision	Periodic check-ins or full-time care at home	24/7 monitoring by trained staff
Medical Care	Can administer medication as needed	Some facilities offer vet supervision or emergency care
Stress Level	Lower, as the cat remains in its comfort zone	Higher at first, but some cats adapt quickly
Cost	Varies by service level, usually $20–$50 per visit or $50–$100 per night	Typically $25–$75 per night, luxury facilities $100+ per night
Additional Services	Some sitters offer house maintenance (watering plants, collecting mail)	Grooming, playtime, luxury suites, webcams for remote monitoring
Best for	Cats that prefer solitude, older or anxious cats	Social cats, owners needing extended travel solutions

Try to make a psychological portrait of your pet: what activities do they like? How social are they? Do they often require special attention? These questions will help determine the type of company to contact for pet boarding vs. pet sitting.

Pros and Cons of Cat Boarding

If your cat is active and does not require additional care, then boarding will be a good temporary shelter during your absence. Are there any pitfalls to this option? Let's figure it out:

Pros	Cons
24/7 monitoring by trained staff ensures the cat's safety and well-being.	Not suitable for emotionally unstable cats due to high-stress levels, adaptation process, new people, and smells.
Many facilities have a veterinarian on staff in case furry clients need medical attention or checkups. Some medical services are included in the hotel's offerings.	Increased exposure to other animals may raise the risk of illness despite required vaccinations.
Regular feeding, cleaning, and playtime schedules help maintain order.	Routine may differ from home, causing anxiety for cats sensitive to change.
Some cats enjoy seeing other animals and interacting with staff.	For shy or territorial cats, the presence of other animals can be overwhelming.
Allows pet owners to travel without worrying about home visits or sitter reliability.	Requires transportation, which may be stressful for cats who dislike travel.
Many facilities offer grooming, enrichment activities, and webcam monitoring for owners.	Premium services and luxury accommodations can significantly increase costs.
Some budget-friendly options exist, making it accessible for many pet owners.	It can be more expensive than cat sitting, especially in high-end hotels and resorts.

As you can see, the main risk factors are the high price and difficulties for socially unadapted cats. However, if you choose more expensive options, your pet will receive more individual time, which can reduce their anxiety.

Pros and Cons of Cat Sitting

Inviting a specialist into your home is the ideal solution: it reduces the cat's stress level and makes it possible for them to stick to the old routine. Many have invited friends or relatives to sit with their pets, so this familiar scheme has been working for years. Are there any important disadvantages that need to be taken into account when talking about boarding vs house sitting? We’ll make it clear to you:

Pros	Cons
Familiar environment: cats stay in their own home, reducing stress and maintaining their routine.	Lack of constant supervision if the sitter only visits a few times a day.
One-on-one attention ensures the cat's specific needs are met, including dietary and medical care.	Finding a trustworthy, reliable sitter may require thorough vetting and reviews.
No exposure to other animals reduces the chance of contracting infections or parasites.	If an emergency occurs, response time may be slower than in a boarding facility.
Owners can customize visits, request additional services like plant watering, and maintain home security.	Some sitters may have multiple clients, limiting availability for extended stays.
Often cheaper than luxury boarding, especially for multi-pet households.	Hourly or overnight rates can add up, making long-term care costly.
No need for stressful car rides or adjustments to new surroundings.	Owners must ensure their home is accessible and comfortable for the sitter.

Cat sitting is an economical and convenient service for you if you own more than two animals. Firstly, they will stay together, entertaining each other. Secondly, it will reduce the overall cost of sitting compared to facilitation, where you need to pay for each pet separately.

How to Decide Between Cat Boarding and Cat Sitting

Still can't decide which of boarding vs. pet sitting is better? However, the animal's character and comfort do not always play a decisive role. Pay attention to these steps when looking for a place for a pet:

Browse the available options in your city. Favorable deals from standard facilities and unique offers from cat hotels are great. But do companies in your city offer this? Learn more about the services of businesses in your city to understand whether transporting a cat and their stress is worth this decision.
Read reviews from other owners. An outside opinion can greatly help you in your choice. Has anyone encountered a similar problem? Try to find a person with the same breed of cat or a pet with a similar character. If they used the service and were satisfied, you can use this advice.
Think about what is more comfortable for you personally. Are you worried about your furry friend? Do you think that transportation and a new place are too stressful for them? In this case, it is better to choose sitting: you will be more confident that the pet is in good hands, and it will be much more comfortable for you to leave them alone.
Assess your financial capabilities. Overpaying for unnecessary additional services with a limited budget is not the most intelligent decision. Choosing a quality that matches the price is easy if you approach the issue of studying the options wisely and prudently.

Remember that you must work in tandem with your pet to pick a good cat sitter vs. boarding option. Your pet's discomfort or stress can lead to more serious problems that you will have to solve upon returning home. Therefore, make sure the staff is professional and approachable. And hurry back to your beloved kitty!

Find the Perfect Sitter on FlatRover

Thousands of platforms for finding the perfect candidate may be overwhelming for you. How to find your perfect match and save money? FlatRover will be your solution for meeting a temporary friend for your cat. How does it work?

FlatRover connects sitters and owners all over the world. Our sitters are travelers who come to your city and are ready to look after your pet for free. In return, they get accommodation, and you get 24/7 supervision over the cat.

Our platform verifies the candidates' personalities. We have added necessary questions to the profile that will help candidates open up and tell more about themselves. You will find out about their experience with animals, their profession, whether they have pets, and how they are used to traveling.

You can also create your profile, adding information about your home, pets, and their features. Each profile has its own rating, which is formed on the basis of previous interactions and orders. Leave reviews and rate the traveler's work so that others can learn about his successful work!

Join our social networks to find out the latest updates: rates, news, life hacks, and app improvements. Become a part of the FlatRover community and get the perfect sitter!

FAQ

What is the difference between cat boarding and cat sitting?

Cat boarding is the placement of a cat in a special hotel or center in the absence of the owner. In such establishments, the pet is looked after by professionals, providing feeding, cleaning and socializing.

Cat sitting is home care for a pet when a specialist (cat sitter) comes to you or stays in your home to feed, care for, and pay attention to the pet in a familiar environment.

Which option is better for a shy or anxious cat?

For anxious cats, cat sitting is preferable because they don't have to adapt to a new place and interact with other animals. They stay in a familiar environment, which reduces stress. However, boarding may be a more reliable option if the cat requires constant supervision and the owners are away for a long time.

What are the benefits of cat sitting compared to boarding?

The main advantage of cat sitting is minimal stress for the cat since it stays at home. In addition, the risk of infection from other animals is reduced. The sitter can also perform additional errands, such as watering flowers or picking up mail, which is convenient for the owner.

How do I choose between cat boarding and a pet sitter?

The choice of cat boarding vs. pet sitting depends on the character of the cat, the length of the trip, and the budget. If the cat does not tolerate a change of scenery well, it is better to choose cat sitting. If you need 24-hour supervision of your pet, boarding is a more reliable option.