What Kinds of Treats and Food Do You Provide?

Whenever possible, we recommend that cats stay on their regular diet while boarding.

Cats often find comfort in familiar routines, and maintaining consistency with food, treats, and feeding schedules can help reduce stress and support digestive health during their stay.

For this reason, we ask guardians to provide their cat’s usual food and treats whenever possible.

Why Bring My Cat’s Regular Food?

Sudden dietary changes can sometimes lead to:

• Digestive upset
• Reduced appetite
• Food refusal
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased stress during adjustment

By continuing the diet your cat already knows and enjoys, we can help maintain normal routines and reduce unnecessary disruption.

Do You Follow My Cat’s Feeding Routine?

Yes.

We make every effort to follow the feeding schedule, portion sizes, medication timing, and dietary instructions you provide.

Whether your cat is a free feeder, enjoys multiple small meals throughout the day, or follows a highly structured feeding schedule, our team will incorporate those details into their Care Plan whenever possible.

What If I Forget Food or Run Out?

We maintain a variety of foods on hand for emergencies and unexpected situations.

Depending on availability, foods may include brands such as:

• Wellness®
• Orijen®
• Hill’s Science Diet®
• Newman’s Own®
• Friskies®
• 9Lives®

These foods are intended as backup options and should not be considered a substitute for your cat’s regular diet whenever that diet is available.

Can You Accommodate Special Diets?

In most cases, yes.

Many of our guests require:

• Prescription diets
• Limited ingredient diets
• Novel protein diets
• Diabetic feeding schedules
• Kidney support diets
• Food allergy management
• Specialized nutritional plans

Please provide detailed feeding instructions at check-in so we can ensure your cat’s dietary needs are understood and followed.

What About Treats?

Treats are welcome and often appreciated.

Many cats find comfort in familiar treats from home, especially during the adjustment period.

If your cat has favorite treats, we encourage you to send them along with their belongings.

Treats may also be used to support:

• Positive interactions
• Medication administration
• Enrichment activities
• Training and handling exercises
• Emotional comfort during boarding

What If My Cat Is a Picky Eater?

You are not alone.

Many cats have strong opinions about food.

If your cat has particular preferences, sensitivities, feeding rituals, or appetite concerns, please let us know at check-in. The more information we have, the better we can support a successful stay.

Our Philosophy

Food is more than nutrition.

For many cats, it is part of routine, comfort, predictability, and emotional wellbeing.

Our goal is to make boarding feel as familiar and comfortable as possible, and that often begins with preserving the routines your cat already knows and trusts.

A familiar meal can go a long way toward helping a cat feel at home.

Related Articles on Feeding, Appetite & Individualized Care

Food is an important part of routine, comfort, and wellbeing during boarding. These articles explain how Cats in the City approaches feeding plans, appetite monitoring, medical support, and individualized care for every guest.

• Cats Who Refuse Food While Boarding
  Learn how caregivers monitor appetite changes, support eating, and respond when cats become reluctant to eat during boarding.
• Transitional Stress Anorexia (TSA) Protocol
  Understand how early appetite changes are identified and addressed through structured observation and supportive intervention.
• Understanding Boarding Stress
  Explore how environmental change can influence appetite, behavior, and adjustment during a boarding stay.
• Normal Adjustment vs Significant Stress
  Learn how caregivers distinguish expected adjustment behaviors from concerns that may require additional support.
• Do You Care for Cats With Health Conditions?
  Information about medication administration, specialized diets, chronic disease management, and medical boarding support.
• Will My Cat Receive Individual Attention During Boarding?
  See how feeding routines, observation, enrichment, and daily care are tailored to each cat’s individual needs.
• Signs of Successful Adjustment
  Discover how appetite, hydration, grooming, exploration, and routine consistency often reflect growing comfort and confidence.
• Trauma-Informed Boarding
  Learn how predictability, choice, observation, and respectful care support emotional wellbeing during boarding.