Travelling when you have a cat with a medical condition is stressful. Standard catteries aren’t equipped to administer injections, monitor symptoms, or respond if something changes. That leaves many owners in an impossible position: find someone willing to come to the house twice a day, cancel the trip, or worry the entire time.
Our Companion Cat Hotel sits inside Companion Animal Veterinary Hospital in Dapto. That means your cat isn’t just boarding somewhere comfortable, they’re boarding somewhere with a full veterinary team, in-house diagnostic equipment, and clinical monitoring available every single day.
Below, we’ve answered the most common questions we receive from owners of cats with medical needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my cat board with you if they need daily medication?
Yes. Our team can administer oral medications, ear drops, eye drops, and topical treatments as part of your cat’s daily boarding care. When you book, simply let us know what your cat is prescribed, the dosage, and the schedule. We’ll confirm the plan before your cat arrives so there are no surprises.
Can you give insulin injections to my diabetic cat?
Yes. Insulin administration is something our nursing team handles routinely. Diabetic cats require consistent timing and careful technique, and because we’re a full veterinary hospital, we can also monitor glucose levels during their stay if that’s part of their management plan.
If your cat’s diabetes is newly diagnosed or you have concerns about how they’re tracking, this is actually one of the safest environments for them to board in. Our veterinary surgeons in the Illawarra are available on site, not just on call.
Why is boarding at a vet hospital different from a regular cattery?
A standard cattery, even a very good one, is a hospitality business. The staff care for your cat’s comfort and wellbeing, but they are not clinical professionals and are not equipped to respond to a medical change.
At Companion Animal Vet, your cat boards inside a working hospital. That means:
- A registered veterinarian is on site every day during opening hours
- Nursing staff trained in clinical observation are monitoring your cat, not just feeding them
- Diagnostic equipment is immediately available if something changes: blood testing, urine analysis, imaging
- Medications are stored and administered correctly, including controlled temperature requirements for insulin
- Any deterioration is caught early because our team knows what to look for
For a healthy young cat, the difference may not matter much. For a cat managing diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, heart conditions, or recovering from surgery, it matters a great deal.
My cat has kidney disease and needs subcutaneous fluids. Can you manage that?
Yes. Subcutaneous fluid administration is a routine nursing procedure for our team. Cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often receive fluids at home once an owner has been trained to do it, and we can continue that regimen during boarding without interruption.
Please bring your cat’s current fluid bags, lines, and any specific instructions from your regular vet if they’ve transferred from another practice. If we haven’t seen your cat before, we may recommend a brief consult on arrival so we can assess their current condition and ensure continuity of care.
My cat takes medication for hyperthyroidism. Is that straightforward to manage?
Hyperthyroid cats are very common in our boarding guests. Methimazole (Felimazin) and carbimazole administration is something we manage regularly, both orally and in transdermal gel form. We understand that getting medication into a hyperthyroid cat can be a challenge, and our team is experienced in exactly that.
If your cat is due for a thyroid recheck during the boarding period, we can coordinate that as well, which saves you an extra trip after you return.
What if my cat's condition changes while I'm away?
This is the biggest concern most owners have, and it’s exactly where boarding in a veterinary hospital makes the difference.
If our team notices a change in your cat’s appetite, behaviour, weight, urination, or clinical signs, they don’t have to wait until you return or make a difficult decision without professional guidance. The vet is there. Assessment happens immediately.
We will always contact you before making treatment decisions, unless a situation is immediately life-threatening and contact cannot be made. We ask all boarding clients to provide an emergency contact number and to confirm their wishes around urgent care prior to arrival.
Do you accommodate cats who are anxious at the vet?
Yes, and this is something we take seriously. We are a Gold Level Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic, which means our environment, handling techniques, and protocols are specifically designed to reduce stress in feline patients.
Our feline luxury boarding suites are separate from the dog ward. Cats are not exposed to barking or dog smells. We use pheromone diffusers, species-appropriate hiding spaces, and gentle, low-stress handling throughout. We never scruff.
For cats who are medically complex and also anxious, this combination matters. Stress suppresses the immune system, disrupts glucose regulation in diabetic cats, and can trigger flare-ups in cats with inflammatory conditions. A calm boarding environment is not just a nice feature; for a sick cat, it is part of the clinical care.
What should I bring when I drop my cat off?
To make the stay as smooth as possible, please bring:
- All current medications, clearly labelled with the dose and frequency
- Your cat’s usual food (dietary changes during boarding can cause GI upset, especially in cats with sensitive conditions)
- Any written instructions or discharge notes from your regular vet if they’re under specialist care elsewhere
- A familiar item from home, such as a blanket or toy with your scent, to reduce settling time
- Your contact details and an emergency contact who can make decisions if you’re unreachable
If your cat is on a prescription diet, please let us know when you book so we can confirm we have appropriate storage.
How do I book a boarding stay for my medicated cat?
We recommend getting in touch before making a firm booking, especially for cats with complex needs. That gives us the chance to ask the right questions, confirm we can meet your cat’s specific requirements, and flag any additional information we might need from your referring vet.
You can reach us via our contact page, or call us directly on (02) 4261 9838 during business hours.
For straightforward boarding enquiries, you can also book through our website. But if your cat is diabetic, receiving fluids, post-operative, or managing multiple conditions, a quick conversation first is the right place to start.
Is the cat hotel only for cats who are already patients at your clinic?
No. We welcome cats from across the Illawarra, whether they are existing patients or not. If your cat is boarding with us for the first time, we may recommend a brief check-in consult on arrival, particularly for medically complex cats. This allows us to get a baseline picture and ensure the care plan is accurate.
Many owners find that the boarding stay becomes a useful opportunity to have their cat examined by our team, especially for cats who are overdue for an annual health check.
Ready to Book?
If you’ve been putting off travelling because you couldn’t find a safe option for your medicated cat, we’d love to help. Our Companion Cat Hotel is designed for exactly this situation: cats who need more than a cattery can offer, in an environment that is calm, professional, and genuinely equipped to care for them.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your cat’s needs and check availability.
