Cat Boarding in Nashville: What to Expect

Why Nashville Cat Owners Are Choosing Professional BoardingIf you own a cat in Nashville and travel regularly, you've probably cobbled together some version of a plan — a neighbor with a spare key, a friend who "doesn't mind stopping by," or just leaving extra food out and hoping for the best. For a one-night trip, that might work. For anything longer, it usually doesn't.
Music City runs on travel. Music Row executives, touring industry professionals, healthcare consultants, and everyday residents who simply want a week at the beach — they're all boarding flights out of BNA on a regular basis. That consistent demand has pushed more Nashville cat owners toward professional boarding facilities, and for good reason.

The informal options have real limits. Leaving a cat alone for 48+ hours creates genuine risks: missed meals, no one to notice a health issue, and the kind of stress that shows up as litter box problems or hiding behavior when you get home. Pet sitters are a better option, but during peak travel periods — summer, Thanksgiving, the holidays — they book up fast. A reliable facility doesn't.
What surprises many first-time boarders is that dedicated cat facilities exist at all. Most people picture a kennel and assume it means dogs everywhere, noise, and a stressed-out cat in a corner. That's not how it works at a purpose-built cat boarding operation. At Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming, cats stay in individual condos located in the front office — physically separated from the dog boarding area. Less noise. Less activity. A calmer environment overall.
At $25 per day, professional cat boarding is also more affordable than most owners expect. For multi-pet households near areas like Bellshire or along Dickerson Pike, it's also practical — you can drop off your dog and cat at the same stop rather than coordinating two separate arrangements.
The rest of this guide walks through what a professional cat boarding stay actually looks like — from what to bring at drop-off to what you can expect at pickup — so you know exactly what you're signing your cat up for before you book.
What a Professional Cat Boarding Facility Looks Like InsideMost cat owners picture a row of wire cages when they think about boarding. A professional facility looks nothing like that. The physical setup matters more than most people realize — and the difference between a stressful stay and a calm one often comes down to where the cats are housed.
At Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming, cats stay in dedicated cat condos located in the front office area — completely separate from the dog boarding section. That separation isn't just a selling point. It's the single most important feature of any cat boarding setup. Cats are territorial and highly noise-sensitive. A dog barking ten feet away triggers a stress response that can last hours. Removing that stimulus entirely changes how a cat experiences the stay.
A cat condo is an individual, enclosed space sized for a cat — not a repurposed dog run, not a wire cage from a shelter intake area. Each cat has their own defined space with room to rest comfortably. The front office location at 3541 Dickerson Pike is naturally quieter than the kennel area, which makes it a better fit for animals that don't adapt quickly to new environments.
What separates a professional setup from a makeshift one comes down to a few specifics:

• Dedicated cat housing — not a corner of a dog kennel
• Physical separation from dog boarding areas
• Climate-controlled environment throughout the facility
• Individual enclosures, not shared spaces

Hillcrest accepts all cats regardless of breed or size — no restrictions. Whether you have a large Maine Coon or a small domestic shorthair, the setup works the same way.
For households with both dogs and cats, the location on Dickerson Pike in north Nashville makes this practical. You drop off both pets at one facility, handle one check-in, and pick them both up when you're back. That matters when you're returning from a trip and trying to get home. If you've never boarded a cat before, the front office setup tends to put first-timers at ease too — it's visible, accessible, and calm, which is exactly what a cat needs when they're somewhere unfamiliar.
What to Expect When You Board Your Cat in NashvilleDrop-off at Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming takes about 10 minutes. Bring your cat's vaccination records, and our staff will walk you through the rest.
The first thing we verify at check-in is vaccination status. Rabies vaccination is required for all cats boarding with us. This protects every animal in the facility, not just yours. If you're not sure whether your cat is current, call ahead before your drop-off date. Bellshire Family Vet at 4021 Dickerson Pike is just down the road from us and can get your cat updated before a boarding stay. Don't wait until the day before — veterinary appointments book up, especially around holidays.
Once paperwork is handled, your cat gets settled into their condo in our front office area — physically separate from the dog boarding section and quieter by design. Staff check on cats throughout the day, which means litter boxes stay clean and feeding happens on a consistent schedule.
Bring your cat's own food if they're on a specific diet. Switching food during a boarding stay adds unnecessary digestive stress on top of the environmental change. Our team will follow whatever feeding routine you describe at drop-off. A blanket or small toy from home also helps — familiar scents carry your cat's own scent and yours, both of which are calming and can help first-time boarders settle faster.
What to bring to your cat's check-in:

• Proof of current rabies vaccination
• Your cat's regular food (enough for the full stay)
• A familiar blanket or small toy from home
• Your contact number and an emergency contact
• Any medications with written instructions

First-time cat boarders often worry about neglect — whether their cat will sit alone in a condo ignored for hours. The reality is that staff are moving through the front office area regularly. Your cat won't get the constant attention they'd get at home, but they won't be forgotten either. For cats, which are generally more independent than dogs, a quiet, safe space with consistent care is often exactly what they need.
If you have questions about what to bring or want to confirm current vaccination requirements before booking, call us directly. Getting that conversation out of the way before drop-off day makes the whole process straightforward for you and less stressful for your cat.
What Nashville Cat Owners Should Know Before Their Cat's First Boarding StayThe most common question we hear from first-time boarders: "Will my cat be traumatized?" The honest answer is that most cats settle in within the first day, particularly in a quiet environment separated from dogs. Stress during the first few hours is normal. Lasting trauma is not.
Before you book anything, confirm your cat's vaccinations are current. Rabies vaccination is required for boarding at Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming. If you're not sure when your cat was last vaccinated, Bellshire Family Vet at 4021 Dickerson Pike is close by and can get your records sorted before the stay. Don't wait until the week before your trip — vets fill up fast in summer and around the holidays, especially for Nashville cat owners planning travel around July Fourth or Thanksgiving.
One practical tip most owners don't consider: keep drop-off low-key. Cats read your energy. A prolonged, emotional goodbye can actually increase their anxiety rather than comfort them. Hand them off, give a quick word to the staff about any habits or preferences, and leave. It sounds counterintuitive, but it works.
If your cat has never boarded before, consider scheduling a short trial stay — two or three nights — before a longer trip. This gives your cat a chance to learn that boarding ends with you coming back. It's a straightforward way to reduce stress for both of you before a two-week vacation. For multi-pet households boarding a dog and a cat together, it also lets you test the logistics of a single drop-off before a trip that actually matters.
After pickup, expect an adjustment period at home. Most cats show one of the following behaviors in the first 48 hours:

• Clinginess or following you from room to room
• Increased vocalization
• Temporary withdrawal or hiding
• Overgrooming or a brief appetite dip

These are normal responses to a change in routine. They typically resolve within a day or two once your cat reestablishes their territory and confirms you're back.
There's a difference, though, between normal adjustment and something worth a vet call. Here's how to tell them apart:

• Normal adjustment: Clingy behavior, hiding for a few hours, extra meowing, eating less the first day back
• Watch for these: Refusing food or water for more than 48 hours, labored breathing, visible injury, repeated vomiting, or signs of extreme lethargy that don't improve

If you're seeing anything in that second category, contact your vet. Most of the time, you won't be. But it's worth knowing the line before you pick your cat up.
Nashville's peak boarding windows — summer travel season and major holidays — fill up faster than most owners expect. If you're planning a trip from Green Hills, Brentwood, or anywhere across the city, book your cat's stay as early as you can confirm your travel dates. Waiting until the week before rarely works out in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Boarding in NashvilleMost cat owners have the same questions before their first boarding stay. Here are straight answers to what we hear most often at the front desk.
How much does cat boarding cost in Nashville?At Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming, cat boarding is $25 per day. That rate covers your cat's stay in a dedicated cat condo — no hidden fees for basic care. For Nashville, that's a reasonable rate for a professional facility with decades of experience handling cats.
Will my cat be near dogs?No. Our cat condos are located in the front office area, physically separated from the dog boarding section. Cats don't hear or see the kennel activity, which makes a real difference in stress levels — especially for cats that have never been away from home before.
What vaccinations does my cat need before boarding?Cats need to be current on their Rabies vaccination before boarding. If your cat is due for shots, Bellshire Family Vet at 4021 Dickerson Pike is just down the road from us and can get your cat squared away before their stay. Call ahead to confirm scheduling — don't wait until the week before your trip.
Can I board my cat and dog at the same facility?Yes, and we handle this regularly. Multi-pet households can drop off both animals at our location at 3541 Dickerson Pike in one trip. Your dog stays in the boarding kennel, your cat stays in the front office condos. One facility, one pickup, no coordinating between two different places across Nashville.
My cat has never been boarded before. What should I expect?Most first-timers do fine within a day or two. Cats are adaptable when the environment is calm and consistent — which is exactly why the front office location works well. Bring a familiar blanket or item from home if it helps your cat settle in faster. We've been doing this for 70+ years, and anxious first-time boarders are something our staff handles routinely.
How far in advance should I book?For standard travel periods, a week's notice is usually enough. Holiday weekends — Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, July Fourth — fill up faster, especially for Green Hills and Brentwood families heading out of town at the same time. Book those stays as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
Choosing the right cat boarding facility in Nashville means finding a place where your pet receives attentive care, a clean and comfortable environment, and a consistent routine while you're away. Professional facilities take the guesswork out of pet care, giving you confidence that your cat is in capable hands from drop-off to pickup.
Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming has served Nashville pet owners with that level of dependable, professional care. Whether you're planning a weekend trip or an extended vacation, our team is equipped to keep your cat comfortable and well-cared-for throughout their stay.
Ready to book or have questions about our boarding services? Contact Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming at 615-865-4413 to speak with our staff and reserve a spot for your cat today.