Why do hotels not allow cats? This is what 90% of cat owners ask themselves when they realize that most hotels cater to dogs. Believe it or not, it is possible to find cat-friendly hotels, but first, let’s look at why your feline friend isn’t allowed inside most hotels.
Most hotels don’t allow pets because they are afraid of the damage, noise, and complaints they may get from other guests. They don’t want their premises to get infested with fleas or get complaints from people who have cat allergies.
Why Do Hotels Not Allow Cats?
A lot of hotels avoid letting animals stay on their premises because they want to avoid any type of legal trouble. Your pet could get lost, hurt or even killed on their property.
Instead of putting their hotel at risk, some hotels won’t even consider allowing pets. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find pet-friendly hotels, I’ll give you some tips on how to do this below.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons that your cat won’t be allowed to stay with you in a hotel.
If you’re wondering if cats are allowed in restaurants, I’ve written a post to answer that question.
Allergies
Cats allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. This means that one out of two hotel guest will have some type of allergy towards cats.
People who are allergic to cats are really allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine, and dander. Cat allergies can make people’s eyes swell, itch and tear up. Some people will even suffer from itchy throats, nose congestion and can even suffer from severe asthma attacks.
This is the reason that people without pets will avoid pet-friendly hotels. Hotels don’t want to risk the chance of losing business due to dealing with these types of problems. Accommodations that are not cat-friendly do not prohibit animals on any part of their premises.
Noise
Residents don’t want to stay in a hotel where they are constantly exposed to loud meowing, whining, growling, chatters, chirrups or other noises a cat makes.
Hotels don’t want to deal with constant complaints from their guests about loud cat noises that are coming from the room next door.
Cleaning
Pet hair, fecal matter, urine can be hard to clean up. Since cats are territorial, some will mark different areas in the hotel. This urine pungent smell can be extremely difficult to remove and most people won’t be able to tolerate the chemical smell.
Standard room cleanings won’t remove all that pet hair, dander, and unexpected cat spraying. They would have to call a professional cleaning service to remove the stains and odors that were left behind by your cat, which would cost more money.
Property Damage
Not all domesticated cats are properly trained. While dogs can be more destructive than cats, it doesn’t mean that cats can’t leave their own damage behind.
If your cat hasn’t been declawed or had their nails trimmed, they can scratch up door frames, cabinets or even molding. Curtains and blinds can be destroyed inside of a hotel.
The cost of replacing damaged property in a hotel can add up quickly.
Accidents
No matter how well the cat is well-behaved, some accidents are unavoidable. Especially, if you’re traveling with an elderly cat, kitten, or a pregnant cat. Yes, you’ll have a travel litter box that your cat can use, but Fluffy may forget where you put it in the hotel room.
Pet urine can soak through the carpet and it may require ripping up the carpet to get the smell out of the concrete below.
Why Do Hotels Allow Dogs But Not Cats?
Believe it or not, some hotels that claim they are pet-friendly only allow dogs, not cats. One that comes to mind is the Westin Jersey City Newport Marriot.
They specifically state that they accept dogs and not cats on their pet policy. In fact, they state that two dogs up to 40 lbs are welcome. Cats are NOT permitted.
A friend asked one of the staff members at the front desk and they clearly stated that housekeeping had an issue with the litter box mess.
Before booking your hotel room, make sure that the pet-friendly hotel actually accepts cats.
Should You Sneak Your Cat In?
I know that it can be challenging to find pet-friendly hotels where you and Fluffy can sleep legally. Especially, if you’re traveling in small rural cities.
I’ve written an article “How to sneak a cat into a hotel” just in case you find yourself staying in a hotel that doesn’t allow your feline friend.
How to Find Pet Friendly Hotels
Okay, now that you know why some hotels don’t allow cats, let’s look at what you do to find some cat-friendly hotels. It’s not hard, but you will need to make sure that you do your due diligence and book your reservation in advance.
Typically, most pet-friendly hotels will allow you to stay in the room for no extra charge.
Step One: Check The Amenities
Most pet-friendly hotels will list all their amenities on their website. Decide what is important to you and find a hotel that has everything you want.
Step Two: Call and Ask
Don’t be scared to call the booking agent of the hotel you want to stay at. Ask them if they allow cats. Remember, just because they say they are pet-friendly, doesn’t mean they are a cat friendly hotel.
You may want to ask them what their rules are and if they allow a certain number of pets per day. If so, you will want to book a few days in advance before your travel date.
Step 3: Search Travel Directories
Search travel directories and online forums like PetsWelcome.com and DogFriendly.com to help you book a night’s stay at a hotel. Visit the AAA website guide “Traveling with Your Pet: the AAA PetBook,” you’ll receive tips on how to travel with your furbaby.
You can also consider checking with the states tourism department website to get a directory listing of all the pet-friendly hotels.
Step 4: Ask Friends and Family
There’s a good chance that you know someone who has traveled with their cat before. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them via social media or phone to ask them if they can recommend some great places for you and your cat to stay the night.
Step 5: Keep A List
You may just have to test out a hotel on your own if you can’t find a good reference from someone you know and trust. As long as you take the time to contact them and ask questions, you should be fine.
Don’t forget to keep a list of the places that you stay at, so you know which ones you would stay at again.
Bottom Line
Just because you love your feline friend, doesn’t mean everyone loves cats. I’d recommend staying at a cat-friendly hotel instead of sneaking them into a regular hotel.
You’ll feel much better knowing that your furbaby is welcome and you’ll feel less stressful if your cat does act up in the room. The best part is that you’ll actually enjoy the trip and there’s a better chance that you’ll take your cat with you on your next trip.
Further Reading and References
ASPCA – Common Cat Behaviors – Urine Marking In Cats